Solicon® Conservatory Roofs achieves handcrafted success

By Tapco Roofing Products. 

TapcoSlate offers the traditional appearance of natural slate whilst being significantly lighter and higher performance.

The team at Solicon® Conservatory Roofs is VERY busy. Following the growing trend to transform clear glass and polycarbonate roofs on conservatories built from the 1980s through the early 2000s into full-year functional rooms for the home, the East Sussex-based company tackles about 250 conservatory roof replacement projects each year. The vast majority of them — 95% — are completed with TapcoSlate®.

Considering that every Solicon roof is individually designed and hand built on site to suit the exact dimensions and requirements of each customer’s conservatory, it’s amazing that the company has found the perfect partner in Tapco® Roofing Products. Both companies are known for taking pride in doing things the right way, being technically advanced and seeking perfection every step of the way.

“Tapco Roofing Products has consistently delivered the quality, appearance and long-term reliability that both we and our customers expect in TapcoSlate,” says Luke Eustace, operations and projects manager at Solicon Conservatory Roofs. “After seven years of steady success with hundreds of custom roof replacement projects across the South of England, TapcoSlate has become our slate of choice due to its performance, durability and premium appearance." He went on, "By handcrafting every roof on site, we’re able to achieve a level of accuracy, structural integrity and attention to detail that simply isn’t possible with a one-size-fits-all approach. TapcoSlate is the perfect product to complement our high production standards.”

Trending toward more living space

Homeowners today genuinely want an extension of their home rather than a seasonal room. With the change to a fully insulated timber framed roof and TapcoSlate roofing, interior temperature fluctuations are eliminated. And, homeowners get more “living space” full year-round. As Luke explains, "TapcoSlate is the perfect finish for these projects because it offers the traditional appearance of natural slate whilst being significantly lighter. That lower weight is particularly important when working with existing conservatory structures. It allows our skilled, time-served installers to achieve a beautiful, long-lasting roof without placing unnecessary load on the original frame.”

Other TapcoSlate benefits

Luke also relates that his team values the consistency, packaging and ease of handling of the TapcoSlate product. “From a roofer’s perspective, it’s incredibly durable, colour stable and backed by an excellent manufacturer’s warranty. This synthetic slate allows us to deliver a roof that looks fantastic on day one and continues to do so for many years.”

For the homeowners, TapcoSlate gives a premium natural slate appearance, adding to the kerb appeal of their house. The high-end look blends seamlessly with the rest of the property.

“People are often surprised when they learn the roofing product is composite,” says Luke. “It’s so realistic-looking to slate that it fools them. Visually, homeowners say it no longer feels like a conservatory at all; it feels like a proper extension of the house., The other thing that surprises our customer is how much more comfortable a completed room feels. They tell us there’s an immediate difference in temperature inside and the room has become quieter, especially during heavy rain!”

Sticking with pewter gray

While Tapco Roofing Products offers seven standard colours and one mix stocked of TapcoSlate for immediate availability, Luke relates that Pewter Gray is the top choice among their customers:

The realistic look of the Pewter Gray complements both traditional and modern properties exceptionally well. This colour pairs beautifully with a wide range of brickwork, render colours and window finishes. t’s become the default choice for many homeowners because Pewter Gray offers a timeless, premium appearance.

Handcrafted success

At Solicon Conservatory Roofs, where no two roofs are ever the same, the mission is to transform underused space into a comfortable, energy-efficient room that can be enjoyed throughout the year. By handcrafting every roof on site with the highest quality products, the team members achieve a level of accuracy, structural integrity and attention to detail that keeps their customers satisfied.

“We take great pride in doing things the right way, even when that means taking a little more time,” says Luke. “As a result, a significant portion of our work comes from customer recommendations and referrals. That’s something that unites us in our mission to grow our business by putting the customer first.”