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Why replace your roof
- Warmer in winter
- Cooler in summer
- Quiet when it rains
- A room you use all year
Our prices and data come from Met OfficeHM Land RegistryLABCPlanning PortalWhich?
Edwardian conservatory roof replacement
An Edwardian (or Georgian) conservatory is square or rectangular with a hipped roof, and its straight runs make it one of the quickest and simplest shapes to re-roof. It suits every roof type, and a solid Edwardian roof looks close to a single-storey extension from outside.
Every roof option for a Edwardian conservatory
Medium size, fitted.
| Roof | Price | Fitting | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiled roof | £7,500 to £10,500 | 3 to 6 days | Using the room every month of the year |
| Glass roof | £4,000 to £6,400 | 2 to 4 days | Keeping the light and the view of the sky |
| New polycarbonate roof | £3,000 to £4,700 | 1 to 2 days | The lowest cost fix for a leaking roof |
| Hybrid roof | £7,500 to £11,600 | 4 to 7 days | Warmth with pools of daylight |
| Insulated roof panels | £2,100 to £4,200 | 1 to 3 days | A warmer room on a tighter budget |
| Orangery conversion | £14,000 to £35,000 | 7 to 15 days | A full extension feel without building a new room |
What is different about a Edwardian roof
- Straight runs mean fewer cuts and quicker fitting than a Victorian of the same floor area.
- The square floor plan uses every corner, so it is popular as a dining room or home office once it is warm.
- A solid hipped roof looks close to a traditional single storey extension from outside.
Tiled roof
Edwardian roofs are the simplest hipped shape for a tiled system: a ring beam, three hips, a ridge and a flat plastered ceiling or a vaulted one.
Glass roof
Large rectangular glass units fit an Edwardian roof neatly. Pick solar control glass with a low g-value if the room faces south or west.
New polycarbonate roof
A like for like polycarbonate roof is quick on this shape, usually a day or two.
Hybrid roof
Roof windows or glazed panels are easy to place in the long flat slopes of an Edwardian roof.
Insulated roof panels
Rectangular bays between glazing bars suit panel systems, which is why Edwardian panel conversions are usually the quickest.
Orangery conversion
The rectangle suits an orangery layout well: a perimeter ceiling with a central lantern and often new insulated pillars.
Why an Edwardian is the easiest shape to re-roof
An Edwardian roof is a simple hip: three sloping sides running back to the house wall, meeting at a short ridge. There are no facets to taper and no bay to follow, so tiles, glass and panels go on in straight runs with few cuts. ExpertSure reports that Eurocell’s Equinox tiled roof takes 3 to 5 days on a standard Edwardian, against 5 to 7 on a Victorian or P-shape.
The shape also suits every kind of roof:
- Tiled. A tiled roof on an Edwardian is the simplest hipped version: a ring beam, the hips, a ridge and a plastered ceiling.
- Glass. Large rectangular glass units fit neatly. If the room faces south or west, pick solar control glass that lets in a small share of the sun’s heat.
- Insulated panels. The rectangular bays between glazing bars suit panel systems, which is why Edwardian panel conversions are usually among the quickest.
- Orangery. The rectangle also suits a flat perimeter ceiling with a central lantern, if you want to go further with an orangery conversion.
Flat or vaulted ceiling?
With a solid roof you usually choose between a vaulted ceiling that follows the roof slopes and a flat plastered ceiling. A vaulted ceiling keeps the height and the sense of space you had under glass. A flat ceiling makes the room feel more like part of the house. Systems handle this differently: UltraRoof has a vaulted plastered ceiling with an internal pelmet for lighting, and SupaLite has offered both vaulted and flat ceilings with a lighting pelmet. Ask to see photos of finished rooms in the system you are quoted for.
Getting light into a solid Edwardian roof
The long, flat slopes of an Edwardian roof are the easiest place in any conservatory to put roof windows or glazed panels. Guardian offers VELUX and its own Solstice rooflight, Eurocell’s Equinox offers manual or electric centre-pivot windows and a fully glazed Vega panel, and SupaLite offers SkyVista glass panels on Edwardian roofs. Opening roof windows also help in summer, because Which? says roof vents let hot air escape upwards.
Plan the spotlights at the same stage, since the wiring goes in before the plasterboard. Our guide to spotlights and skylights in a solid roof covers the options.
Will a solid roof make it look like an extension?
From the garden, a tiled Edwardian roof looks close to a traditional single-storey extension, which is part of its appeal. Under permitted development in England, the rule that materials must look similar to the house does not apply to conservatories. National guidance does not say whether that carve-out survives once a conservatory has a solid tiled roof, so the safe reading is to choose a tile that resembles the main roof, which most conversions aim for anyway.
Full-height glass Edwardians
Some Edwardians have glass to the floor instead of a dwarf wall. Guardian says its roof can still be fitted if the frames are fully reinforced, and LABC’s checks focus on steel in the frames carrying the load down to the floor slab. Expect the survey to look closely at every mullion.
Questions to ask about your Edwardian roof
When you get quotes, ask each installer:
- Will the ceiling be vaulted or flat, and what height will it be at the eaves?
- Where will roof windows or glazed panels go, and does the pitch allow them?
- Which tile colours are closest to my house roof?
- Are my frames reinforced, and how did you check?
- How many days on site?
Comfort through the year
Questions
Is an Edwardian conservatory the same as a Georgian one?
Broadly, yes. Both names are used for a square or rectangular conservatory with a hipped roof that slopes back to the house, and roof makers often use them interchangeably. The roof options and prices are the same.
Can a solid roof go on an Edwardian with full-height glass and no dwarf wall?
It can, if the frames are strong enough. Guardian says its roof can be fitted to full-height frames if they are fully reinforced, with the installer checking the structure. LABC's guidance focuses on steel in the frames carrying the load to the floor slab, and places no limit on keeping the existing wall glazing.
Can I have roof windows in an Edwardian tiled roof?
Yes, and the long flat slopes make them easy to place. Guardian offers VELUX and its own Solstice roof windows, and Eurocell's Equinox offers manual or electric centre-pivot windows. Check the pitch, since Guardian's roof windows need at least 15 degrees, and in England a new roof window must reach a U-value of 1.4 or Window Energy Rating Band B.
What is the best roof for a Edwardian conservatory?
For a room you can use all year, a lightweight tiled roof is usually the best fit: typically £7,500 to £10,500 on a medium Edwardian. If daylight matters most, solar control glass costs £4,000 to £6,400. On a tight budget, insulated panels from about £2,100 make a real difference.
How much does it cost to replace a Edwardian conservatory roof?
For a medium Edwardian conservatory, expect £2,100 for the simplest option up to £10,500 for a premium tiled roof. The table on this page shows every option.
Make your Edwardian conservatory a room you use all year
Compare up to four quotes from local installers who fit this shape of roof.