The Client Brief
The property had a large gable-ended conservatory with impressive floor area but poor comfort. The homeowners wanted it to become a proper family lounge capable of hosting guests, reading, relaxing and opening onto the garden during summer. The existing glazed roof created harsh glare and significant temperature swings, and the scale of the room amplified rain noise. Because the conservatory was a prominent feature at the rear of a high-quality home, the replacement also had to look architecturally convincing from the garden.
The Design Challenge
The size and geometry required a bespoke roof rather than a standard small replacement. The design needed to preserve the visual height of the gable, provide good daylight and ensure the existing structure was suitable for the new loading. External detailing was particularly important because the roof would be highly visible from both the garden and first floor.
The Fitrite Solution
The representative project specifies a bespoke Icotherm gable/combination roof that follows the established conservatory geometry. The insulated C24 timber system uses Fitrite’s cited 0.15 U-value build-up, with lightweight tiles chosen to sit comfortably with the main house. Carefully placed roof glazing maintains natural light through the larger footprint, while the internal ceiling gives the room the acoustic and visual character of a conventional lounge. Integrated lighting supports evening use, and the wide garden openings are retained so the room can still operate as a summer social space when the weather is warm.
Project Specification
The Project Journey
- Project consultation – Define the intended lounge use and key comfort issues.
- Detailed survey – Assess the larger structure, support, geometry and glazing.
- Bespoke roof design – Retain the gable character while introducing insulated roof sections.
- Finish selection – Coordinate tiles, roof glazing and interior ceiling treatment.
- Careful strip-out – Remove the existing roof while protecting the conservatory structure.
- Roof installation – Install the bespoke Icotherm frame, insulation and external finish.
- Interior completion – Fit ceiling, lighting and final detailing.
- Handover – Review the room, documentation and maintenance requirements.
Project Cost
Illustrative project investment: £15,250. This is a representative project value, not a formal quotation. Final pricing would vary according to size, access, ground conditions, specification, finish and any additional works required.
The Finished Result
The conservatory becomes a premium family lounge rather than an occasional summer room. The solid roof gives the interior a calmer, more substantial feel and addresses the glare and rain-noise issues that previously limited use. Roof glazing keeps the space bright, while the preserved gable geometry maintains the architectural drama of the original structure. From the garden, the new tiled roof also looks more integrated with the main house.
Key Outcomes
✓ Converted a large underused conservatory into a family lounge
✓ Improved thermal and acoustic comfort
✓ Preserved the height and character of the gable design
✓ Retained strong daylight through selected roof glazing
✓ Created a more integrated external appearance