Tiled Conservatory Roof Cost

Conservatories often end up too hot in summer, freezing in winter, and noisy in the rain—all thanks to cheap glass or polycarbonate roofs.

The fix?

A solid tiled roof that makes the space usable all year round. But costs vary widely, from about £6,000 to £15,000+. This guide explains what affects the price and why it’s worth getting a few quotes before you commit.

How Much is a Tiled Conservatory Roof?

You're looking at anything from £6,000 to £15,000 for a decent tiled conservatory roof. That's a pretty wide range, but it depends on loads of different things.

Size is obviously the biggest factor. A small lean-to conservatory that's maybe 3x3 metres won't cost nearly as much as one of those grand Victorian jobs that takes up half your garden. But it's not just about square footage.

The shape matters more than you might think. Simple rectangular lean-tos are dead easy to work on. Those fancy period conservatories with all the curves and decorative bits? They're a proper pain to retrofit and take ages to do properly.

Then there's what tiles you want. Basic composite ones work perfectly well and won't bankrupt you. But if you've got your heart set on proper Welsh slate or handmade clay tiles, you're looking at double the material costs. They do last longer, though, so it might be worth it if you're planning to stay put.

Here's what catches most people out - your conservatory probably wasn't built to take a proper solid roof. Those old ones, especially, were just designed for lightweight glass or plastic. So you might need to beef up the structure first, which can easily add three or four thousand to your bill.

Tiled Conservatory Roof Prices

Here's how the numbers break down depending on what you're dealing with:

For a small conservatory (3x3m):

• Basic composite tiles: £6,000 - £8,000
• Fancy slate or clay: £8,000 - £11,000

Medium size (4x4m):

• Basic composite tiles: £8,000 - £11,000
• Fancy slate or clay: £11,000 - £14,000

Large conservatory (5x5m):

• Basic composite tiles: £12,000 - £15,000
• Fancy slate or clay: £15,000 - £20,000 or more

These prices include having someone who knows what they're doing install it properly. You might save a bit if you're just replacing an existing roof rather than starting from scratch, but don't bank on massive savings if your conservatory needs serious structural work.

The gap between basic and expensive tiles isn't just about showing off either. The pricier ones usually insulate better and come with longer guarantees, which matters if you're not planning to move house anytime soon.

Tiled Roof Supply Costs

It's not just tiles you need to buy. There's timber for the frame, insulation to make it actually work, plasterboard for a decent ceiling, waterproof membranes, and all the screws and brackets to hold everything together.

Just for materials, you're looking at roughly £2,000 to £4,000 for smaller jobs, going up to £4,000 to £7,000 for bigger ones. Basic composite tiles cost about £20 to £30 per square metre. Proper slate is more like £40 to £60. Clay tiles sit somewhere in between.

That's only half your total bill, though. The other half goes on paying people who actually know how to put it all together without it falling down. And trust me, this isn't a job for your mate who's "handy with a drill."

Additional Costs of Tiled Conservatory Roofs

There are always extra bits that can catch you out. Building control approval is basically unavoidable now and costs £400 to £800, depending on your council. They insist on it because you're changing the conservatory from a temporary structure to a permanent one.

If your conservatory needs strengthening work, that's where costs really start climbing. It could be new support posts, better foundations, or a stronger frame. Easily adds two to five grand, sometimes more if it's really old and wobbly.

You'll want to finish the inside properly, too. Getting the ceiling plastered and painted costs another £300 to £600. Lots of people put some LED lights in while they're at it, which is another £200 to £500, but it's worth doing.

Someone's got to cart away all the old roof as well. Usually costs £200 to £400 unless there's asbestos involved, which bumps it up to £500 to £1,500 because it needs special handling.

You might want some roof windows to keep a bit of natural light coming in. They cost £500 to £1,500 each but can make a big difference to how the room feels.

Labour Costs and Timescales

This definitely isn't a weekend DIY project. You need proper tradesmen who understand building regulations and structural work. Most teams are 2 or 3 people charging £150 to £250 each per day, so you're looking at £350 to £650 daily for the whole crew.

How long it takes depends on what you're dealing with. A straightforward small conservatory might be done in 3 or 4 days. Medium jobs usually take 4 or 5 days. Big ones or anything needing structural work could take a week or more, especially if the weather turns nasty.

It usually goes like this: rip off the old roof (half day to a day), sort out any structural work (1 or 2 days if needed), put the new roof on (2 or 3 days), then tidy up inside (1 or 2 days). Any decent contractor will tell you upfront how long they think it'll take.

You'll probably need scaffolding too, which costs £800 to £1,200. Some firms include it in their price, others try to sting you for it later, so check what you're actually getting.

Cost Factors for Tiled Conservatory Roofs

Loads of things affect what you'll pay beyond just the size. The shape makes a huge difference - lean-tos are simple and cheap, Victorian ones with all the fancy bits cost more because they're harder to work on.

How much insulation you want matters too. Basic stuff meets the building regs and doesn't cost much extra. But better insulation costs more upfront and saves you money on heating bills later. With energy prices these days, it's usually worth spending a bit more.

Where you live makes a difference to labour costs. London and the south coast cost way more than up north. It could be 20 or 30 per cent more just because that's what tradesmen charge down there.

Suppose your conservatory's hard to get to or needs lots of safety gear, that pushes costs up, too. And timing matters -winters are usually cheaper because nobody wants building work done when it's cold and wet, but you might get delays if the weather's really bad.

Building Regulations Related to Tiled Conservatory Roofs

Nearly all tiled roof jobs need building regulations approval because you're basically changing a temporary structure into a permanent one. It's a bit of a faff, but you can't get round it.

Building control wants to see plans, do inspections, and give you a certificate when it's done. Takes 2 to 4 weeks and costs £400 to £800, depending on your council. Annoying, but it protects you from cowboy builders and keeps your insurance valid.

Your contractor should handle all this, but it's still your responsibility legally. Look for ones who use systems that are already approved - makes the whole process much smoother.

You might need structural calculations to prove your conservatory can take the extra weight. Particularly important if it's older and wasn't designed for a proper solid roof.

Types of Tiled Conservatory Roofs

You've got three main options, really. Lightweight composite systems are what most people go for - good performance, reasonable price, and most conservatories can handle them without major structural work.

Real slate looks absolutely beautiful and lasts forever, but it's heavy and expensive. Only really an option if your conservatory's built like a tank and you don't mind paying through the nose.

Clay and concrete tiles are the middle option. Looks good, performs well, costs more than composite but less than slate. Heavier than composite but not as bad as slate, so most conservatories can cope with a bit of strengthening.

They all come with insulation, vapour barriers, and everything you need for a proper ceiling. What you choose usually comes down to your budget and what your conservatory can actually handle.

Alternative Types of Conservatory Roofs

Before you commit to tiles, it's worth knowing what types of conservatory roofs are out there. Modern glass with special coatings is much better than the old stuff, though still not as good as a solid roof. Costs £3,000 to £8,000 depending on size and spec.

Polycarbonate's the budget option at £2,000 to £4,000, but if you're already trying to get rid of polycarbonate, you probably don't want more of the same. There are hybrid systems that mix glass and solid panels, or just solid panels that work like tiles but don't look traditional.

Most people find tiles give the best value long-term, even though they cost more upfront. Better insulation, lasts longer, looks better.

Hiring Contractors Checklist for Tiled Conservatory Roofs

Getting the right contractor is crucial because there are some proper cowboys out there. Check they're properly qualified - FENSA, CERTASS, or Competent Person registration. These let them sign off their own work for building regs, which saves you time and money.

Get proper written quotes that spell out exactly what's included. Cheapest isn't always best if they're leaving out essential stuff like building control fees or structural work. Make them break it down so you can compare properly.

Check they're properly insured - at least £2 million public liability. Ask for recent references and try to see some finished work if you can. Local firms are often your best bet because they can't afford to mess you about.

Warranties vary massively. Look for decent cover on both materials (10 to 20 years usually) and workmanship (2 to 10 years). Get it all in writing.

Removing a Conservatory Roof: Considerations and Costs

Getting the old roof off is obviously job number one. Glass usually costs £300 to £600 to remove, polycarbonate's cheaper at £200 to £400. If it's all in decent nick, it comes off easier.

Getting rid of it costs extra. Glass and plastic can usually be recycled, which keeps costs down. But older conservatories sometimes have asbestos in them, and dealing with that safely costs £500 to £1,500.

Sometimes, taking the old roof off shows up problems you didn't know about. Rotten timber, dodgy foundations, that sort of thing. Worth budgeting an extra 10 to 15 per cent for nasty surprises.

Think about timing too - once they start on your roof, you can't use the conservatory until they're finished. Most try to get it weatherproof again within 24 hours to cut down on the hassle.

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