Should you replace your solid conservatory roof with a tiled conservatory roof? It’s a genuinely useful question to ask, since both options are durable but built differently, and choosing the wrong one for your property means missing out on the full potential of the space.
If you already have a solid conservatory roof, you’ll be benefiting from strong insulation and shading. They also tend to offer excellent energy efficiency, which can make your space more comfortable and help with your bills.
That said, a solid tiled conservatory roof might suit your property better than what you have now.
Tiled roofs have timeless appeal, and because they typically use lightweight tiles, they don’t place as much extra weight on your build while still sealing tightly against wind and rain. If you have a cottage or a period property, a tiled roof on a conservatory can complement it beautifully: a classic terracotta finish, for example, can fit right in.
If you want to replace your conservatory roof with tiles, it’s often more affordable than people expect.
Usually, you won’t need any other work doing to your build, since the tiles fit onto your existing conservatory roof structure, and you can match them to your existing property for a roof that blends in seamlessly.
The Benefits Of A Solid Conservatory Roof
Solid conservatory roofs are versatile and suit a wide range of homes.
Key benefits include:
Full control over temperature and light: you can regulate both with ease, letting you and your family enjoy the space throughout the year.
Excellent privacy: one of the biggest advantages of these designs.
Strong sound insulation: keeping noise and commotion from outside out of earshot, so you can enjoy your conservatory without unwanted distractions.
Sturdiness and security: offering good protection against potential intruders and extra peace of mind.
Long-term durability: unless you’ve had it for decades, a solid roof can withstand just about anything, protecting your home from wind and rain and stopping draughts and dampness developing.
The Benefits Of A Tiled Conservatory Roof
A tiled conservatory roof gives you all the benefits of a solid one, with one big bonus: the look.
Key benefits include:
A traditional, period feel: a modern tiled roof combines a traditional design with advanced performance, suiting both older properties and contemporary homes.
A fully bespoke finish: you can customise your new roof tile by tile, creating unique patterns in different colours.
Fully weatherproof performance: keeping wind and rain out, with colours and finishes that won’t fade for years to come.
Security, privacy and energy efficiency comparable to a solid roof: so you could save a similar amount on your bills, or more if your current roof is older.
The option to add glazing: a partially tiled roof lets you add sections of glazing exactly where you want them, for more natural light.
No extra cost over a solid roof: a tiled conservatory roof replacement doesn’t typically cost more than a new solid roof, so you can add period styling without paying a premium for it.
Solid Roof vs Tiled Conservatory Roof: How Do They Compare?
For the most part, tiled and solid roofs perform similarly in terms of efficiency and insulation, so in day-to-day use, you may not notice much difference between them.
Many tiled roofs have solid roof interiors. Because of this, you get a similar look and feel inside your home while completely transforming the outside. Thanks to the plastered ceiling underneath, you can also add interior spotlights and downlighters to create your own ambience.
Tiled roofs are generally the lighter option of the two, which can help protect your conservatory’s structure from weakening over time and save you money on repairs down the line.
Both options are durable and long-lasting, and a well-installed tiled roof can last just as long as a solid one.
How Long Does A Tiled Conservatory Roof Replacement Take?
If you’re planning to replace your solid conservatory roof with a tiled conservatory roof, you might expect it to be a disruptive process. In practice, though, that’s rarely the case.
With a trusted local professional doing the work, you can fit a tiled roof in less than a day in some cases, causing next to no hassle to your home.
Which Conservatory Roof Is Right For You?
In many ways, there are only a few real differences between solid and tiled roofs, so the key question is which one suits your needs more closely. One thing you don’t need to worry about is your conservatory’s existing shape: tiled roofs can be fitted to any style or model, made to measure for a proper fit.
If you live in a modern home and you’re happy with an efficient, secure roof that already makes your conservatory usable all year round, sticking with your solid roof makes perfect sense.
If you’d like to add glazing, a roof lantern, or new lighting down the line, a tiled roof can often achieve a similar look for similar money.
Solid vs Tiled Roof Prices
Choosing to replace your conservatory roof with a solid roof or with tiles won’t usually make much difference to what you pay.
As a general guide, solid conservatory roof quotes range from around £7,300 to £19,000 depending on size, and tiled conservatory roof pricing sits in a similar range.
Since you’re replacing an existing roof rather than building a whole new conservatory, you’ll typically pay a good deal less than the cost of a brand new extension.
The price can still vary depending on the size and shape of your roof. Either way, choosing tiles generally won’t cost more than a solid roof of the same size.
How Can I Save Money On A Tiled Roof?
If you want to replace your conservatory roof with tiles, there are a few ways to keep costs down:
Go supply-only if you have DIY experience: choose a supply-only roof, and you’ll pay for the materials but not the fitting, so you can do the job on your own schedule and save on the overall cost.
Choose a specialist from your local area: you won’t pay as much in travel costs, and you’re less likely to face the premiums national installers sometimes charge, while still getting professional advice and a more personalised service.
Use Compare Companies to compare prices: our online conservatory roof comparison tool lets you see prices across different sizes, shapes, and styles, including the colours and finishes you want, so you can get a more accurate baseline figure within minutes.
Get matched with vetted local specialists: we’ll put you in touch with installers approved by bodies like FENSA and CERTASS, so you can compare like-for-like quotes with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you replace a solid conservatory roof with a tiled roof?
It depends on what you want from the space. If you’re happy with your current roof’s performance and just want to keep things as they are, there’s no need to change it.
But if you want more design flexibility, a period look, custom colours, or the option to add glazing, a tiled roof gives you that without a significant jump in cost or a lengthy installation.
What are the benefits of a tiled conservatory roof over polycarbonate?
A tiled roof offers far better insulation and noise reduction than polycarbonate, along with more privacy and security, since it’s not see-through.
It also gives your conservatory a more traditional, house-like appearance, and lets you customise colours, finishes, and any glazed sections, rather than being limited to a uniform, translucent panel.
Is a tiled conservatory roof warmer than a glass or polycarbonate one?
Yes, generally. A tiled roof provides much better insulation than glass or polycarbonate, helping keep your conservatory warmer in winter and cooler in summer, which is why it’s such a popular upgrade for conservatories that currently feel too hot or too cold to use comfortably.
Does a tiled conservatory roof make the room usable all year?
For most homes, yes. The improved insulation, shading, and draught-proofing a tiled roof provides makes a conservatory far more comfortable in both summer and winter compared with a glass or polycarbonate roof, which is one of the main reasons homeowners choose to switch.
What is the difference between a solid roof and a tiled conservatory roof?
The two are closely related, many tiled roofs are built with a solid roof structure underneath, just with tiles as the outer finish rather than a different material like slate panels alone.
In practice, they perform very similarly on insulation and noise, with the main differences being weight (tiled roofs tend to be lighter) and appearance, since tiles offer more choice in colour, pattern, and finish.
