Time to sort the conservatory...

Hi all,

Got a few queries about conservatory improvements that I’d like to band about here as it’s useful to get a range of opinions. Did start looking last this a year or so ago, but got put on the back burner while we did other things.

We’ve got a 9m x 3m conservatory coming off the kitchen, about 4 courses of bricks then floor to roof windows on all 3 sides, panes are around 1.5m wide. Polycarbonate roof, very low pitch roof (Ultralite 500). The division between the conservatory/kitchen was removed before we bought the properly, so there is about a 4.5m opening to the kitchen. All the usual problems, extreme temp fluctuation, condensation, etc. Been living with it for the last few year while we’ve been updating the rest of the house, now it’s time to get something sorted.

Got a few quotes on the way for a new extension to replace it, but a couple of people have mentioned some alternatives and wondered if they were viable.

1. someone’s suggested replacing the roof with Ultralite ‘living roof’ or using ‘Cozyroof’ or something similar, anyone have any experience with these? Appreciate this would probably help, but I’d still be concerned with the huge expanse of glass all around.

2. a friend has mentioned it might be worth updating the glazing panels as well, while they’re not obviously failing they are about 12 years old now. Would this make much difference? Possibly combined with the above?

Obviously the goal is to make it year round habitable without costing too much.

Any other suggestions appreciated.

Folding patio doors?

Appreciate that would be the simplest and most sensible option. But we're not happy about putting the divide back and would rather work around keeping the overall layout as it is. Thanks anyway.

replace with an orangery -maybe flat roof with lantern or veluxes

I doubt if upvc frames could support a flat roof so you may need to replace side frames.

If you do properly with building regs, you may need to dig up floor as it prob wont have enough insulation.

I was just wondering if anyone had any experience as to whether replacing the roof and glazing would make a big difference and make the space more habitable. Still working on costs at the moment, but it's looking to be about a 3rd of the cost of an extension.

@Notch7, agree about a traditional roof and the weight, that's why we were looking at these lightweight thermal roofs. Floor is being replaced either way, condensation from the existing conservatory has ruined it.

Look what I did to mine last year (it's in projects), albeit mine was different construction to yours.

Lightweight tiles, 2x velux windows, 100mm celotex between rafters, overboarded with 40mm. Made a massive difference to the room.

Appreciate the reply. Would love to be able to do something that, but there is no blockwork to support anything. Also, because it's a bungalow and the current roof meets the house at the level the roof finishes, there's a really shallow pitch on the roof. It only drops about 30cm over 3m. I've attached an old image, you can see what I mean.