Tiled Conservatory Roof Cost

How Much is a Tiled Conservatory Roof?

In 2025 a tiled conservatory roof will cost anything from £6,000 to £15,000. 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.

However, to provide an idea here are some estimated costs for 3 standard sizes - although end prices may vary, with costs depending on design and materials as well as labour fees.

However, 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 an example of how much a tiled conservatory roof will cost in 2025 per square meter, comparing basic composite tiles with slate and clay (including labour fees and materials):

• Basic Composite Tiles — Between £480 and £890 per m²
• Slate or Clay Tiles — Between £600 and £1,200 per m²

However, your conservatory may not have been originally built to take a solid roof. As in the past, many conservatories were often designed with a simple lightweight glass or plastic. If this is the case, you may need to carry out some additional structural work first, which can easily add an additional £3,000 to £4,000.

Tiled Conservatory Roof Prices

The following costs include materials and labour fees, although prices may vary depending on the style and structure of your conservatory roof and also note that tradesmen rates are often higher in areas such as London and the South East - which can impact the end cost.

Basic Composite Tiled Roof:

Slate or Clay Tiled Roof:

These prices are based on a professional carrying out the work to ensure the tiled conservatory roof is installed correctly.

When choosing more expensive tiles, it's often not just about aesthetics, as a higher-quality roof is likely to last longer and help provide better insulation.

Tiled Roof Supply Costs

Basic composite tiles cost about £20 to £30 per square metre, whereas proper slate is approximately twice as much (£40 to £60, whereas clay tiles can sit somewhere in between.

The following costs are based on materials only. In addition to the tiles themselves, you may also need to budget for the likes of timber, insulation, waterproof membranes and screws/brackets etc. Although you can potentially fit a tiled conservatory roof yourself, there's a lot more to it than you may anticipate and as such best left to the professionals.

Basic Composite Tiles – Materials Only:

Slate or Clay Tiles – Materials Only:

Labour Costs for Tiling a Conservatory Roof

When receiving a quote for the cost of labour for a tiled conservatory roof, here are some points to consider:

• The work usually involves a team of 2 or 3 tradespeople charging around £150 to £250 each per day.
• As such, labour amounts to approximately 20% to 25% of the total cost.
• Location will also impact the cost, with labour fees higher in London and the South East.
• The length of time required to complete the job will increase the labour costs accordingly.
• In the event of needing to hire scaffolding, this may require paying a separate team of workmen.

Timescales for Tiling a Conservatory Roof

The below table shows a rough timescale, based on the size of the roof:

Below is a guide to how long each step of the procedure will take, assuming there is no scaffolding required:

Additional Costs of Tiled Conservatory Roofs

There are often other expenses that can sometimes become an unexpected additional cost. These aren't always the case, but we've added some examples below:

Building Control Approval

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.

Structural Engineer

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. If this is the case, you may need to hire a structural engineer for advice first, which will cost between £300 and £500.

Window Installation

You might want to consider new window costs so that your conservatory can let in a bit of natural light. This makes sense to action at the same time as tiling your roof, costing around £500 to £1,500 but can make a big difference to how the room feels.

Finishing Touches

You'll want to finish the inside properly too, especially if the outdoor work has caused any internal damage that needs touching up. Getting the ceiling plastered and painted costs another £300 to £600 and plastering an indoor wall cost will be cheaper in the long run if you have that done at the same time.

Skip Hire

Someone's got to cart away all the old roof as well. If it's not already included within the quote then skip hire usually costs £200 to £400.

Asbestos Removal

In the event you need to be removing asbestos from a roof, this can increase the cost quite drastically (in some cases as much as £2,000) as it requires special handling.

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 -winter is 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.

Types of Tiled Conservatory Roofs

There are really only three main options to choose from when it comes to tiled conservatory roofs. Each has its own benefits, costs, and suitability depending on your conservatory’s structure and your budget.

Composite Tiles

Certainly the more affordable and most popular option, composite tiles typically costing between £6,000 and £11,000 for a small to medium sized conservatory roof.

Pros

• ✔ Lightweight so no need for any major structural work
• ✔ Perform effectively with good insulation
• ✔ Reasonably priced and popular choice
• ✔ Easy to install and maintain

Cons

• ✖ Potentially not as long-lasting as other options
• ✖ Not always as aesthetically pleasing as slate or clay

Slate

Often considered the premium choice, with this depicted in a cost ranging from £8,000 to over £20,000 depending on the size and complexity of your conservatory.

Pros

• ✔ Extremely durable and long-lasting
• ✔ Natural appearance that adds value
• ✔ Great insulation properties

Cons

• ✖ Very heavy and requires a reinforced structural support
• ✖ Expensive to purchase and more labour intensive
• ✖ Longer installation time due to weight and complexity

Clay Tiles

As the mid-range option, generally costing between £8,000 and £15,000, clay tiles tend to balance durability with an acceptable price point.

Pros

• ✔ Attractive natural look and good durability
• ✔ Performs well in terms of insulation
• ✔ Mid-point option in both cost and performance

Cons

• ✖ May require some strengthening work
• ✖ More expensive than composite tiles
• ✖ Slightly more maintenance required

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Tiled Conservatory Roofs

Usually, most roof replacements count as permitted development. But you definitely need building regulations approval because you're changing it from temporary to permanent. Just check if you're in a conservation area or have a listed building - there might be extra rules.

However, a large majority of tiled roofs need to building regulation approval as you're technically changing a temporary structure into a permanent one.

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.

Alternative Types of Conservatory Roofs

Before you commit to tiles, it's worth knowing what types of conservatory roofs are out there.

Modern Glass Roofs

Modern glass with special coatings is much better than the old stuff, though still not as good as a solid roof. Costs are around £3,000 to £8,000 depending on size and spec.

Pros

• ✔ Special coating can improve energy efficiency
• ✔ Allows plenty of natural light
• ✔ Sleek and modern appearance

Cons

• ✖ Not as well insulated as solid roofs
• ✖ Can be more fragile and prone to damage
• ✖ Typically more expensive than polycarbonate

Polycarbonate Roofs

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.

Pros

• ✔ Most affordable roofing option
• ✔ Lightweight and easy to install
• ✔ Good impact resistance

Cons

• ✖ Poor insulation performance
• ✖ Can yellow and degrade over time
• ✖ Less aesthetically pleasing

Hybrid Roof Systems

There are hybrid systems that mix glass and solid panels, combining the benefits of both for a cost of around £4,000 to £10,000.

Pros

• ✔ Balances natural light with insulation
• ✔ Customizable design
• ✔ Potentially better long-term comfort

Cons

• ✖ Can be more complex and costly to install
• ✖ May require maintenance on both panel types

Solid Panels (Non-Tile Systems)

There are also solid panels available to install on a conservatory roof, similar to tiles but without the traditional appearance. The average cost being in the range of £5,000 to £12,000.

Pros

• ✔ Better insulation than glass or polycarbonate
• ✔ Lightweight alternative to traditional tiles
• ✔ Modern aesthetic options

Cons

• ✖ May lack the classic look of traditional tiled roofs
• ✖ Varies widely in quality and durability

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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