Do I Need Building Regulations to Change the Roof on My Conservatory?

Can I Replace My Conservatory Roof Without Building Regulations?

In most cases, if your conservatory roof is translucent (glass or polycarbonate), it does not require Building Regulations approval. However, if you are replacing it with a solid or tiled roof, then Building Regulations approval is mandatory.

This is because a solid conservatory roof is classified as a permanent fixture, affecting the structural integrity, thermal efficiency, and safety of the building. Planners need to ensure your existing conservatory structure can support the weight of a solid roof.

๐Ÿ”— Looking for a new roof? Explore our options:

What are Building Regulations?

These are codes that set specific criteria for the design and construction of all different types of buildings, including conservatories. When you make a building regulations application to your local planning authority you are seeking to have the details of your development checked and approved for compliance with the standards of construction.ย  As far as conservatory roofs go, Building Regulations approval is not needed if the roof is translucent, i.e. glass. However, if the roof is a solid one then it does need to follow Building Regulations because it is classified as a permanent fixture.ย ย 

What Are My Options for a Building Regulations-Compliant Roof?

If youโ€™re looking to replace your conservatory roof legally and safely, these are your best options:

1. Tiled Conservatory Roofs (Requires Building Regs)

โœ” Offers better insulation than glass or polycarbonate.
โœ” Turns your conservatory into a year-round living space.
โœ” Requires structural assessment to ensure your conservatory can support the added weight.

๐Ÿ”— Learn more about Tiled Conservatory Roofs

2. Glass Conservatory Roofs (No Building Regs Needed)

โœ” Retains a bright and airy feel.
โœ” Modern solar-controlled glass improves insulation.
โœ” No need for Building Regulations approval if replacing an existing glass roof.

๐Ÿ”— Discover Glass Conservatory Roofs

3. Lantern Roofs (For Extensions & Orangeries)

โœ” Creates more natural light for open-plan living.
โœ” Stylish, modern, and ideal for kitchen or dining extensions.
โœ” Requires Building Regulations approval if replacing an old structure.

๐Ÿ”— Explore Lantern Roofs


What Happens If I Ignore Building Regulations?

Replacing a conservatory roof without Building Regulations approval could cause:
โŒ Structural failure โ€“ if your conservatory was not built to hold a heavier solid roof, it may weaken over time.
โŒ Insurance issues โ€“ some home insurance policies wonโ€™t cover unauthorised modifications.
โŒ Resale problems โ€“ without a Building Regulations certificate, you could struggle to sell your home.

To avoid these issues, use a certified roofing system like our Supalite Tiled Roofs, which meets all UK Building Regulations and is pre-approved by JHAI (Corporate Approved Inspectors).

I want a solid roof โ€“ what do I do now?

Simply put, you need a Building Regs certificate, and there are two ways to get it. The first is to have the roof built and inspected by building. That does run risks, however, in that you may not have complied with regulations.ย ย  The second option involves an approved inspector of building control approving a roofing system in line with Building Regulations. At Renaissance Conservatories, we use the highly-rated Supalite system which has JHAI Approval. This is a Corporate Approved Inspector licenced by the Construction Industry Council to give a certified Building Regulations Approval as an alternative to Local Authority Building Standards whilst maintaining the same high standards.

Why does my solid roof need Building Regulations anyway?

Because itโ€™s a structural issue. Planners want to know whether the existing conservatory structure could support the new roof โ€“ understandable, especially if the conservatory previously had a glass roof and therefore wasnโ€™t designed to support a tiled roof.ย ย 

I was wondering about a wrap-over roofโ€ฆ

If you think you can build a solid roof over an old roof to dodge Building Regulations, think again! Doing this will let you off the hook in terms of the regulations, but it may very well lead to a dangerous situation in your conservatory. Wrap-over or clad-over roofs add a lot of weight to an existing roof and are prone to collapsing. Hardly worth it, for the miniscule amount of money you might save by going down this route. Besides, such roof systems rarely meet Building Regs approval when tested due to poor thermal value and structural integrity.

Are there any other benefits to having a roof replaced?

There are many. A replacement roof will look great, add value to your home, make the room more comfortable in terms of thermal efficiency and save you money. Lots of great reasons to think about this, while leaving the details (including Building Regs approval) to the experts.ย  For more details about Renaissance Conservatories contact us on our website or call 01626 333 393.

Are you interested in improving your home? Get in touch with Renaissance Conservatories, your local conservatory specialists today!

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