Conservatory Roof Options Compared: Glass, Polycarbonate and Tiled
Most conservatories have one of three roof types. Here's how they compare in everyday use.
Polycarbonate
Cheap and light, which is why so many conservatories were built with it. The downsides are well known: it's noisy in the rain, it discolours with age, and a typical polycarbonate roof gives up to eight times less insulation than a Nu-Look roof.
Glass
Glass looks smarter and lets in plenty of light, but it brings glare and overheating in summer and heat loss in winter. A typical glass roof gives up to six times less insulation than a Nu-Look roof.
Insulated tiled roof
A tiled roof replaces the glass or polycarbonate with a solid, fully insulated roof. Nu-Look builds a bespoke timber frame on site, adds several layers of insulation, and finishes it with lightweight Tapco slate-effect tiles and a plastered ceiling. The finished roof reaches a U-value of 0.14 W/m²K.
Which is right for you?
If you want a conservatory you can use all year round, a tiled roof is the one that changes how the room feels. If you're worried about light, Velux roof windows can be added, and the typical loss of light is only around 5% from polycarbonate or 11% from glass.
The best way to decide is to see the options on your own home. We'll survey your conservatory and give you a fixed-price quote.