Why Reglaze Rather Than Replace?
Most homeowners assume a tired conservatory means a £10,000-£25,000 replacement. In reality, the framework — whether aluminium, uPVC, or timber — typically has decades of life remaining. It's the glazing that fails first. Reglazing transforms the conservatory for a fraction of the cost, and it's a far easier sell for installers.
Polycarbonate to Glass: The Most Profitable Upgrade
Polycarbonate roofing was widely used in conservatories built between 1990 and 2010. It yellows, becomes brittle after 10-15 years of UV exposure, provides poor insulation, and amplifies rain noise. Upgrading to glass roof panels is the single most impactful improvement — and one of the highest-margin jobs in domestic glazing.
Modern glass roof panels with solar control coatings keep conservatories cool in summer whilst Low-E coatings retain warmth in winter. The noise reduction alone is transformative — glass reduces rain noise by up to 90% compared to polycarbonate.
Glass Specification Options
Solar control glass is essential for south-facing conservatories, reflecting up to 80% of solar heat whilst maintaining 70%+ light transmission. Self-cleaning glass uses a special coating that breaks down organic dirt using UV light — particularly valuable for conservatory roofs that are difficult to clean manually.
Low-E glass with argon or krypton gas fill creates high-performance sealed units that dramatically improve winter insulation. For trade customers, we provide full U-value data for every specification to help with Building Regulations compliance documentation.
Weight & Structural Considerations
Glass is heavier than polycarbonate. When quoting polycarbonate-to-glass upgrades, verify the framework can support additional weight. Aluminium and uPVC frames typically have adequate safety margins, but older timber frames may need reinforcement. We provide weight-per-panel data with every quote to support your structural assessment.
Ordering for Conservatories
Conservatory glazing involves non-standard shapes more often than windows or doors. We cut sealed units to exact measurements including trapezoids, triangles, radius curves, and irregular polygons. Provide accurate measurements — if in doubt, send a template drawing and our technical team will confirm feasibility and quote accordingly.