A lean to conservatory roof will be pitched at a shallow angle, usually about 20 degrees or less. Some of these roofs will be referred to as flat, but they will not be flat in the true sense of the word. For the purpose of these conservatories, a flat roof is one where the slope angle is less than 10%.
The pitch of the roof will determine how quickly water will run off into the conservatory guttering, we want to water to dissipate as efficiently as possible, so a steeper pitch angle is generally preferred. If rain water is not able to run off of the roof relatively quickly, algae can build up, which will look unattractive. The shallower the pitch of a lean to conservatory roof is, the quicker it will show signs of ageing. There will also be a greater chance of leaks occurring.
Having said this, there are polycarbonate roofing systems that have received British Board of Agreement approval with as little as a 2.5 degree pitch. It is also possible to construct a lean to conservatory with a hipped roof. This is preferred by some homeowners who like the contemporary look of these designs. A hipped roof may also allow extra light to enter the conservatory in some instances.
Lean to Conservatory Roofing Materials
The roof on any lean to conservatory you see is very likely to be made of either glass or polycarbonate.
Glass is a popular option and will allow the maximum amount of sunlight to enter the conservatory. The glass used will be double glazed safety glass, ensuring it has the necessary strength. Glass may also be of the ‘self cleaning’ variety. A hydrophobic coating will be added but will not completely negate the need for manual cleaning, it will however mean that you will need to clean the glass yourself less frequently.
Polycarbonate lean to conservatory roofs are often the standard option with many installation companies. They are cheaper than glass but will not allow as much light to enter the conservatory. Polycarbonate roofing can be used to control exactly how much light you want to let in as there is a wide range of shades and colours available. This kind of roofing has low maintenance requirements and can effectively keep out heat if you need it to as well. Solar control foil can be inserted into the polycarbonate for maximum resistance to heat to heat during summer, and also high internal heat retention during the winter months.
Lean to Conservatory Roof Vents
It is important to make sure that your lean to conservatory ventilation is adequate. You will have the choice between manual or automatic roof vents, with the former being the cheapest and most popular option. Both kinds of vents are installed to control the temperature in your lean to conservatory. Manual vents are opened as and when needed, whereas automatic ones will open depending on temperature, or at predetermined times of day. Automatic vents may also come complete with external moisture sensors that are able to detect when it begins to rain, causing the vents to close.
