When you picture a conservatory, you probably think of a bright, airy structure made entirely of glass windows – but that image is starting to change.

In recent years, more and more people have opted to install solid roofs onto their conservatories. This is for a range of both practical and cosmetic reasons.

Trade Price are the nationwide industry-leading supplier of DIY tiled roof conservatories. In this post, we go over the 5 main reasons to choose a solid roof over glass for your conservatory.

1. Energy Efficiency

One of the biggest advantages of a solid roof is its vastly superior thermal efficiency.

Compared to other building materials, glass allows a considerable amount of heat to pass through – even with double or triple glazing. This is made worse by the fact that most glass roofs have an aluminium frame, as aluminium is particularly prone to cold bridging. Having a glass roof will require you to keep your central heating on for longer, increasing both your energy bills and your carbon footprint.

Solid roofs are made from timber, a natural insulator. They are usually packed with a thick insulating material that effectively locks heat in or out, helping keep your conservatory warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

At Trade Price, we manufacture and supply the market-leading Warmer Roof Plus. With an outstanding U-value of 0.12Wm²k, it’s the most thermally efficient, high-performing roof system currently available to buy. You only need to compare this figure to the average U-value of glass – typically between 2.2Wm²k to 3Wm²k – to see how much of a difference it’ll make to the energy efficiency of your home!

Even better? Thanks to the Warmer Roof’s multi-layer honeycomb insulation and premium insulated plasterboard, it provides more vapour protection than any other roof. This virtually eliminates the risk of condensation and mould. It’s also been tested and certified by the accredited national building control approvals agency, proving that it’ll continue to perform exceptionally for years to come.

2. Noise Reduction

The increased insulation of a solid roof has another major benefit: better soundproofing.

When noise from the outside, such as traffic or construction work, tries to penetrate the roof, it will be met with a barrier of insulation. The sound waves will be absorbed and dampened by the insulation, reducing the amount of noise able to enter the conservatory. As a result, the conservatory becomes a quieter and more peaceful space to relax or work.

3. Durability

Because it’s made of timber, a solid conservatory roof is more durable than a glass one. It will not crack or shatter under heavy weight (such as a thick pile-up of snow), nor from a sudden impact (like a kicked football gone awry). It can also better withstand extreme weather conditions such as driving rain, high winds, and storms, such as the ones that have battered the UK over the last few years.

Our Warmer Roof Plus systems come with a comprehensive 10-year guarantee, much longer than standard glass roof warranties. In the unlikely event of a fault or defect, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with being completely covered.

4. Modern Aesthetics

Boasting a sleek, streamlined appearance, a solid roof can give your conservatory a much needed modern facelift. You can even choose to have the tiles and shape of your conservatory roof match your home’s roof, creating a seamless transition between the two.

Adding a solid roof to your conservatory essentially turns it into a low-cost house extension, which can significantly increase the value of your property. It also opens up many more usage possibilities – you could transform your conservatory into a home office, art studio, or even a playroom!

5. Versatile and Sustainable Materials

Unlike aluminium, timber can be easily modified on site. This cuts down the need for delays if unexpected challenges surface during installation, and means you can start enjoying your newly transformed conservatory space in no time.

Another benefit of timber is its sustainability. When harvested and replanted responsibly, it’s a fully renewable building material with a very low carbon footprint. This is in sharp contrast to aluminium – for each tonne of aluminium produced, around 16 tonnes of carbon are released into the atmosphere.

All timbers used in production of our Warmer Roof Plus systems are sourced from replenishable forest programmes where three trees are replanted for every one used. Before deciding which trees to fell, we fly out drones to identify zones that should be left alone, allowing wildlife to flourish. We also use recycled materials during production to dramatically reduce landfill waste.

By upgrading to the Warmer Roof, you’ll receive all the fantastic benefits listed in the points above, without worsening your environmental impact!