Glass Conservatory Roof

Yes. Modern conservatory roof glass is very different from the glazing used in many older conservatories. High-performance double glazing combines insulation with solar-control coatings to help retain warmth during colder weather while reducing excessive solar heat gain when the sun is stronger.

Our glass roof options offer U-values as low as 1.0 W/m²K, depending on the specification chosen. We'll help you select the right balance of thermal performance, solar control and natural light for your conservatory and its position.

A modern solar-control glass roof can significantly reduce the amount of the sun's heat entering your conservatory compared with older glazing.

Different glass specifications provide different levels of solar control. This means we can take into account factors such as whether your conservatory faces north, south, east or west, the amount of surrounding shade and how you intend to use the room.

For particularly sunny conservatories, higher solar-control options such as Smartglass Ultimate, Smartglass Ultra 86 and Smartglass Ultra Grey can help reduce excessive heat and glare while still allowing natural light into the room.

There isn't one glass specification that's best for every conservatory. The right choice depends on the orientation of your room, how much direct sunlight it receives and whether your priority is maximum daylight, improved solar control or thermal performance.

For example, a conservatory that receives strong afternoon sun may benefit from glass with greater solar rejection, while a less exposed room may be better suited to glass that allows more natural light through.

SEH BAC offers several high-performance glass options, and we'll help you choose the most appropriate specification for your home.

Yes, in many cases an older polycarbonate conservatory roof can be replaced with a modern glass roof without replacing the entire conservatory.

Before recommending a replacement, we'll inspect the existing conservatory, including the frames and supporting structure, to make sure they're suitable for the new roof.

Replacing old polycarbonate with modern performance glass can provide clearer views, improved thermal performance and solar control, reduced rain noise and a more contemporary appearance while retaining the bright feel of a traditional conservatory.

Yes. If the existing conservatory frames, base and supporting structure are in good condition and suitable for the replacement roof, it's often possible to replace the roof while retaining the rest of the conservatory.

We'll assess the existing structure as part of the survey before confirming that a replacement glass roof is suitable. This can be a great way to improve an older conservatory without the cost and disruption of replacing the entire structure.

If other elements of the conservatory would also benefit from upgrading, we'll explain the available options so you can decide what works best for your home and budget.

Self-cleaning glass is designed to considerably reduce the amount of cleaning required, although it doesn't mean you'll never need to clean the roof.

A special coating on the outside of the glass uses daylight to help break down organic dirt. Rainwater then spreads across the surface rather than forming individual droplets, helping wash loosened dirt away.

It makes glass conservatory roofs easier to maintain, particularly in areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach.

Modern glass conservatory roofs are generally much quieter in the rain than older polycarbonate roofs.

Glass has greater density than polycarbonate and doesn't produce the same characteristic drumming sound during rainfall. You'll still hear rain on a glazed roof, but for many homeowners this is noticeably less intrusive than with an older polycarbonate conservatory.

If noise reduction is particularly important to you, we can discuss this alongside the other performance requirements when recommending your roof specification.

For homeowners looking to use their conservatory more regularly, modern performance glass will usually offer several advantages over older polycarbonate roofing.

Glass can provide improved thermal performance and solar control, clearer views, less noise from rainfall and a more premium appearance. Different glass specifications also allow you to choose the balance between natural light and solar control that best suits your room.

Polycarbonate can still provide a lightweight and economical roofing solution, but modern glass is generally the preferred option when upgrading an older conservatory while retaining a fully glazed roof.

Replacing an existing conservatory roof with another glass roof will not normally require planning permission where you're simply upgrading the existing roof and aren't significantly altering the conservatory's size or overall structure.

However, planning requirements can vary depending on the property and the work being carried out. Different rules may apply to listed buildings, properties in conservation areas or homes where permitted development rights have been restricted.

You don't need to work this out on your own. SEHBAC has a dedicated planning team who can advise on the requirements for your project and assist at every stage. Where an application is needed, we can help prepare the necessary drawings, submit the application and manage the process on your behalf.

Not necessarily. Many conservatories are exempt from Building Regulations when they meet the relevant criteria, and replacing an existing glazed roof with a new glass roof doesn't automatically remove that exemption.

The position will depend on the existing conservatory, how it is separated from the main house and the extent of the work being undertaken.

We'll consider this as part of your project rather than leaving you to navigate the regulations yourself. Our dedicated planning team can advise whether Building Regulations approval is required and, where necessary, help prepare and manage the application through to approval.

The timescale depends on the size, design and specification of your conservatory, as well as the condition of the existing structure and the work required.

For a straightforward roof-only replacement, installation can be completed in as little as 2–3 days. If you're replacing the conservatory frames and roof together, the main installation will typically take around 5 days.

For a completely new conservatory, including a new base, frames, roof and finishing trades, most projects can be completed in under a month.

These are typical timescales rather than fixed guarantees, as more complex designs, site conditions, planning requirements and other factors can affect the installation programme. Before work begins, we'll provide a clear schedule so you know what to expect at each stage, and your dedicated SEH BAC project manager will keep you updated at every step.

Our Ultraframe glass conservatory roofing systems are designed and manufactured for long-term performance and are backed by our 10-year comprehensive guarantee, covering both the products and installation.

If your project also includes a new base or building work , these are covered for the full 10 years too, giving you long-term reassurance across the complete conservatory installation.

Yes. Modern conservatory roofing systems are specifically engineered to cope with British weather conditions.

Our Ultraframe glass roof systems are structurally designed for their location, taking account of factors such as local wind and snow loads. The system has also undergone extensive weather testing, including testing for watertightness in winds of up to 130mph.

High-performance seals, glazing technology and professionally installed roof components work together to create a strong, weather-resistant conservatory roof.

Yes. One of the advantages of modern conservatory roof glass is that you can choose different levels of light transmission and solar control.

If maintaining maximum natural daylight is your priority, you may prefer a glass specification with higher light transmission. If your conservatory receives strong direct sunlight, a higher solar-control specification can reduce heat and glare.

We'll consider the orientation and position of your conservatory and explain the different options so you don't have to make the decision based on technical figures alone.

SEHBAC installs new and replacement glass conservatory roofs throughout Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and North London.

Through our sister company FineLine, we can also help homeowners across Kent and surrounding areas south of the Thames.

With local showrooms across the South East, you can see conservatory and roofing options for yourself and speak to our team about the best solution for your home.