Interiors
Conservatory flooring ideas: 8 options that are both beautiful and practical
Camille Dubuis-Welch
Tired of your current conservatory? Read our replacement cost guide
There’s no need to knock down the entire space. Use our guide to budget for upgrades that will transform your conservatory from drab to fab.
If your goal is to transform a draughty conservatory into a wow-factor space you can enjoy all year round, you don’t necessarily need to knock down and replace the entire structure.
There’s a variety of changes and replacements you can make – from the roof to the windows and doors. Changing these elements will help boost thermal performance, maximise natural light and improve the visual appeal of the space.
With top tips from experts, we break down the replacement conservatory costs you can expect to pay. Plus, we explain what changes will have the biggest impact on the room.
If your goal is to transform a draughty conservatory into a wow-factor space you can enjoy all year round, you don’t necessarily need to knock down and replace the entire structure.
There’s a variety of changes and replacements you can make – from the roof to the windows and doors. Changing these elements will help boost thermal performance, maximise natural light and improve the visual appeal of the space.
With top tips from experts, we break down the replacement conservatory costs you can expect to pay. Plus, we explain what changes will have the biggest impact on the room.
Credit: Room OutsideHow to decide what upgrades to make to your conservatory
Call in a surveyor to assess the current structure
With a replacement conservatory roof costing upwards of £3,000, and replacement windows hovering around £200-£250 per window, you’ll want to determine what improvements need to be carried out. You might find you don’t have to do everything.
Therefore, to help get an idea of your replacement conservatory costs, it’s worth bringing in a professional.
“Homeowners can conduct basic assessments independently. However, a professional’s opinion is generally recommended for a detailed understanding of quality requirements,” says Virginia Murray, sales and marketing director at Mozolowski and Murray.
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Who can assess what conservatory replacements you’ll need?
Who you bring in will depend on what upgrades you’re planning to make.
For instance, if you’re only having the glass in blown windows replaced, a professional glazier could do the survey. In other words, they wouldn’t necessarily have to be a conservatory specialist.
However, if you’re replacing something like the roof, then a professional from a specialist conservatory company with plenty of experience is going to give you the best chance of success.
Choose a company who has been recommended to you via word of mouth. Alternatively, get several quotes in so that you can compare feedback from a variety of companies.
Do you have to pay a fee?
Some companies charge a minimal fee to come to your home, for others it’s included in the quote for the works.
Check for competency
Ask for someone who has a Minimum Technical Competences (MTC) certificate. This demonstrates site competence and that they operate to best practice. MTC approved installers can also get a FENSA card.
How much does a replacement conservatory roof cost?
Your choice of roof type will impact costs
SEH BAC replaced the original roof on this conservatory with a new, tiled alternative, which offers superior thermal efficiency. The glazed panel means sunshine can still stream down into the space below
The most cost-effective and impactful update you can make to improve your conservatory is replacing the roof. Steve Rawding from SEH BAC agrees: “The best way to make a conservatory a comfortable and livable space all year round, and get it performing to its full potential again, is by replacing the roof.”
“The cost will, of course, be dependent on the size, shape and also the material chosen, but would be between about £5,000 to £10,000, supply only, for a small conservatory glass roof upgrade,” says Stephanie Alexander from Room Outside.
Different roof types
As an illustration, figures collected by GreenMatch suggest that you’ll pay £2,250-£7,875 for a polycarbonate roof, up to around £10,235 for a glass roof and £4,385-£15,350 for a solid tiled roof, supply only.
Of course, the type of conservatory and the style of the original roof will impact costs. Replacing the roof of a gable conservatory, for example – with its high-vaulted glazed structure – will sit at the higher end of this price range. Plus, if you opt for premium materials or need to carry out additional structural work to support the new roof, the upgrade could end up costing more than £20,000.
Don’t forget to factor in installation costs, too. If you’re installing a polycarbonate or glass roof, the job shouldn’t take more than one to three days, depending on the size of the conservatory. Typically, a team of two will be required, with labour costing between £300 and £500 per person, per day, according to Checkatrade. A solid roof may take a couple of days longer, especially if additional structural work is required.
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Solid conservatory roof vs polycarbonate
A solid roof can either be tiled or covered with solid panels, for a contemporary aesthetic. Solid roofs cost more than glass or polycarbonate alternatives, but they’re more thermally efficient – which means you’ll be paying less to heat your conservatory in the long run.
What is the cheapest way to replace your conservatory roof?
Don’t always opt for the cheapest – buy the best material you can afford
“A polycarbonate roof is likely to be the cheapest replacement in terms of cost,” says Alexander. And if your budget is tight, opting for a replacement polycarbonate roof means you probably won’t need to upgrade the frame it’ll sit atop, which will cost less. “But you get what you pay for in terms of the overall look as well as the comfort level,” explains Alexander.
Bear in mind it’s not always possible to exchange a polycarbonate roof for a glass alternative without doing additional structural work to support the extra weight.
Featuring an anthracite grey frame and high -performance glass, this reverse lean-to glazed extension is from Ultraframe
How much does it cost to replace conservatory windows and doors?
It depends if you need to replace them all
The amount you spend depends on how many windows and doors you’re changing and what type of glass and frame you choose. “You can just replace the windows or just replace the doors as two separate jobs, if you wish,” says Alexander. However, updating the windows and doors at the same time will maximise the thermal performance of the room, and is worthwhile if your budget allows.
The cost of replacing all windows and doors is difficult to approximate, as a lot depends on the frame material, style and opening configuration you go for. GreenMatch estimates that replacing a standard single window measuring 1,000mm x 1,000mm costs between £375, for a single uPVC casement window, and £860 for a wood tilt and turn window. A bay window would cost more.
Blown glass replacement costs
If the glass has blown in your conservatory window, the cost to replace it will depend on whether you need to replace the entire window unit, or just the pane of glass in the middle. It’s possible to just replace the blown windows rather than replacing all of the conservatory windows. Checkatrade estimates that replacing a standard size window with blown glass will cost between £200-£325, supply only.
What does blown glass mean?
Blown glass occurs when a gap between the glass panels in your windows or doors opens up, allowing moisture to get inside, causing the window to mist up.
What can affect the cost of replacing the roof, windows and walls?
The replacement conservatory costs you’ll pay depends on various factors.
The options for a new roof include fully glazed, tiled or panel replacements, or potentially a combination of multiple solutions. Each system comes with its own cost implications. For instance, a solid roof that’s topped with tiles may require additional structural work so the frame can support the greater load, which will bump up costs.
The cost of switching out old windows and walls with new versions depends on the frame material and glass specification you choose – a variety of hardwood, aluminium and uPVC solutions are available at different price points. “Opting for premium quality materials, like hardwood, will increase the cost, but will ensure a long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing result,” says Murray. “Quality materials resist wear and tear, and can last a lifetime if properly maintained.” Additional security features and high-quality ironmongery can also bump up the cost.
As a rule of thumb, the larger the conservatory, the more you’ll need to pay for improvement works, as you’ll require more materials, labour and resources. Roof replacements are often assessed on the size of the roof area. For example, to replace a glazed roof, a larger structure will require more glass, thus adding to costs.
“If you’re just replacing particular panes of glass like for like, that would keep the cost down,” says Alexander. “But, depending on the type of glass installed, that will dictate the overall result of how comfortable your glass room is to enjoy.”
It’s also worth bearing in mind that larger conservatories may require additional structural changes, potentially driving up the complexity and cost of your project.
Regional price variations mean the amount you’ll need to shell out for labour will differ depending on where you live, with rates in London and the south-east being the highest. Some trades may also charge more if they need to travel a long distance to your property.
Replacing your conservatory roof, for instance, typically takes between one and three days. According to Checkatrade, replacement conservatory costs for labour sit between £300 and £500 per person, per day, with location playing an important part in this figure.
The fluctuating cost of materials is another key factor to consider before embarking on your project. “For instance, the cost of building materials has been increasing quite steeply over the past few years since the pandemic, so when you choose to change wooden frames, this could impact the overall cost,” says Alexander.
Your design requirements will also impact on the amount you pay for upgrades. Bespoke elements or ornate details will add to costs, as you’ll likely require skilled trades to execute these features perfectly. A lot depends on the structure that’s already in place, too, as mentioned above.
If you do plan on changing the style of your roof, be sure that you’re not compromising on the amount of natural light entering the space. “Three times as much light comes in through the roof versus the windows, so be careful not to replace your glass roof with something entirely solid,” says Alex Hewitt from Ultraframe. “You will miss the natural light and so will the adjoining rooms, which will become much darker.” To maximise natural light levels, incorporate glazed panels within your new solid roof.
Depending on the scope of your scheme and the amount of work being done, you may also need to budget for redecorating and making good once the key jobs are complete. Significant structural changes could pre-empt the need for more than just a fresh lick of paint, as plastering or tiling could be required, too.
Adding insulation to the cavity in your conservatory’s dwarf walls will help prevent heat from leaking out of the structure. This handsome hardwood conservatory was designed and built by Mozolowski and Murray
Can I do some of the conservatory refurbishments myself?
Leave the structural changes to the professionals
There are some jobs you’ll be able to do independently if you’re a competent DIYer, such as changing the seals on windows, doing minor assembly jobs or redecorating. However, if you’re upgrading the frame, glass or insulation, it’s best to call in the professionals.
“Tasks involving structural work, glazing or electrical installations may require specialised knowledge and tools,” says Murray. “Certain aspects of construction may be subject to local building codes and regulations, too. Working with professionals ensures compliance with these rules, while DIY can inadvertently lead to violations.”
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Written by Rebecca Foster she/her
Published:
Rebecca began her journalism career writing for a luxury property magazine in Bangkok, before re-locating to London and becoming a features editor for a self build magazine. She is an experienced homes and interiors journalist and has written for many homes titles, both in print and online. She has expertise on a wealth of topics — from oak frame homes to kitchen extensions. She has a passion for Victorian architecture; her dream is to extend an 1800s house.
