Updating my conservatory

[Johntheboy]

Hi,

we’ve a conservatory on the rear of our house (around3.5 x3m) which is a good amount of space but it’s boiling in summer and freezing in the winter so we’re wondering how to beat convert it so it’s a more usable space all year around. It’s got a brick wall to around 1m high, then it’s all UPV construction and roof.

My first thought is that the roof could be replaced for an insulated and tiled roof with a window light, but I’m not sure if we would need to have the PVC uprights replaced with a different construction?

Would anyone be able to hazard a guess as to what kind of cost I might be looking at?

Also does anyone know if regs would allow for us to remove the current door between the kitchen and conservatory or does there need to be a physical door between?

many thanks,

john

 

[wwwebber]

Replace the roof with a new lightweight tiled one without any changes to supporting structures. Plenty of firms around offering this now.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

No idea on costs for your scheme but plenty of companies are advertising such conversions- get them in to quote.

The main thermal gain will come from insulation- if you had the headroom you could underdraw with 150mm PIR and plastic ceiling slats for not a lot of money (£500 materials), if you already have an opening rooflight then make a well for it.
Tiled roof might be too much for the (probably non-existent) foundations as well as for the window bars
To comply with building regs you must have a fixed door between conservatory and house and the conservatory must not be connected to the main house heating system. Even if you reroofed etc. it would still be a conservatory.
The door requirement can be ignored until you come to sell the place- or you can just wedge it open. The heating one is more difficult to ignore (but could be done)- again would have to be removed if you come to sell the place.
If you have the cash, why not consider scrapping the thing and building a real extension?