Conservatory roof options compared
Solid, tiled, glass, hybrid or polycarbonate — and which warm-roof system to choose. Here's how they stack up on warmth, weight, light and lifespan.
The five replacement options
Solid / tiled warm roof
The most popular upgrade. The old translucent roof is removed and replaced with a fully insulated structural deck clad in lightweight composite slates or tiles, finished with a plastered ceiling inside. It reaches extension-grade insulation (U-values of 0.12–0.18), cuts heat loss dramatically and silences rain noise — turning the conservatory into a year-round room. Trade-offs: it's the heaviest option (so the frame is checked), blocks overhead light, and needs building-control sign-off.
Lightweight tiled
The same warm, quiet, tiled result using a lighter engineered frame — a good fit where keeping weight down on the existing structure matters.
Glass (solar-control)
Modern argon-filled, low-emissivity, self-cleaning glass keeps the space bright and the view open while reflecting heat. Better than old glass (U-values around 1.0–1.2) but still warmer in summer and cooler in winter than a solid roof. Glass is heavy, so frames usually need reinforcement.
Hybrid (solid + glass)
A mostly solid, insulated roof with shaped glass panels or a glazed lantern — keeping roughly 70% of the daylight while delivering solid-roof warmth. A popular premium choice that avoids dark rooms.
Polycarbonate
The budget like-for-like refresh. Cheap and light, but still noisy in rain, poor at insulating, and only lasts 10–15 years before yellowing. Fine as a short-term fix, not a long-term upgrade.
Materials compared
| Option | Insulation (U-value) | Weight | Lifespan | Rain noise | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polycarbonate | 1.6 – 2.5 | 2–3 kg/m² | 10–15 yrs | Poor (80+ dB) | High (but glary) |
| Glass (double-glazed) | 1.0 – 1.2 modern | 20–30 kg/m² | 25–30 yrs | Moderate | Maximum |
| Solid / tiled | 0.12 – 0.18 | 35–55 kg/m² | 40–50+ yrs | Excellent | Low (add rooflights) |
| Hybrid (solid + glass) | 0.15 (solid areas) | 31–40 kg/m² | 40+ yrs | Good | Balanced (~70%) |
The leading warm-roof systems
A “solid roof” is usually one of a handful of engineered, certified systems. They differ in frame material, weight, insulation and glazing flexibility:
| System | Frame material | Weight | U-value | Guarantee | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guardian Warm Roof | Aluminium & timber | ~55 kg/m² | 0.18 (0.15 opt) | 10-year | Mainstream |
| Ultraframe Ultraroof | Aluminium & SIP panels | ~38 kg/m² | 0.15 (0.12 opt) | 10-yr / 25-yr tile | Premium |
| Ultraframe LivinROOF | Glass-roof chassis hybrid | ~31 kg/m² | 0.15 (0.12 opt) | 10-year | Ultra-premium |
| SupaLite | Aluminium spaceframe | 40–49 kg/m² | 0.15 (0.12 opt) | 10-yr insurance-backed | Mid–high |
| Leka Warm Roof | GRP (composite) | ~34 kg/m² | 0.15 (0.10 opt) | 40-year | Premium specialist |
| Icotherm | FSC structural timber | ≈ glass + a little | 0.15 (0.12 opt) | 10-year | Eco mid-tier |
- Guardian — the widely-fitted, BBA-certified mainstream system; great all-rounder.
- Ultraframe Ultraroof / LivinROOF — premium, with the best integrated glazing and vaulted ceilings.
- SupaLite — handles low pitches (down to 10°) well.
- Leka — lightweight GRP that resists rot and cold-bridging and suits older frames; long 40-year warranty.
- Icotherm — timber-based and eco-friendly, watertight in a day.
How to choose
- Want maximum warmth and a true room? Solid / tiled warm roof.
- Worried about losing light? Hybrid, or a solid roof with roof windows.
- Want to keep it bright and open? Solar-control glass.
- Older or lightweight frame? A lightweight system (Leka GRP, SupaLite) reduces load.
- Tight budget / short-term? Polycarbonate — but you'll likely upgrade again sooner.
Next: see typical costs for each option or check the building regulations a solid roof triggers.
Roof options — FAQs
›Glass or solid roof — which is better?
It's a trade-off. A solid (tiled, plastered) warm roof gives by far the best insulation and a true room feel, but blocks overhead light. A glass roof keeps the space brightest but controls heat less well. Many homeowners choose a hybrid — a mostly solid roof with glazed panels or a lantern — to get warmth and light.
›Will a solid roof make my conservatory (and the room behind it) dark?
It reduces overhead light, but this is easily managed. Integrating roof windows (Velux) or full-length glass panels — or choosing a hybrid system — retains up to around 70% of the original daylight while giving you the full thermal benefit.
›Which warm-roof system is best — Guardian, Ultraframe, SupaLite or Leka?
They're all good; the right one depends on priorities. Guardian is the mainstream, widely-fitted choice; Ultraframe Ultraroof and LivinROOF are premium with the best glazing integration; Leka uses lightweight GRP that suits older frames and carries a long warranty; SupaLite handles low pitches well. A good installer recommends a system to suit your frame and budget.
›Do solid roofs cause condensation or damp?
Not when built correctly. A true 'warm roof' keeps the insulation outside the structure so the dew point sits on the exterior — no internal condensation. Problems only arise with poorly-built 'cold roofs' that lack a sealed vapour barrier and ventilation. Always insist on a proper warm-roof build with a sealed AVCL.
›How long do the different roofs last?
Polycarbonate lasts roughly 10–15 years, glass 25–30 years, and solid/tiled warm roofs 40–50+ years with minimal maintenance.
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