Glass, Polycarbonate or Tiled: Which Conservatory Roof Suits Us?

Three very different roofs for the same room. A plain comparison of what each one is like to live under and when each makes sense.

Polycarbonate is the lightest and cheapest, and the noisiest and least insulating. Modern glass with a solar control coating is quieter and clearer, with better heat control. A solid tiled roof insulates best and feels like part of the house, at the cost of daylight and weight.

Multiwall polycarbonate sheets of 25mm or 35mm are common on older conservatories. They discolour and lose clarity over fifteen to twenty years, the end caps fail and let insects and algae in, and heavy rain is loud.

Replacing like for like still suits a lean to used mainly as a utility or plant room, where cost and weight matter more than comfort.

Sealed double glazed units with a self cleaning and solar control coating are a big improvement on old glass or polycarbonate. The room stays bright, rain noise drops, and summer glare is reduced.

Glass is heavier than polycarbonate, so the glazing bars need to be rated for it, and it still loses more heat than an insulated solid roof.

An insulated tiled roof is the only option that makes a conservatory properly usable in both January and July. It usually brings the structure into building regulations and needs a frame that can take the extra load. Our separate guide covers that conversion step by step.

Think about when you actually want to sit in the room, which way it faces, and how much light the house behind it gets. A south facing conservatory against a bright kitchen is a strong case for tiles; a north facing one off a dark hallway may be better as glass.

Which conservatory roof is quietest in the rain?

A solid tiled roof by a wide margin, then double glazed glass. Polycarbonate is the loudest.

How long does a polycarbonate roof usually last?

Typically fifteen to twenty years before yellowing, brittleness or failed seals make replacement worthwhile.

Can a glass roof go on an old polycarbonate frame?

Only if the glazing bars and frames are rated for the weight. Many older systems are not, so this is checked on site.

Does the direction my conservatory faces matter?

Yes. Orientation drives overheating and heat loss more than almost anything else, and it is the first thing we ask about.

Not sure which roof to pick?

Tell us how you use the room and which way it faces, and we will talk you through the options that genuinely fit.

Evans Roofing & Maintenance Ltd, Witney, Oxfordshire. Call 07960 482233 for a free written quote.