GUARDIAN SOLID ROOF REVIEW
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It is a common problem in South West conservatories: the environment is stifling hot in summer and Arctic in the winter, reducing the usable capacity of the home.
If this is your issue, it is more than likely due to the roof – usually glass or polycarbonate with poor insulation properties. There are now half a dozen or so big companies plus a host of smaller conservatory firms specialising in installing roof replacement systems, saving homeowners money on full conservatory replacements or extension conversions.
In previous blog posts we have carried out a SupaLite Roof Review (SupaLite are popular in the South West) and also looked briefly at a number of Supalite Roof System alternatives. This post looks at another very popular system in these parts – the Guardian solid roof, epitomised by the Guardian Warm Roof system which includes integrated insulation.
The Guardian Warm Roof is formed of over 20 components each supplied by different fabricators. After the old roof is removed, a ring beam is placed on top of the underlying structure on top of which the roof itself, connected to a light aluminium frame, is connected. The roof can be tiled using either MetroTile or Tapco synthetic products.
GUARDIAN SOLID ROOF REVIEW: THE PROS
Along with SupaLite, Guardian publish a thermal co-efficient (u-value) of 0.18 W/m2K. The lower the u-value, the slower heat transfers through the roof’s materials, avoiding the heat extremes experienced by many conservatory owners. Even a triple-glazed glass roof will only give you a u-value of around 2 while a single 4mm pane of glass increases that number to a mighty 6.
Guardian are LABC registered with does offer a big advantage when it comes to building regulations approval. Conservatory roof replacements are a grey area when it comes to building regs but the design of the Guardian solid roof system has clearly ticked enough boxes to make building control officials happy. What this translates to in practice is likely to be lower rates and a less time-consuming inspection process that is focused on the underlying structure rather than the roof itself.
Guardian state that their Warm Roof system is quick to fit with a 3-4 day timescale published on their website. There are a wide range of tile designs and window types to suit various styles including Edwardian, Victorian or lean-to conservatories. Skylights and internal spotlights are all possible depending on your needs and budget.
And for those who trust in numbers, Guardian roofs are in situ in over 20,000 homes making them one of the most popular replacement roof suppliers.
GUARDIAN SOLID ROOF REVIEW: THE CONS
One thing to be aware of with Guardian is that their work is carried about by Team Guardian members -‘ trusted’ contractors who have gone through the necessary approval process . Although the majority of contractors will respect that relationship and do everything to meet the Guardian standards, there is always the risk that your fitters are the exception.
Guardian make it clear on their website that it is the homeowners responsibility to check references and ensure that an insurance-backed guarantee is in place for the work. While online reviews are generally very positive, there are the odd stories of poor service and corner-cutting. It is worth bearing in mind that your contractor forms a layer of insulation between the public and Guardian and this could have an impact if things go wrong.
This question of accountability is one reason why some people might decide on a local conservatory roof conversions firm.
GUARDIAN SOLID ROOF INSTALLATION IN THE SOUTH WEST
Guardian are a national company and, wherever you are in the South West you shouldn’t have to travel more than 15 miles to find your nearest Team Guardian member. In most cases (including Plymouth, Exeter, Torquay, Bristol, etc.) you will find a number of options well within a 10 mile radius.
well done you have explained this really well 🙂
Interesting information about the fitters and that layer of insulation you describe. I thought Guardian would be responsible and direct the work. I am considering an extension with them (they commence extensions summer 2021) as yet I do not have an indication of the life expectancy of their product.
Our Guardian Roof installers (August Home Improvements, owned by Neil Harper) were Guardian certified installers (recommended by Guardian). They were complete cowboys despite the reassurance offered by Guardian, who later confirmed they take absolutely no responsibility for their certified installers.
The installers then went bust and we began having problems with the roof. We have since discovered the roof does not meet building regulations and is completely unfit for purpose. In some places it is structurally unsound. The certified installers have liquidated so the 10 year guarantee is worthless and the insurance back money guarantee is useless. Beyond putting us in contact with further certified installers to rectify the problem (which cannot be done without a whole new roof at our expense) Guardian have offered no financial compensation and say it is nothing to do with them.
So be VERY carefully getting a Guardian Warm roof. When viewing installers work be aware that problems often don’t show up until several years down the line (ours was 3 years old before the problems started).
The certified installer scheme means NOTHING. These are limited companies that liquidate at the first sign of trouble, leaving you without a leg to stand on. It is the ‘double glazing sales scandal’ of the conservatory roof world and Guardian.