CONSERVATORIES
SOLID ROOF CONVERSIONS
FOR CONSERVATORIES
There has been tremendous growth in the conversion
of existing conservatories from polycarbonate to more
thermally efficient roofs during the past 24 months.
Not surprising since it is
estimated that there are
approaching 3m existing
conservatory installations
in the UK, many having
polycarbonate glazing that is
too hot in summer and too cold
in winter. This represents good
growth potential for anyone
involved in the conservatory
industry. But
there is some confusion in
the market regarding what the
installer needs to take account of
regarding planning and building
regulations when changing from
a translucent roof to a solid roof.
In this article, PAUL SALTIS,
Director of Connaught
Conservatory Roofs Ltd, helps
clarify what the installer needs
to do when changing from a
translucent to a solid roof.
Do I Need Planning
Approval?
Providing the conservatory
was built under permitted
development, or already has
planning permission, it is not
usually necessary to obtain
further consent when changing
to a solid roof providing that
the roofing materials are of a
similar appearance to the roofing
materials of the existing house.
Visit www.planningportal.gov.
uk or consult your local planning
office.
Do I Need Building
Regulation Certification?
Changing from a translucent
roof to a solid roof is where
there has been uncertainty
and confusion about whether
building regulations are required.
This is as a result of the changes
82
JUN 2014
in part L1B in 2006 where a
conservatory was described in
some detail, with 75% translucent
glazing required to the roof and
50% to the walls. This changed
in 2010 where L1B dropped any
reference to the percentage of
translucent glazing in the roof and
walls. The inference being that a
solid roof could be fitted without
an application for Building
Regulations. The recently
published LABC guide for solid
roofs on conservatories clarifies
the definition on what constitutes
a conservatory or porch:
‘an extension to an
existing building of
which a significant
proportion of
the walls and
roof are glazed’
“A conservatory or porch is
typically an extension to an
existing building of which a
significant proportion of the walls
and roof are glazed.”
And that you need to apply for
building regulations if you wish
to change the predominantly
translucent glazed roof to a
solid roof. The guide is clear on
the need to apply for building
regulations if you are putting a
solid roof on a conservatory:
“However, in some cases such
additional work may mean that
the extension can no longer
be regarded as an exempt
conservatory or porch. For
example, if the heating system of
the building were extended into
the conservatory or porch, the
thermal separation removed, or
the amount of glazing to the walls
or roof significantly reduced, the
exemption may no longer apply
in relation to this work, or to the
conservatory or porch”.
You can download a copy of the
guide from:
http://www.labc.uk.com/Media/
Default/Public%20Documents/
labc_4258%20TechG%20
Conservatories.pdf
Replacing an old conservatory
roof with a thermally efficient
solid roof is a cost-effective way
of improving your customer’s
property. If you are leaving the
existing frames in place it is
worth considering this practical
guidance to ensure your project
and any Building Regulation
application runs smoothly.
• Visually inspect the base to
ensure that it is sound, no
cracking to the brickwork
and the base should not be
“floating” away from the house.
It is worth digging a small pilot
hole to examine the depth of the
foundations, taking photographs
as evidence for your Building
Regulation application.
• Frames should be reinforced,
ensuring that reinforcing to the
corner posts goes through to
the underlying masonry. You
may want to consider replacing
the corner posts with jacking
posts.
• If the conservatory is within 1
metre of the property boundary
you should consider installing
a timber fencing panels if more
than 1m2 of glazing faces the
boundary. This will satisfy the
regulations limiting the spread
of fire across boundaries in Part
B - charred timber acts as an
insulator in the event of a fire.
• Effective thermal separation
should be maintained between
the house and the conservatory,
with a lockable exterior
grade door and thermostatic
control or an on/off switch
to the heating system in the
conservatory. If the conservatory
is to be opened up to the
house then SAP calculations
will be required before work
commences.
‘is a cost-effective
way of improving
your customers
property’
Applying for Building
Regulations
Applying for Building
Regulations is a straightforward
process and it can follow one of
three tracks:
• Apply directly to the local
authority where the work is
being done
• Use a private sector Building
Control company
• Use the partnering arrangement
arranged between Connaught
and Rotherham MBC to fast
track applications and cut
costs.
The Guardian roof fabricated by
Connaught has LABC approval,
ensuring fast track approval for
the roof from structural and
thermal performance perspectives.
For more information on any of
the points covered, contact me or
visit stand 308 at The FIT show.
email: paul@
connaughtconservatories.co.uk
To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com