There are many reasons to consider how much weight a conservatory roof can take and depending on the type of conservatory roof, the amount of weight a conservatory roof can take, and the areas that are stronger, will differ drastically.
There are a variety of different types of conservatory roofs, more commonly there are glass panes and polycarbonate roofing panels but aluminium insulated panels are fast becoming a popular new option. These can all take a different amount of weight due to the strength and fragility of the materials they are made from.
There are many reasons why it is important to consider how much weight the conservatory roof can take, and it may even be a deciding factor in which conservatory roofing a homeowner opts for. Homeowners may need to access the conservatory roof for maintenance, or it may be important to consider the weight if there is likely to be weather and debris causing issues.
Maintenance
It is important to maintain the conservatory roof to prevent damage or leaking. Over time the conservatory roof may degrade, particularly polycarbonate conservatory roofing panels. Checking that the seals and flashing is all intact and clean prevents internal leaks. Similarly, keeping the conservatory roof clean and clear will prevent a build up of dirt (such as leaves and moss) which may lead to damage and leaks if it prevents drainage. Keeping the roof clear of leaves and debris also makes the conservatory roof more aesthetically pleasing from inside of the room.
Weather
The weather can have a big effect on conservatory roofing so it’s important to consider how much weight a conservatory roof can take depending on the weather its likely to endure when choosing a conservatory. For example, in an area which is likely to have large amounts of snow fall, this will settle on the conservatory roof and is extremely heavy, so the conservatory roof needs to be able to take the weight to reduce risk of damage. Likewise hail and heavy rainfall (especially if the roof doesn’t drain correctly) can put strain on the roofing panels and cause damage to the conservatory roof and cause leaking inside the conservatory.
Falling debris
Falling debris can be a problem for conservatories, particularly fragile glass or aged polycarbonate panels which can degrade and become more fragile. The weight from fallen branches or other debris that may land on the conservatory roof could cause cracks, bowing and warping leading to leaks, or just completely break through the roof and end up in the conservatory potentially causing injuries and damage to furniture or fittings.
Likewise, the build up of weight from fallen leaves, moss and branches could cause the roof, particularly single pane glass or aged weakened polycarbonate panels, to bow and warp, which could mean that they no longer sit correctly in their tracks leading to leaks, draughts and other issues. The warping could also pull the conservatory away from the wall of the property damaging the connection and causing leaks, or potentially causing issues with the wall of the property itself and causing warping and cracks.
There are different typed of conservatory roofs available and each option has different benefits in terms of how much weight the conservatory roof can take. The main types of roofing include glass, polycarbonate, tiles and insulated panels.
Glass
Glass panels can be very fragile and typically are not load bearing, although in some instances toughened glass may be able to carry more weight than regular panes. Generally glass conservatory roofing will not take much weight and so may cause issues in situations where heavy debris falls on the roof and overtime they made degrade and become more fragile. Particularly, with glass panels, any damage can lead to further issues with smashed glass being a potential hazard. In terms of maintenance and homeowners walking on glass roofing to clean it, this is not advisable as the glass is not designed to take the weight of a person.
Poly Carbonate
Poly carbonate isn’t a very strong option for conservatory roofing and therefore may not take that much weight. Over time it can degrade making it more fragile and likely to be easily damaged, causing cracks and leaks. Homeowners would be unable to walk on this roofing for cleaning and maintenance and falling debris or bad weather may cause damage.
Tiled
Tiled roofing is strong, though still carries the risk of tiles becoming lose, cracking or slipping off if heavy weight is applied. Often when installing tiled roofing on a conservatory additional roofing framework will need to be added which will help to increase the strength and mean that tiled roofing can take more weight, though it is still not advised to walk on this type of roofing so access for cleaning and maintenance is not possible.
Insulated Panels
Insulated panels, such as Green Space Uk’s Thermotec insulated panels are designed with strength and endurance in mind. A very light option, it can be installed on most conservatories, but these panels mean that the conservatory can safely take a fair amount of weight. Green Space Uk tested the strength of their conservatory panels here. This means that homeowners are able to access the roof for cleaning and maintenance though these panels are installed in the existing roof frame, so homeowners need to take that into account (as well as several carrying out other health and safety checks) before carrying out maintenance. And in terms of falling debris or heavy weather this roof is an excellent choice as it can withstand a lot of pressure without being damaged, keeping the home and inhabitants safer. This conservatory roofing also doesn’t degrade like poly carbonate due to the materials used to make them meaning that the amount of weight and strength of the conservatory roof will last long term.
Whilst being strong enough to withstand heavy snow, hailstorms, maintenance and more, these panels also help to insulate the conservatory from the heat in the summer and cold in the winter by reducing the heat transferred through the roof. The solid panels also reduce noise and protect from sunlight: preventing glare, faded furniture and most importantly, the suns UV rays.