A new conservatory will help to free up space in your home by giving you an additional living space for multiple possible uses, from a playroom for the kids, to a dining room in which to entertain guests.
It offers many of the benefits of an extension, and for a fraction of the cost. And, in most cases, you can install a conservatory without planning permission. There are a few exceptions to this rule, however, one of which is the inclusion of a solid roof.
Why choose a tiled roof for your conservatory?
At QBD, we’ve installed loads of tiled roofs on our customers’ conservatories throughout Cheltenham and Gloucestershire, and there are lots of reasons our customers choose to replace an existing glass roof with a tiled roof.
The main reason is that it creates more of a solid feel to the conservatory, making it feel more like a room in the home than an outdoor space.
A solid roof on a conservatory also makes it easier to regulate the temperature in the room, helping to keep it cooler in the summer, with less sunlight beating down on overhead glass all day.
Things to consider when installing a tiled roof on your conservatory
Before you rush head-first into installing a tiled roof, there are a few things you need to consider first.
Where a solid roof is replacing a glass or polycarbonate roof, you’ll need to obtain Building Regulatory Approval. You’ll find it easier to obtain this if you’re installing a system approved by Local Authority Building Control (LABC) as a safe building product.
Replacing a glass roof with a solid one will change your conservatory from a ‘temporary extension’ to a permanent structure. You will therefore have to apply for planning permission, as this signifies a change of use.
Conservatories are usually erected under ‘permitted development rights’ meaning no planning permission is required; installing a solid roof means permitted development rights will no longer apply and so planning permission must be sought.
You also need to consider that the base and foundations of your existing conservatory may not be designed to take the full weight of a tiled roof, so there may need to be some structural changes to the conservatory in order to accommodate the new roof.
So, the short answer to the question of whether or not you need planning permission to install a tiled roof on your conservatory, is yes.
If you are thinking of adding a new conservatory to your home, or upgrading an existing conservatory with a new tiled roof, our team at QBD have plenty of experience in tiled roofs across Cheltenham and Gloucestershire. Get in touch with us to see how we can help.