Timber - PVC - Aluminium - Windows, Doors & Conservatories in Hampshire
Transform Your Old Conservatory into a 365-Day Room
Transform Your Old Conservatory into a 365-Day Room
📌 Key Takeaways
- The Problem: Old polycarbonate or glass roofs have almost zero thermal insulation, causing extreme temperature fluctuations.
- The Solution: Replacing the roof with a solid tiled system or modern solar-control glazing transforms the space.
- The Outcome: You gain a usable “365-day room” for dining, working, or relaxing, often cheaper than moving house.
Be honest: what do you currently use your conservatory for?
For many homeowners who bought properties in the 90s or early 2000s, the conservatory dream—a bright, airy connection to the garden—has become a frustrating reality. It’s a familiar story: it’s freezing cold from October to March, and unbearably hot from May to September.
Often, these expensive structures end up as little more than glorified storage rooms, dumping grounds for laundry, or a “part-time room” you can only use on rare, mild days.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. By refurbishing your existing structure, you can reclaim that footprint and transform it into a modern, comfortable room you can use every single day of the year.
Table of Contents
1. See the Transformation
2. The Comfort Shift: Solving the Temperature Problem
The primary reason old conservatories are unusable is the roof. Old polycarbonate or inefficient single glazing offers virtually no thermal insulation. To make the room usable, we must first tackle climate control.
1. The Solid Tiled Roof Revolution
This is the ultimate game-changer. Replacing a transparent roof with a solid, lightweight tiled roof effectively turns your conservatory into a full home extension.
- Thermal Efficiency: Incredible insulation values mean warmth stays in during winter and the summer sun is blocked out.
- Reduced Glare: Makes the room usable for watching TV or working on screens without squinting.
- Aesthetics: Tiles can often be matched to your main house roof for a seamless look.
2. Modern High-Performance Glazing
If you love the light and don’t want a solid roof, glass technology has moved on massively in the last 15 years. We can upgrade your existing roof and windows with specialist solar-control glass.
This modern glazing works brilliantly to reflect excessive heat in summer while retaining internal warmth during cooler months, bridging the gap between the garden and the home.
3. The Lifestyle Shift: Reimagining the Space
Once the temperature is stable, the exciting part begins: deciding what this new room will be. Stop thinking of it as a “conservatory” and start thinking of it as flexible living space.
- The Open-Plan Diner: By upgrading the roof and frames, building regulations often allow you to remove the internal doors separating the conservatory from the house. This creates a stunning flow from your kitchen to a bright new dining area.
- The Garden Home Office: Working from home requires peace and light. A refurbished conservatory, away from the noise of the main living areas, makes for the perfect tranquil workspace.
- The ‘Snug’ or Playroom: With a solid roof eliminating glare and cold drafts, this space becomes ideal for comfortable sofas, a TV, or a dedicated area for the kids’ toys that keeps the main lounge clutter-free.
4. The Aesthetic Shift: Modernising the Look
Finally, a refurbishment is a chance to wave goodbye to dated styling. If your current conservatory features yellowing white uPVC or fussy Victorian-style cresting that doesn’t match your modern home, it’s time for an update.
Change the Colour
The quickest way to modernise a property is to switch from standard white to a contemporary colour. Anthracite Grey or Slate Grey frames provide a sleek, architectural look that instantly updates the entire back of your house.
Upgrade the Doors
Swap out old, drafty French doors or clunky sliding patio doors for modern alternatives. Aluminium bi-folding doors allow you to open up the entire wall of the conservatory on warm days, truly merging indoor and outdoor living.
Is your conservatory wasted space?
Don’t let valuable square footage go to waste. A refurbishment is often faster and more cost-effective than building a brand-new extension.
Contact the KJM team today for a free consultation, and let us help you unlock the potential in your home.
📚 Related Reading
- Roof Options: Everything you need to know about Tiled Warm Roofs
- Glass Tech: How Solar Control Glass works
- Design: Bifold vs Sliding Doors: Which is best for you?
5. Frequently Asked Questions
In our experience across Hampshire, planning permission is usually required when changing from a translucent (glass/polycarbonate) roof to a solid tiled roof, as it represents a change in materials and classification.
However, this is rarely a problem. Approvals are common, and as part of our service, KJM Group handles the entire application process for you. We ensure all building control regulations are met so you have total peace of mind. For general rules, you can also check the Planning Portal.
Yes, significantly. A modern solid tiled roof includes high levels of thermal insulation (U-values) that far exceed old polycarbonate or single glazing. It transforms the space from a thermally inefficient box into a room with insulation levels comparable to the rest of your main house.
Usually, yes. If your existing conservatory base and brickwork are structurally sound, we can build the new frames and roof directly onto it. This makes refurbishment much quicker, cheaper, and less disruptive than knocking it down and starting from scratch.
Mark Pearce is a highly experienced specialist in the double glazing industry, having built his knowledge from the ground up through hands-on experience in installation, manufacturing, sales, and business management. Beyond his role at KJM, Mark is a keen blogger, writer, and traveller, often sharing insights on the latest innovations in the home improvement industry.
- KJM Update: How We Are Closing the Loop on Window Scrappage - 19 November 2025
- KJM Group MD Attends House of Commons Event to Champion UK Glass Industry - 14 November 2025
- Industry News Alert: Pilkington Discontinues Classic Flemish Glass - 14 November 2025
