Same outline, new surface
A conservatory's shape is set by its frame: the ridge, the hips of a Victorian or Edwardian design, the slope of a lean-to. Because the panels are fitted onto that frame once it passes the survey, a Victorian bay stays a Victorian bay and a lean-to keeps its angle against the house. From the garden, the outline you see against the sky does not move.
The surface is a different story. A polycarbonate roof reads as a pale, slightly grubby stripe pattern; a glass one reflects the sky and shows the leaves sitting on it. A panel roof reads as one flat colour with neat caps along each bar. You can see the before and after on our photos page.
Choosing a colour that suits the house
Colour does most of the work. The simplest rule is to match the frame or the house trim, then decide whether you want the roof to stand out or sit back.
| Looks best with | Effect from the garden | |
|---|---|---|
| White | White uPVC frames and white fascias | Closest to the old roof in brightness, crisp and light |
| Light grey | White or grey frames, rendered walls | Softer than white, shows less dirt |
| Anthracite grey | Grey frames, modern doors, dark gutters | Reads like a contemporary extension |
| Copper tone | Oak effect or wood grain frames | Warm and unusual, pairs with brick |
The view from upstairs and next door
This is where the change is biggest. From a bedroom window, an old polycarbonate roof shows every leaf, moss patch and dark line inside the sheets. A panel roof has a smooth top skin that sheds most debris in the rain and is easy to rinse. On a bright day it can even mirror the clouds.
Neighbours with a view over the fence see the same improvement. Most conservatories sit at the back of the house, so from the street nothing changes at all.
Inside: a ceiling instead of a sheet
Indoors the change is bigger than outside. Overhead you see a smooth white ceiling where the striped sheets used to be, and the light comes in through the walls instead of glaring down. Rooms often look larger, because the eye stops being pulled upward by the bright roof. LED spotlights can be set into the ceiling, and a roof light can keep a patch of sky above a dining table or reading chair.
On an oak effect frame the bars still show between the panels, which keeps the character of the room. Our colours and finishes page shows the options side by side.
Questions about fitting in with the street
Most roof swaps on an existing conservatory do not need planning permission, and we check your situation at the survey. If you live in a terrace or semi where several houses have similar conservatories, a panel roof in a matching colour to your frames will sit comfortably alongside them.
If you are torn between finishes, ask to see samples at the survey and hold them against your frame and brickwork in daylight, not under a kitchen light. Guide prices for each size of roof are on our prices page.
What changes
- The colour and texture of the roof surface
- The view from upstairs windows
- The ceiling inside: smooth and white
- How much glare and heat comes through
What stays the same
- The outline and pitch of the roof
- The walls, windows and doors
- The frame colour
- The footprint on the garden