Page 4 - Buyers Guide - Tiled Conservatory roofs November 2018.cdr

Frequently Asked Question.

Do I Need Planning Permission?

Building Control Guidance on Solid Roofs To Conservatories
A newly re-issued guide clarifies how you should go about
replacing a translucent conservatory roof with any
solid roof systems and outlines the conditions you’re expected
to meet to ensure the structure complies with the Building Regulations.

Whilst most existing conservatories will be able to
support the increased loads, potential pitfalls
include inadequate foundations that could move
and cause settlement differences between the
conservatory and the existing house, leading
to cracks and water leakage; inadequate
window/door supports to take the loads.

Always Check

When choosing a solid conservatory roof, you must
always check that your current conservatory is suitable
to be converted.

Any company that carries out the work for you should
be able to confirm and satisfy you that they have
checked the foundations are deep enough and sound to carry the increased weight of their solid roof.
Along with checking your existing window and door frames to make sure they have the necessary strength
and internal reinforcements to support a solid conservatory roof.

What Building Control will look at:

Building Control will inspect the existing conservatory to
ensure it can take the additional load of the new roof.
If there are no signs of distress then it’s unlikely the new
extension should be no worse than before.
roof will cause a failure of the structure to the conservatory.
This should already have been assessed by the surveyor
of the company before carrying out any work.

They will also check that the existing door supports contain
steel inserts to distribute the roof load down to the floor slab.
Again, this should already have been assessed by the
surveyor of the company before carrying out any work.

Signs of distress may mean that the existing foundations
aren’t sufficient to carry the additional loads and so
additional requirements are likely to be imposed on you.

Your Buiding Control surveyor will also want to ensure that the new roof and supporting structure
fully complies with the Regs and the remainder of the extension should be no worse than before.