What Factors Affect the Cost of a Conservatory Roof?
New & Replacement Conservatory Roofs
If you are thinking of buying a new conservatory or having your conservatory roof replaced, how can you calculate how much it will cost to do the work needed?
Here are some factors to help you make the most of your money:
- Size:
Obviously (or not) the size of the conservatory will have a direct effect on how much you need to spend – if you don’t already have a conservatory, then think carefully about the type of “topping” that makes practical sense or that you have a preferences for (glass / poly-carb / tiled / composite panels / part glazed).
- Shape:
Prices vary dramatically on the shape of the roof, a single plane lean-to roof will be less expensive that an ornate Victorian example, the more headroom or more “dramatic” the roofing, the higher the likely costs involved are going to be. (Gable & Edwardian are other examples of high headroom roofing).
- Decoration:
Accessories or finishing items such as fancy ridges, gutters down pipes, fascia etc. can slowly build up the price – go for what suits by all means, but apart from the cost how much does adding fancy bits add to the overall function, look or appeal of your room?
- Materials
Another “obvious” price factor, but there are some items that can be managed to give the same appearance but can reduce or increase costs somewhat.
Firstly the frame construction
- UPVC is very cost effective, but the profile of the frames can be varied and this will impact costs.
- Hardwood – Oak is nice but expensive, so are most traditional hardwoods, but there are options of African Hardwoods such as Idigbo which are less costly and have all the properties and appearance of the more expensive timbers.
- Engineered Wood – this is a fantastic synthetic wood that can be machined into almost any shape or size and is a superb cost effective solution for someone who wants a timber conservatory.
Secondly Tiling or panelling
- Tiles vary in type, from synthetic “slate” to concrete and this impacts not only the price of the covering but also the load bearing structure beneath, will need to be robust to handle concrete tile weight.
- Poly-Carbonate Panels – light weight, shatterproof and cost effective, but less energy efficient that double glazed roofing or tiling.
- Composite Panels – used to replace glazed panels, they are light weight & energy efficient. You could even part glaze & part panel.
- Your Installer
The materials that are used only make up part of the story, you are also paying for labour costs and each installer will have their own charging rates to meet their profit margins.
Choosing someone to install your conservatory should be done with care and is not just about calling the first one listed in the phone directory or shows at the top of the search engine listings (these are normally paid adverts in the case of the web search engines).
- You need to get multiple quotes – the only way to judge the pricing structure of one company is to compare it against a similar company.
- You need a certified installer – if they are not registered with at least one major trade body, such as GGF, FENSA or DGCOS don’t consider them to quote.
High prices don’t necessarily mean high quality & low prices does not always mean you are buying rubbish. Judge each company on its own merits and insist on references from previous happy customers that are in your locale.