Page 5 - Buyers Guide - Tiled Conservatory roofs November 2018.cdr

Introduction

Many conservatories are now reaching the end of their natural life
or are costing substantially more to heat than previously. Homeowners are looking for a cost effective
way of retaining existing floor space whilst improving the energy efficiency of the structure.

To meet this need homeowners are choosing to replace obsolete translucent roofs with solid ones. This
guidance has been produced to advise and inform suppliers, builders, architects and design
consultants on the Building Regulations that will apply to the replacement of a translucent roof to a
conservatory or porch with a solid roof.

The preferred option for many homeowners is a lightweight composite solid roof. Some roofs have
a LABC Registered Detail that provides an approved design, quality control and accredited installation.
Other options may simply underdraw or overclad existing polycarbonate roofs. Or replace the existing
roof with a traditional tiled roof that may not have taken into account the adequacy of the existing
structure to carry increased loading.

Did you know? Potential pitfalls
New conservatories and porches less There are several methods of reroofing an existing structure
than 30m2 in floor area and thermally on the market - the easiest and often cheapest way is
separated from the main house with simply to wrap a new roof over and under the existing
external quality doors and windows are roofing system. However, this method is the most likely to
exempt from the requirements of the overstress the existing roof and wall structure and great
Building Regulations 2010 (as amended). care is needed.

However if you are planning to reroof an If you are offered this solution, you should ensure the
existing conservatory with a solid roof company quoting to do the work can evidence the stability
rather than a translucent roof, then a of the structure with the increased loading and satisfy
Building Regulation Application is required. both you and your local authority building control team
This is because conservatories and of its adequacy. If the roof is an existing polycarbonate
porches are traditionally lightweight in roof it is very unlikely that this method can be done safely
nature and not generally designed to and you should not commit to any expense until you are
carry the weight of a solid roof. Therefore, satisfied that it has been shown to be effective. There is
there is a real possibility of movement or also potential to introduce a condensation problem that
even collapse and the application is needed will inevitably occur if plasterboard is applied to the
to ensure that this will not occur. underside of the existing roof with little or no
insulation above it.
Registered Detail certification
Other methods require removal of the existing roof and
LABC offers Registered Detail certification to
companies that undertake this type of project. replacing it with a new roof that is supported by a
For those operating nationally, a partner reinforced eaves beam. This transfers the additional
scheme also allows installers to submit weight either through vertical supports within the existing
applications on your behalf and ensure windows or by new columns introduced either inside or
outside of the structure. It is important to ensure that
certification is provided to you at completion
of the project. existing foundations can carry this weight so a trial hole
is also needed to check adequacy.
Not only is each application checked for
structural analysis and thermal compliance Salesmen visiting your property to quote for the work
should be able to reassure you that they can provide
of the new structure, local authority surveyors
will visit your site to ensure the work is you with this end-to-end certified service. If they can’t
installed properly and in compliance with then you need to check further, otherwise you may be
the Building Regulations to provide you with left with something that could become a real danger when
complete confidence in the work. Details of snow and wind loads are applied to a structure incapable
of carrying the additional weight.
companies holding Registered Detail
certification can be found at
www.labc.co.uk/registereddetails or b
asking your local authority building control team. source: LABC VIEWPOINT