Updated August 2026 | 10 min read | By the team at Ken Rhodes | 35+ years installing doors across Essex
If your conservatory is too hot in summer, too cold in winter or simply no longer as comfortable as it once was, the roof could be part of the problem.
Older conservatories often have glass or polycarbonate roofs that simply do not perform as well as the modern alternatives available today. A conservatory roof replacement can breathe new life into the space, helping to improve comfort, insulation and appearance without necessarily replacing the whole conservatory.
At Ken Rhodes, we offer a choice of tiled, glass, Quantal aluminium and hybrid replacement roofs, all made to measure for your existing conservatory.
So, what are the options and how do you know whether replacing your conservatory roof is the right choice for your home?
Is It Worth Replacing a Conservatory Roof?
If the main structure of your conservatory is still in good condition, replacing the roof can be a practical way to improve the room without starting again from scratch.
Some of the common signs that a conservatory may need attention include:
- A leaking roof
- Draughts
- Condensation
- Cracked or damaged glazing
- Excessive heat during summer
- A room that becomes very cold during winter
- Too much glare
- Noise from rain and the outside environment
We also offer conservatory refurbishment and will look at repairing or upgrading an existing conservatory before suggesting complete replacement where possible. Roofs, windows and doors can all be upgraded as part of a refurbishment.
What Can You Replace a Conservatory Roof With?
You don’t have to replace an old conservatory roof with the same type of roof.
Modern systems give you more choice over how much natural light you want, the appearance of the conservatory and how the room performs throughout the year.
Ken Rhodes currently offers four main replacement conservatory roof options: tiled, glass, Quantal aluminium and Livinroof hybrid systems.
Tiled Conservatory Roofs
A tiled replacement roof is a good option if you want your conservatory to feel more like an extension of your home.
The lightweight tiled systems offered by Ken Rhodes are suitable for most conservatory styles, and a tiled conservatory roof can improve thermal insulation, privacy and noise reduction while providing better insulation than polycarbonate options. Glazed panels or rooflights can also be incorporated if you want to retain more natural light.
A solid conservatory roof or solid or tiled roof can reduce rain noise and help create a more comfortable space.
This can be particularly useful for older conservatories that become too hot in summer or difficult to keep warm during winter, making the space easier to use year-round.
Glass Conservatory Roofs
If natural light is one of the things you enjoy most about your conservatory, replacing an ageing roof with modern glass allows you to keep the bright, open feel of the room.
Our glass conservatory roofs are BBA approved and can accommodate a wide range of conservatory styles and roof pitches. Modern glazing can also provide improved thermal performance compared with older polycarbonate systems, and modern glass technology makes a glass conservatory roof more thermally efficient than older systems to support better energy efficiency and help lower energy bills.
Options include Low-E temperature-balancing glass and self-cleaning glass, giving homeowners more choice over how their new roof performs. Some homeowners can save around £200 a year with modern glass roofs, as new roofs improve thermal efficiency and reduce heating costs.
Quantal Aluminium Conservatory Roofs
For a more contemporary appearance, a Quantal aluminium roof combines large areas of glass with slim aluminium frames.
The strength of aluminium allows for slimmer sightlines, helping create the “more glass, less frame” appearance Ken Rhodes highlights across its conservatory range. Aluminium is also resistant to warping, flexing and corrosion.
Livinroof Hybrid Conservatory Roofs
A Livinroof is a solid roof-style hybrid system that combines insulated sections with areas of glazing.
It can also incorporate shaped double glazed glass panels where homeowners want light in specific areas.
This gives you more freedom to choose where light enters the conservatory while still benefiting from the thermal performance of insulated roof sections.
Ken Rhodes offers Livinroof systems using aluminium or insulated composite external panels alongside glass, making them a useful option for homeowners who do not want to choose between a completely solid or fully glazed roof; in the same broad category, a tiled conservatory roof system such as Ultraroof uses lightweight tiled roofing options.
Which Conservatory Roof Is Right for My Home?
There is no single replacement roof that will suit every conservatory.
If natural light is your main priority, a modern glass roof could be the best fit.
If you want the conservatory to feel more like a permanent extension, with improved privacy and insulation, a tiled roof may be more suitable.
Quantal aluminium roofs work particularly well for contemporary homes where slim frames and large areas of glass are important.
A Livinroof offers a balance between solid and glazed roofing, allowing you to decide where you would like more natural light.
Our team can assess your existing conservatory and talk you through the options based on the structure, how it relates to the main house, and how you want to use it as a new room.
How Much Does a Conservatory Roof Replacement Cost?
The conservatory roof replacement costs vary depending on roof size, shape, material, glazing specification, and whether any structural work is needed.
As a guide, most conservatory roof replacements in Essex fall Polycarbonate roofs are typically the most affordable replacement option.
A small polycarbonate replacement conservatory roof cost is about £6,300.
A large glass conservatory roof replacement can exceed £18,225, which can affect the final price.
These prices are only a starting point, as conservatory roof replacement costs can vary depending on the design and specification of each project. We offer a free, no-obligation home survey so the existing structure can be assessed before a detailed quotation is provided.
Can You Replace a Polycarbonate Conservatory Roof?
Yes, in many cases an older polycarbonate conservatory roof can be replaced with a modern alternative.
Polycarbonate was commonly used on older conservatories, but ageing panels can become discoloured, damaged or less effective at controlling temperature. Polycarbonate roofs are often the cheapest option, but they offer less insulation than modern alternatives.
Depending on the existing structure, you may be able to replace it with a modern glass, tiled, aluminium or hybrid roof. The conservatory should always be assessed first to make sure the existing frames and base are suitable for the replacement system being considered, especially with older polycarbonate systems that are traditional conservatory roofs and often poorly insulated.
Will a New Conservatory Roof Make the Room Warmer?
Improving thermal performance is one of the main reasons homeowners consider replacing an older conservatory roof.
Modern replacement roofs use more advanced materials and conservatory roof insulation than many older systems, where heat escapes easily, helping to reduce heat loss during winter and control excess heat during warmer weather.
A new roof can therefore improve thermal efficiency, heat retention and energy efficiency, which may also help reduce heating costs.
It is worth remembering that the roof is only one part of the conservatory. If older windows, doors or glazing are also underperforming, a wider conservatory refurbishment may be worth considering to create a more comfortable year-round living space and useful extra living space.
Will I Lose Natural Light With a Replacement Roof?
Not necessarily.
If maintaining maximum natural light is important, a modern glass roof is an obvious option.
Tiled conservatory roofs can also incorporate glazed panels or rooflights, while Livinroof systems allow you to combine solid and glazed sections within the same roof to preserve the open-plan look some homeowners want with features like bifold doors.
This means replacing an old conservatory roof does not automatically mean losing the bright and open feeling that made you choose a conservatory in the first place.
Do You Need Planning Permission for a Conservatory Roof Replacement?
In many cases, a conservatory roof replacement will not usually need planning permission, although there can be exceptions.
There are exceptions, particularly for listed properties, homes in conservation areas or properties where permitted development rights are restricted, so it is always worth checking where there is any uncertainty. Older conservatories often relied on at least 75% of the roof being glazed to stay outside full extension rules.
Building Regulations are a separate consideration. Replacing a glazed or polycarbonate roof with a solid tiled roof will typically require building control approval because of changes to the weight and thermal performance of the structure. This is especially relevant where the project starts to resemble a conservatory conversion and more substantial building work makes the space function more like part of the main house. If approval requirements are unclear, homeowners can check with the local authority, local council or local building control department for guidance on compliance, and local authorities can also advise on Building Regulations.
At Ken Rhodes our conservatory roof installations comply with current Building Regulations and that all the necessary compliance is handled as part of the project.
How Long Does a Conservatory Roof Replacement Take?
A conservatory roof replacement is generally much quicker than completely rebuilding the conservatory.
The process starts with a survey of the existing structure and measurements for the new made-to-measure roof.
Once the replacement roof has been manufactured, the existing roof is removed and the new system installed.
Most conservatory roof replacement installations take around two to three days, although this will depend on the size and complexity of the project.
Should I Replace the Roof or Refurbish the Conservatory?
Sometimes replacing the roof is exactly what an older conservatory needs. In other cases, there may be more than one part of the room that could benefit from attention.
If the structure is broadly sound and the roof is the main issue, conservatory roof conversions can be a practical option.
We advocate refurbishment as the first option before complete conservatory replacement where practical. Windows, doors, glazing and roofing can all potentially be upgraded to improve an existing structure.
If your conservatory is structurally sound but no longer performs as well as you would like, refurbishment can often extend its lifespan and make the space more enjoyable without rebuilding it completely. A conservatory conversion can also help turn it into a more usable living space without a full rebuild.
Conservatory Roof Replacement in Essex
A replacement conservatory roof can transform an older space, whether you want better insulation, more energy-efficient performance, lower energy bills, less glare, more privacy or simply a fresher appearance.
For many homeowners, that also makes a conservatory roof replacement a practical way to create a comfortable room all year round.
With over 35 years of experience in home improvements, at Ken Rhodes we install replacement conservatory roofs across Essex and the surrounding areas, with tiled, glass, aluminium and hybrid options available.
If you’re unsure which roof would work best for your conservatory, take a look at our replacement conservatory roof options or get in touch with the Ken Rhodes team to arrange a free, no-obligation survey.