This might seem like a daft question but it matters because a 'conservatory' is usually exempt from building regulations but an extension is not.  The Building Regulations define a conservatory as being a structure which is 'significantly' glazed. However, if your roof is anything other than 100% glass, for example a lightweight tiled roof, a hybrid tiled roof with glazed panels, a flat roof with glass atrium then it is NOT a conservatory and it is an extension. In this case the building must be inspected and certified under Building Regulations.

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A conservatory is exempt from building regulations when the following applies: -

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1) GLASS ROOf :                        The Conservatory must have a 100% glass roof. Tiled roofs, LivinRoof, or flat roofs with an atrium all 

                                                     require Building Regulation inspection and certification.

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2) THERMAL BREAK:                The conservatory must be separated from the main house by external specification doors. If you have 

                                                     knocked through to open up the ground floor or removed the existing external doors then full building

                                                     regulations apply to your extension.

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                                                     In June 2022 Building Regulations were updated and clarification given on the thermal break rules.  If

                                                     you extend the existing wet heating system into your conservatory it is subject to full building

                                                    regulations. Furthermore if you have electrical heating which is connected via a fused spur then it is fixed

                                                    heating and also requires building regulations. Your build is exempt only if the heating is connected via

                                                    a plug.

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3) Size - Under 30M2              The external area of your build must be less than 30 square metres.

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Does my conservatory refurbishment need building regulation inspection and certification?

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If your old conservatory was an exempt structure, then there is an assumption that you can't make an exempt structure comply with modern regulations.  Providing that you are improving the thermal performance then that is okay.  However, there are lots of pitfalls that can catch you out and cost money.

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1) Is your old conservatory exempt?  Should it have been fully compliant in the first place? For example, because the thermal break has been removed and the wall taken out?  If this has been done, then your refurbishment will need to be full building regulations approved and inspected.

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2) The new solid roof system I am having fitted is already pre-approved for building regulations so I don't need to do an application for inspection.  This is unlikely to be correct.  There is a reduced fee for building regulations applications for roof replacements and they only look at the new work being done. However look carefully at number three below before you move on.

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3) How heavy is your new roof compared to the original one?  Your existing window frames may have been structurally fine with a lightweight polycarbonate roof and a flimsy super structure BUT if you replace it with some of the 'lightweight' solid roof systems on the market they can be more than double the weight of your old roof.  Only ultraframe manufacture a lightweight roof system which is building regulation compliant and can be swapped without considering the difference in load on your frames and on your existing base.  If your old base was okay with a lightweight polycarbonate roof system it may NOT be okay with a new solid roof system double the weight and an inspector may require further investigation and work to make it comply.  

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4) Care needs to be taken with wrap around insulation and battening systems with tiles built over old roofs. These may be cheaper solutions but problems with ventilation, condensation and structural integrity are serious.  If you want a complete regeneration of your old conservatory take a look at the option of using your existing slab only and using Hup wall construction and an Ultraframe roof to transform your space into a state of the art extension, orangery or sun room.

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The following example shows an old and very tired lean-to conservatory that was demolished down to the base slab. This includes removing dwarf walls.  Instead it was rebuilt using the latest Hup modular wall system which is externally K-rendered and a Ultra380 roof.  It is fully compliant with Building Regulations.