A gable end conservatory has an upright, glazed triangle at the front and two roof slopes meeting at a ridge. Insulated panels replace the covering on both slopes, while the gable glazing stays, so the room keeps plenty of light. Most gable roofs take 1 to 2 days, and a 17 m² roof is typically £4,450 to £5,250 fitted.
The shape of a gable end roof
A gable end conservatory has a rectangular floor and a roof like a small house or barn. Two slopes rise from the side gutters to a ridge that runs from the house to the front. At the front, instead of a hipped slope, there is an upright triangle of glazed frames that fills the space under the ridge.
Gable roofs are usually steeper than other conservatory roofs, which gives the room its high, open ceiling. That steep pitch also means the roof area is larger than the floor area, often by a quarter or more.
Where the panels go
A gable roof is simpler to panel than an Edwardian or Victorian, because it has no hips at the front. Nearly every bay is a plain rectangle.
- The two slopes: rectangular panels run from the ridge down to each side gutter, one per bay between the roof bars.
- The ridge: a new ridge cap runs the full length from the house wall to the gable front.
- The gable front: the upright glazed triangle stays as it is. We fit a new edge trim, sometimes called a verge, where the panels meet the top of the gable frame, so the joint is sealed and neat.
- The house wall: the ridge and slopes are sealed to the wall with a new flashing.
Keeping the gable glazing is what makes this shape work so well with a solid roof. The triangle faces out into the garden and lets light deep into the room, even with the roof fully insulated.
Typical sizes and prices
Gable end conservatories are often larger than the average, and many measure about 3.5 m by 3.5 m to 4 m by 5 m on the floor. With the steep pitch, a 4 m by 3.5 m gable can have 17 to 20 m² of roof.
| Style | Small (0 to 12 m²) | Medium (12 to 25 m²) | Large (25 m² and over) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gable end | £3,350 to £4,000 | £4,450 to £5,250 | £6,100 to £7,250 |
For the same roof area, a gable end costs about 12 percent more than a lean-to. The steeper slopes take longer to work on safely, and the verge trim along the gable is made to measure. A 17 m² gable roof usually comes in at £4,450 to £5,250 and a 20 m² one at £4,900 to £5,800, including removal of the old roof, the building control application and a 10 year insurance backed guarantee. Our roof cost calculator works out a figure for your size.
How long fitting takes
A small gable end roof can be done in 1 day. Most are medium sized, which takes 1 to 2 days. We usually strip and panel one slope at a time, which keeps half of the room covered while we work. Scaffold is not needed on most single storey gables, but on a tall or steep roof we sometimes use a tower or roof ladders, and that is included in your fixed quote.
What the change feels like
Tall rooms lose a lot of heat, because warm air rises into the roof space and escapes through it. On a 20 m² gable roof of 16 mm polycarbonate, the loss on a 0°C night with 20°C inside is about 920 W. Through our 75 mm panels it is about 172 W. The high ceiling stays, but the heat stays in the room instead of pooling under a cold roof.
Gable ends often face south or west into the garden, which makes them among the hottest conservatories in summer. With the slopes insulated, direct sun only comes in through the gable glazing and any roof lights, not through the whole roof. Our guide on keeping a conservatory cool in summer covers blinds and ventilation for the gable itself.
Quirks we check on a gable end
The gable frame
The top of the gable frame carries the front end of the ridge. We check that it is straight and sound, as any movement there would show along the verge trim. The guide on whether your frame can take a solid roof explains the other checks.
Access on a steep pitch
A steep roof is harder to stand on and work from, so we plan access at survey. This is part of why a gable costs more than a lean-to of the same size.
Gable glazing
If the glazed units in your gable have misted, we can note it at survey. The gable is not part of the roof conversion, so it stays as it is unless you want it looked at separately.
Gutters on a steep roof
The steep pitch of a gable roof sheds rain quickly, so the side gutters take a lot of water in a short time during a heavy shower. If your gutters overflow now, new gutters and fascia at £295 are worth adding while the roof edge is open. We check the downpipes and outlets at the same time.
Roof lights on a gable roof
Many gable owners find the gable gives them enough light and choose no roof lights at all. Others add one on each slope near the house, where the room is furthest from the gable. See our page on glazed roof lights for sizes and prices.
Rules and paperwork
An insulated roof takes a conservatory out of the building regulations exemption, which requires at least 75% of the roof to be translucent, so approval is normally needed. We agree the specification with building control, apply for you and pass on the completion certificate. Planning permission is not normally needed, because the footprint and height stay the same.
Questions people ask
Does the glazed gable front stay when the roof is changed?
Yes. Only the two roof slopes are replaced with panels. The upright gable glazing stays, and a new edge trim seals the joint where the panels meet it.
Why is a gable end roof dearer than a lean-to?
The steeper slopes take longer to work on safely, and the verge trim along the gable is made to measure. For the same roof area, a gable end is about 12 percent more than a lean-to.
Will a gable conservatory still feel tall with a solid roof?
Yes. The panels sit on the existing bars, so the ceiling height and shape stay exactly the same. The inner face of the panels is white, which keeps the tall space bright.
Do I need roof lights on a gable end conservatory?
Often not. The glazed gable lets in a lot of light, so many people skip roof lights or add just one near the house wall.
