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Conservatory Projects, Conservatory Roof Conversions, Conservatory Roofing, Uncategorized

Supalite Roof System – Are there Alternatives?

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The Supalite roof system is one of the most popular types of conservatory roof replacement for South West homeowners with dozens of internet searches per month. We have previously posted a Supalite roof review but what if your local roofer is not an approved Supalite installer and you don’t fancy a go at DIY Supalite Roof Installation? Are there other options?

All of the systems below can achieve the basic goal of turning a conservatory which is too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter into a habitable year-round space without the expense of a full rebuild.

They all require building regulations approval but require less red tape than a full-scale conversion.

We have researched the most popular replacement roof systems and posted their official videos and some extra information below. We’ve presented them in alphabetical order to avoid suggesting one over another.

Supalite Roof System Alternative #1: Greenspace

Hampshire-based Greenspace claim they can transform your conservatory into an enjoyable living space in only a day. They publish a u-value for their roofing system of 0.29W/m2k. The u-value is a measure of how quickly energy (i.e. heat) is conducted through a material and the lower the number the better.

Supalite Roof System Alternative #2: Guardian

Guardian is one of the most nationally-recognised providers of solid roof replacement systems. They offer an extensive range of window styles and sizes along with many different tile finishes and colours.

Their system can boast a thermal u-value of 0.18W/m2k which is impressively low. They are LABC and LABSS approved and systems are installed over a few days via Team Guardian members.

Supalite Roof System Alternative #3: Metrotile

Metrotile are the preferred system for some South West companies specialising in conservatory roof conversions. Metrotile are a big worldwide operation and claim that their steel-based frames (which are in contrast to the aluminium ones used in the Supalite roof system) are one seventh the weight of conventional roof replacement systems.

Metrotile advertise a low u-value but it was difficult to find out a value. Their roofs are guaranteed weatherproof for 40 years. Metrolife products carry the CE mark proving that they have passed quality testing within the EU. They also carry the LABC mark and have updated BBA certification.

Supalite Roof System Alternative #4: Ultraframe

Ultraframe are also BBA accredited and have set up an Ultraframe Ultra Installer scheme for customer peace of mind. One nice touch is the online Product Selector which runs through a range of questions (importance of thermal efficiency, type of room you want your conservatory to be, roof material choice, etc.) before spitting out a suggestion of relevant Ultraframe products.

*Disclaimer: All information was taken from the online content live in May 2017. SWRCN make no guarantees to its accuracy or relevancy.

Conservatory Image: Copyright: bialasiewicz / 123RF Stock Photo

Conservatory Roofing, Roofing Projects, Uncategorized

How Much for a Roof Conversion?

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Image Copyright: racorn / 123RF Stock Photo

If you want to quickly and relatively cheaply increase the value of your home, a roof conversion – in other words, converting your ‘loft’ into some kind of usable space – is one of the common recommendations by the experts. As well as being relatively unobtrusive,  roof conversion almost always costs considerably less than the increase in value it provides, but what prices can you expect to pay?

SWRCN did a bit of research and dug out a few guideline prices. Since all of the averages mentioned below included London-based conversions, homeowners in the South West can probably look more towards the middle of the ranges given.

Roof Conversion Type One: The Basic Conversion

This is the least expensive type of roof conversion whereby you are only looking for a bit of extra space with usable flooring and maybe a new ladder and hatch system. It won’t add much in terms of value but extra space usually helps to sell a house and a basic conversion  can cost as little as £700 through a specialist loft conversion company. There are some such companies, mainly London-based, who claim to be able to convert a loft in as little as a day!

Roof Conversion Type Two: The Velux® Conversion

Velux® conversions like Hoover® vacuum cleaners are an example whereby one brand has become so successful at marketing itself that their name has been entwined with their products in common language. Velux® are a huge windows and blinds brand but they are most commonly associated with the skylight windows that help turn a dusty old loft into a bedroom, bathroom or spare room.

The cost of a Velux® conversion will depend on what you intend the final room to be. For example, a bathroom will require extra plumbing. As a guide, you are looking at £15 000 to £20 000 for this type of conversion and planning permission is not normally needed unless you are adding over 40 cubic metres of extra space.

Roof Conversion Type Three: The Dormer Conversion

A dormer conversion (pictured) maximises space by extending the normal height of a room outside of the roof. It is possible for a dormer to be constructed under permitted development but planning permission may be required in some cases.

A dormer conversion is likely to cost between £25 000 and £35 000 (or £1 150 to £1 350 per square metre)¹.

Roof Conversion Type Four: The Hip to Gable Conversion

For even more space, some homeowners opt for a hip to gable roof conversion. These involve replacing one of the sloping portions of a traditional hipped roof with an extended wall at the gable end. You can expect to pay between £30 000 and £35 000 for this type of work.

Whatever type of roof conversion you opt for, and however you use the resultant space (bedrooms are popular due to their effect on house value), the most important factor is that the job is completed to the highest standard possible. A shoddy job will not realise the maximum added value and can even, in the worst cases, reduce the value of your home.

How your Architect Can Help

Your architect is more than just the guy (or girl) who draws nice room plans. He or she has a wealth of connections within the trade and should be able to recommend a number of builders or roofing companies who can handle the type of roof conversion you want. Once you have your shortlist (no less than three if possible), it’s just a case of getting in the quotes. Your chosen builder should be willing and able to fulfil all their duties under the Party Wall Act (where applicable) and other Building Regulations requirements; to only ask for payment once the completion certificate has been issued and to be liable to a penalty clause should deadlines be missed.

An Important Note on VAT

Builders are notorious for producing ex-VAT quotations and then flooring homeowners when the final bill comes in. VAT is now 20% – one-fifth of the net cost so don’t forget to check your quotations very carefully and ask for clarification if you don’t understand anything.

Conservatory Roof Conversions

One type of roof conversion you may not have thought about, but that can definitely add value to your home (as well as transforming your living conditions) is a conservatory roof conversion. This entails  replacing your current roof, whatever it is constructed from, with a lightweight, insulated roof that changes your conservatory into a comfortable space all year round. People who have had conservatory roof conversions find that winters are warmer and summers are cooler. Rather than avoiding the conservatory in the winter, they can continue to use it all year round.

In effect, a conservatory roof conversion provides most of the benefits of a sunroom without the need for planning permission and is only possible due to the development of lightweight roofing technologies which mean that there is no  increase in pressure and so no need to deepen existing foundations.

¹ Simply Loft