Conservatory Roof Replacement Cost UK (2026): Tiled vs Glass

How much does a conservatory roof replacement cost?

The price depends on three things: what you are replacing the roof with, how big and complex the roof is, and whether the existing frames and base need work before they can carry it. A straight swap of tired polycarbonate for new polycarbonate is a small job. Converting a glazed roof to a lightweight tiled roof with a plastered ceiling is a building project that needs a structural check and building regulations approval.

Published 2026 figures agree on the order of costs but not the exact numbers. BestBuilders (August 2026) gives £6,000–£15,000 for a solid tiled roof and ExpertSure (October 2026) £6,100–£15,000, while the Federation of Master Builders quotes from about £4,000. Our ranges below take in all of these.

Conservatory roof replacement cost by roof type

Roof type	Typical fitted cost	Approx. cost per m²	U-value (lower is warmer)	Building regs?
Polycarbonate (like-for-like)	£1,500 – £6,500	£200 – £350	about 1.0 – 1.6	Usually no
Glass (solar control, self-cleaning)	£3,000 – £9,500	£350 – £550	about 1.0 – 1.2	Usually no
Hybrid (solid with glazed panels)	£5,500 – £13,500	£500 – £900	Varies by system	Usually yes
Insulated panel roof	£4,500 – £9,000	Varies	about 0.15	Usually yes
Lightweight tiled (solid)	£4,000 – £15,000	£650 – £1,200	about 0.15 – 0.18	Yes
Roof windows in a tiled roof	+£600 – £1,400 each	n/a	n/a	Part of the same approval

Tiled conservatory roof cost

A lightweight tiled roof replaces the glazing bars and panels with an insulated timber or aluminium frame, finished outside with lightweight synthetic or composite tiles or slates and inside with plasterboard and a skim coat. Several branded warm-roof systems are sold through networks of approved installers, and the main differences between them are the frame material, the tile finish and how fast they go up. Manufacturer data quoted by less.co.uk gives U-values of roughly 0.15–0.18 W/m²K for these systems, compared with around 1.0 for double-glazed glass.

The tiled conservatory roof cost for a typical 3m × 3m to 4m × 4m conservatory is about £6,000–£13,000 fitted. The price usually includes removal of the old roof, insulation, the internal plaster finish, guttering and fascias. Downlights, roof windows and any frame strengthening are commonly extras.

Solid conservatory roof cost vs hybrid and panel roofs

“Solid roof” is used loosely. Strictly, the solid conservatory roof cost covers three different products. A fully tiled roof gives the best insulation and looks most like an extension. A hybrid roof keeps glazed sections or a lantern within a solid roof to let light in, and costs about the same. Insulated aluminium panel roofs are lighter and quicker to fit (less.co.uk reports 2–3 days for one leading panel system against 4–5 days for some tiled systems), at an average of about £6,750 for a medium conservatory.

Glass conservatory roof replacement

A glass conservatory roof replacement suits you if you want to keep the light but fix leaks, condensation or glare. Modern solar-control, self-cleaning units are much better than the plain glass of 20 years ago, though they still overheat more than a solid roof. Expect £3,000–£9,500 depending on size. A like-for-like glass swap is normally treated as a repair, so it does not usually need building regulations approval.

How much to replace a polycarbonate conservatory roof?

If you simply want to replace a polycarbonate conservatory roof with new polycarbonate, it is the cheapest option at about £1,500–£3,500 for a small or medium conservatory and up to about £6,500 for a large one. Thicker 35mm sheets perform a little better than 25mm, but polycarbonate is still noisy in rain and loses heat fast. Many homeowners decide that once the old sheets are coming off anyway, it is worth paying the extra for glass or a solid roof.

Conservatory roof replacement cost by size

Bigger roofs cost more in total but less per square metre, because scaffolding, removal, set-up and the minimum charge are fixed. ExpertSure puts the minimum project cost at about £2,000–£3,000.

Conservatory size	Floor area	Polycarbonate	Glass	Lightweight tiled
3m × 3m	9m²	£1,500 – £3,500	£3,000 – £5,200	£4,000 – £9,000
3.5m × 3.5m	12m²	£2,000 – £4,000	£4,000 – £6,500	£6,000 – £10,500
4m × 4m	16m²	£3,000 – £5,000	£4,500 – £7,500	£8,000 – £13,000
5m × 4m	20m²	£3,500 – £6,000	£5,500 – £9,000	£10,000 – £15,000
5m × 5m	25m²	£4,500 – £6,500	£6,000 – £9,500	£12,000 – £15,000+

Cost by conservatory style

Roof shape matters as much as floor area. A lean-to has one sloping plane and is the cheapest to re-roof. Edwardian and Victorian roofs are hipped, with more cuts, ridges and hips; ExpertSure estimates they cost 10–20% more than a lean-to of similar size. P-shaped and L-shaped roofs combine two roof forms with a valley between them and are the most expensive.

Style and typical size	Glass replacement	Lightweight tiled roof
Lean-to, 3m × 3.5m	£3,500 – £6,000	£6,000 – £9,500
Edwardian, 4m × 4m	£4,500 – £8,000	£8,000 – £14,500
Victorian, 4m × 4m	£5,000 – £8,500	£8,500 – £14,500
P-shaped, about 20–25m²	£6,500 – £10,000	£12,000 – £18,000+

Checkatrade’s own figures sit at the top of the market: an average of about £12,000 for a tiled roof on a 4m × 4m Victorian, with glass roofs on its figures costing more than tiled. Other sources consistently price glass below tiled, so treat Checkatrade’s glass figures with caution.

Conservatory roof insulation cost: the cheaper alternative

If a new roof is out of budget, you can insulate the existing one from inside. Installers fix battens to the glazing bars, add multi-foil or rigid insulation, and finish with uPVC cladding, aluminium panels or plasterboard and skim. The glass or polycarbonate stays on the outside.

Conservatory size	uPVC or aluminium panel finish	Plastered finish
3m × 2m	£800 – £1,200	£1,100 – £1,650
3m × 3m	£1,050 – £1,450	£2,200 – £2,750
4m × 4m	£2,100 – £3,400	£3,250 – £4,100
6m × 4m	£2,900 – £3,950	£5,000 – £5,400

The conservatory roof insulation cost is a fraction of a new roof and the work takes 1–3 days. The downsides: it does not stop the roof leaking if the outer covering has failed, it does not hold a steady temperature as well as a proper warm roof, and it takes away most of the light. On building regulations, sources disagree. BestBuilders says internal ceilings normally do not need approval, but LABC has said that insulating a conservatory roof takes it out of its exemption. Ask your local building control team before you commit.

Can my frames and dwarf walls take a solid roof?

This is the most important question, and only a survey can answer it. A tiled roof is heavier than glass or polycarbonate and puts more load on the window frames, corner posts, dwarf walls and foundations. LABC’s guidance for building control surveyors says they will look at:

• Signs of distress in the existing structure, such as cracked brickwork, bowed frames or doors that stick. If there are none, a lightweight roof is unlikely to cause failure.
• Frame and post reinforcement, for example whether door frames and corner posts have steel inserts that carry the roof load down to the slab.
• Foundations, because shallow or poorly built bases can settle unevenly and crack.

Most lightweight systems sit on a new ring beam fixed around the top of the frames, which spreads the load. If the frames need extra posts or reinforcing, BestBuilders estimates £800–£2,500 on top of the roof price. If the frames are old, single-glazed or failing, or the base has moved, re-roofing alone is poor value. Replacing the whole conservatory or building an extension may cost less in the long run (see alternatives below).

Regional conservatory roof replacement costs

Roof systems are made in factories, so regional differences mainly come from labour rates. Here is a lightweight tiled roof on a typical 12m² conservatory:

Region	Lightweight tiled roof, about 12m² (inc. VAT)
London	£8,750 – £13,750
South East	£7,850 – £12,300
South West & East of England	£7,300 – £11,450
Midlands	£6,850 – £10,800
North of England & Wales	£6,450 – £10,100
Scotland & Northern Ireland	£6,700 – £10,550

Full cost breakdown

Cost item	Typical cost	Notes
New roof system, supplied and fitted	£1,500 – £15,000	Depends on type and size (see tables above)
Removing and disposing of the old roof	Usually included; skip £120 – £300 if not	Check the quote
Scaffolding	£400 – £800	Not always needed on a lean-to
Frame or base strengthening	£800 – £2,500	Only if the survey says so
Internal plastering and decoration	Often included with tiled roofs	Allow for painting
LED downlights	£300 – £600	Must be installed by a registered electrician (Part P)
Roof windows or lantern	£600 – £2,000	Restores light to a solid roof
Building control fee	About £300 – £700	Varies by council; often arranged by the installer
Contingency	10%	For hidden rot, frame repairs or drainage

Building regulations for a new conservatory roof

A conservatory is normally exempt from building regulations if it is at ground level, under 30m², separated from the house by external-quality walls, doors or windows, has independent heating, and its glazing and electrics comply. Building control bodies generally treat a structure as a conservatory only when most of its roof is glazed or translucent. Ultraframe’s trade guidance gives roughly three-quarters of the roof and half of the new wall area as the usual test.

That has two consequences:

• Like-for-like replacement (polycarbonate for polycarbonate, glass for glass) is generally treated as a repair and does not need approval.
• Converting to a solid or tiled roof normally takes the building out of the exemption, so it needs building regulations approval. The Planning Portal says any new roof must meet the regulations on structure, energy efficiency and ventilation, and the FMB and less.co.uk both say a solid roof will usually need approval. LABC notes that Approved Document L treats adding an insulated roof to a previously exempt conservatory as building work.

In practice, reputable installers submit a building notice or use a roof system that already has LABC certification. That makes approval simpler but it is still needed. Ask for the completion certificate at the end, because a buyer’s solicitor will ask for it. If you also remove the doors between the house and the conservatory, it becomes part of the house for building regulations purposes. The walls, glazing and heating may then need upgrading too, which is effectively an extension project.

Do you need planning permission to replace a conservatory roof?

Usually not. The Planning Portal says most roof alterations count as permitted development if they stay within the legal limits, but planning permission may be needed if the change “significantly alters” the roof’s structure or appearance. Permitted development rights are often restricted in conservation areas, National Parks, National Landscapes (AONBs), World Heritage Sites and areas covered by an Article 4 direction, and listed buildings need listed building consent. If the original conservatory went beyond the permitted development limits when it was built, check its planning history before raising the roof height. Our extension planning permission guide explains the size limits.

How long does a conservatory roof replacement take?

1. Survey and quote: one visit, with a structural assessment for solid roofs
2. Building control notice and manufacture: commonly several weeks, depending on the system and installer’s lead times
3. On site: 1–2 days for polycarbonate, 2–3 days for glass, and about 3–5 days for a tiled or solid roof including plastering (less.co.uk, BestBuilders, Checkatrade)
4. Drying and decorating: a few extra days for plaster to dry before painting

What affects the price?

Roof shape and pitch

Hips, valleys and box gutters all add labour and materials. Low-pitched lean-to roofs may not suit every tiled system, so ask the installer what minimum pitch their product needs.

Condition of the frames and base

Rotten timber, damaged frames or a moving base can add strengthening costs or rule out a solid roof altogether.

Light and finish

Roof windows, glazed panels and lanterns bring light back into a solid roof but add £600–£2,000 each. Downlights, coloured fascias and premium tile finishes add more.

How to save money

• Match the roof to the problem. A leaky but otherwise sound glass roof may only need new seals or a glass swap, not a tiled roof.
• Get at least three quotes that list the system name, U-value, strengthening, plastering, electrics, building control and VAT separately.
• Consider internal insulation if you mainly want to cut winter heat loss and summer glare and the outer roof is still watertight.
• Book outside spring and summer when roofing installers are less busy.

Is a new conservatory roof worth it?

For most people the payback is comfort first and money second. A room that is too hot in July and too cold in January is effectively wasted floor space. less.co.uk estimates heating savings of about £200–£400 a year from a well-insulated roof, and Checkatrade quotes around £200. On resale, BestBuilders’ 2026 analysis suggests a basic polycarbonate-roof conservatory roughly breaks even, while a solid-roof conservatory that can be used all year adds about £5,000–£12,000. A completion certificate and a transferable guarantee help with that value.

Alternatives: replace the whole conservatory or build an extension

If the frames are failing, the base has moved or you want the room to open into the kitchen, compare the roof price against bigger options:

• A new conservatory with a solid roof from the start. The FMB gives £8,000–£17,000 for a uPVC lean-to and £10,000–£15,000 for a basic uPVC conservatory. See our conservatory cost guide, including the cheaper lean-to conservatory option.
• An orangery, with brick piers and a flat roof around a lantern, is warmer and more like a proper room. See our orangery cost guide.
• A single storey extension on new foundations. Our calculator puts a 16m² standard single storey extension at about £44,500–£59,000 all-in in the Midlands. See the single storey extension cost guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth replacing a conservatory roof with a solid roof?

Usually yes, if the frames and base are sound and you want to use the room all year. A lightweight tiled roof has a U-value of about 0.15–0.18 W/m²K compared with around 1.0 for glass, which makes the room far warmer in winter and cooler in summer. If the frames are failing, put the money towards a new conservatory or an extension instead.

Do I need building regulations to replace my conservatory roof?

Not for a like-for-like glass or polycarbonate replacement, which is treated as a repair. Replacing a glazed roof with a solid or tiled roof normally needs building regulations approval, because the structure no longer counts as a conservatory and the new roof must meet structural and energy requirements.

How much does a tiled conservatory roof cost for a 3m × 3m conservatory?

About £4,000–£9,000 fitted including VAT, depending on the system and the source. Larger 4m × 4m roofs are typically £8,000–£13,000. Frame strengthening, if needed, adds £800–£2,500.

Can you put a solid roof on any conservatory?

No. The existing frames, corner posts, dwarf walls and foundations must be able to take the extra weight. Building control looks for signs of distress and may want posts reinforced. Very old or poor-quality conservatories may not be suitable.

How long does it take to replace a conservatory roof?

One to two days for polycarbonate, two to three days for glass and about three to five days for a tiled roof, plus drying time for plaster.

Is it cheaper to insulate a conservatory roof or replace it?

Insulating from inside is much cheaper, at about £1,000–£4,100 for most sizes, against £6,000 or more for a tiled roof. It will not fix a leaking roof and does not perform as well as a proper warm roof. Check with building control first, as guidance differs on whether it needs approval.

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