Upgrading Your Conservatory Roof With Polycarbonate 

Whether you are reading this as a homeowner with an interest in upgrading your existing conservatory, or perhaps a construction professional or property developer comparing options for roofing in this part of the home, there are number of reasons why a polycarbonate conservatory roof might make sense.

Polycarbonate is, after all, a highly affordable, lightweight, and impact-resistant plastic. So, purchasing great-looking and attractively priced polycarbonate conservatory roof panels for this area of your property could turn out to be money well spent.

If, then, upgrading your conservatory’s roof to a polycarbonate one is an option you are seriously considering, what are some of the most important things to know? Our team at Varico has set them out.

What is a polycarbonate conservatory roof?  

Polycarbonate is a versatile thermoplastic that has become particularly strongly associated with conservatories down the years. Its rise to prominence was fuelled by such factors as its relative affordability, light weight, and robustness.

The economic attractiveness of polycarbonate conservatory roof panels is undeniable. However, polycarbonate is also a strong material, with the ability to stand up to rain and other environmental conditions. Furthermore, it is translucent, which allows for natural light to flood into the conservatory’s interior space.

What are the advantages of having a polycarbonate roof for your conservatory?  

Here are some of the greatest benefits of having a polycarbonate conservatory roof fitted:

• Strength: there are good reasons why this thermoplastic is used to produce impenetrable windows and police shields – it really is very strong.
• Affordability: you could be paying about three to five times more to have a glass roof fitted to your conservatory, than would be the case if you opted for polycarbonate conservatory roof panels.
• Weather resistance: in a country like the UK where the weather can change so swiftly and unpredictably, the composition of a polycarbonate conservatory roof allows it to stand up well to all manner of conditions. That encompasses the likes of ultraviolet (UV) rays, rain, snow, and both hot and cold temperature extremes.
• Low maintenance: in common with most plastics, polycarbonate requires very little maintenance. Unlike the situation with glass, you don’t need to constantly wash it to keep it clear, and any dirt that does accumulate on it isn’t immediately obvious.
• Long lifespan: an approximately 25-year life expectancy is typical for a polycarbonate conservatory roof. So, if you don’t want to have to worry about replacing your conservatory roof for a very long time, polycarbonate could be the ideal choice.

Replacing your conservatory's polycarbonate roof

If you know that your conservatory’s existing roof – perhaps a glass or tiled one – is approaching the point where it will need to be replaced, polycarbonate may be an excellent material to consider.

Although it is true that a replacement polycarbonate conservatory roof would be cheaper than any other option, its multi-decade typical lifespan makes it very far from a “bargain bin” roofing material. Indeed, as polycarbonate technology continues to advance, the life expectancy of polycarbonate conservatory roof panels is only getting even longer.

Furthermore, a polycarbonate conservatory roof is relatively quick and easy to install. So, if you have this roofing material fitted, it won’t be long before your conservatory is ready to use once more.

Benefits of replacing your conservatory roof with polycarbonate

You could, of course, replace your current conservatory roof with another glass or tiled one, instead of switching to polycarbonate. However, there are some definite advantages of opting for a replacement polycarbonate conservatory roof, such as:

• Polycarbonate works well aesthetically and practically with any style or design of conservatory. So, whether you have a modern wooden conservatory, or perhaps a Victorian-style or Edwardian-style one, polycarbonate could still be the best all-round option.
• Polycarbonate is the most cost-effective available material for replacing a conservatory roof, thanks to its combination of an affordable purchase price and a typical lifespan of several decades.
• Such is the ever-greater energy efficiency of modern materials such as polycarbonate, a replacement polycarbonate conservatory roof could save hundreds of pounds on annual utility costs.
• A conservatory that has a pleasing-looking, practical, and long-lasting polycarbonate roof fitted – especially if it was only installed recently – will help make your property more attractive to potential buyers. It could even add to the price someone is willing to pay for your home.

Considerations on polycarbonate roof replacement

When you are thinking of investing in a replacement polycarbonate conservatory roof, you will need to bear certain factors in mind. These include:

• Climate: whatever roofing material you choose should be capable of standing up to the usual weather conditions in your local area.
• Usage: whether you intend to use your conservatory in a similar way right through the year, or instead as a seasonal retreat, could have implications for the roofing material you decide on.
• Budget: whatever roofing material you choose will need to make sense financially – not just in terms of the initial purchase price, but also the cleaning, maintenance and replacement requirements over time.
• Options: when you are comparing the possibilities for your replacement conservatory roof, you will probably be choosing from a glass, tiled, or polycarbonate roof. These materials vary with regard to their cost, durability, security, and insulation. So, you will need to consider your priorities carefully.
• Colours: polycarbonate sheets are available in different colours, and it isn’t only aesthetic preferences that should guide your choice – such factors as insulation and light transmission matter, too. Clear polycarbonate sheets, for instance, offer the best light transmission, but if you would prefer a diffused light, bronze or opal might be preferable.

Finding the right materials for installation

Even if you have decided in favour of your next conservatory roof being a polycarbonate one, you will still need to have the right products and materials to execute the installation process.

Here at Varico, we make available a broad assortment of polycarbonate roof sheets, encompassing twinwall, triplewall, and multiwall options. As the name implies, triplewall incorporates three layers of material, which makes it stronger than twinwall, but also more expensive. So, you will need to carefully assess which polycarbonate roof sheet option caters to your requirements and priorities best.

Irrespective of the specific polycarbonate roof sheets you ultimately decide on, you must make sure you have compatible glazing bars, too. They will need to be able to withstand the weight of the sheets, as well as any environmental debris that may accumulate, such as snow. We make available various cost-effective options for rafter-supported glazing bars in the Varico online store.

Hiring a polycarbonate fitter

If you are unsure about your ability to carry out the installation process for a polycarbonate conservatory roof by yourself, you will need to consider hiring someone else for this job.

In the event that you do seek out a professional polycarbonate fitter, it will be a good idea to look at the online reviews of whatever organisation or tradesperson you may have in mind. These reviews may specifically reference instances where a polycarbonate roof was installed at a conservatory, and the client’s impressions of the result.

You could also ask the given tradesperson or business to let you see examples of past polycarbonate conservatory roofs they have installed.

Permission for polycarbonate conservatory roof replacement 

Building regulations approval may be required for the installation of a “solid” conservatory roof in the UK, given that adding such a roof could transform the conservatory into a permanent, rather than temporary, structure.

Ultimately, the law is always liable to change, and it can be easy for confusion to arise about the circumstances in which planning permission may or may not be required. So, we would recommend that you always seek advice from your local planning authority before proceeding with the installation of a polycarbonate roof at your property.

Polycarbonate conservatory roof deterioration 

Weather conditions such as heavy rain and strong winds inevitably contribute to the deterioration of polycarbonate conservatory roofs over time. But of course, this will be a factor largely beyond your control.

One factor in your polycarbonate conservatory roof’s rate of deterioration that you can exercise some control over, is the approach you take to maintenance (or lack of it). So, by proactively and periodically looking after your conservatory’s polycarbonate roof – including the replacement of old and/or broken components whenever necessary – you can greatly help extend its lifespan.

How long does a polycarbonate roof last?  

If you diligently maintain your polycarbonate conservatory roof over time, you can expect it to last for as long as two decades or so. Indeed, some polycarbonate roofs are of a quality that enables them to last for up to around 25 years.

How to clean a polycarbonate conservatory roof 

One of the major advantages that polycarbonate conservatory roof panels offer over alternatives, is relative ease of maintenance. Still, regular cleaning is one thing you should still be doing to your polycarbonate conservatory roof to help prevent it from becoming discoloured due to a build up of dust and debris.

Here is the basic process for how to clean a polycarbonate conservatory roof: 

1. Remove any large pieces of debris, such as sticks and leaves
2. Check the gutters, and detach the pipelines that go into the water collection unit before you commence cleaning. This will help avoid damage to your filtration system
3. Mix mild soap or detergent with lukewarm water
4. Use soft sponges to carefully clean the roof panels
5. Regularly change the water and rinse the sponge
6. Check the gutters again, and reattach the pipes.

Glass vs polycarbonate for conservatory roofing

Glass is always compared to polycarbonate when it comes to conservatory roofing, as these tend to be the two most popular choices.

Naturally, there are certain pros and cons to choosing one over the other:

• Glass conservatory roofing retains a greater amount of heat than a polycarbonate roof, so the conservatory will remain warmer for longer when the temperature falls. You can also typically expect to spend less money on heating a conservatory with a glass roof, than would be the case with polycarbonate roofing.
• Polycarbonate conservatory roofing, however, is the most cost-effective overall option, due to its relatively low purchase price and ability to last for 25 years or more. Polycarbonate is also lightweight, easy to install, and available in various forms, such as clear, tinted, and multiwalled polycarbonate – the latter offering enhanced insulation where this is desired.

Looking for a replacement conservatory roof or a brand new one?  

In summary, then, a polycarbonate conservatory roof can make considerable sense for many different homeowners’ needs. It is relatively affordable to buy in the first place, as well as easy to use and maintain, and resistant to impacts and adverse weather conditions. It can also continue looking great for decades after it is installed.

If you are seeking out polycarbonate conservatory roof panels – whether for a brand new conservatory or an existing one – there is no need to look beyond our extensive range of such products at Varico.

We hand-pick polycarbonate roofing sheets for inclusion in our store, and a 10-year manufacturer warranty is included for your utmost convenience and peace of mind. So, be sure to turn to us for the perfect polycarbonate conservative roof option for your preferences and needs.