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Since our launch in February 2010 ExtensionsSupermarket have become the fastest growing Price Comparison sites for any kind of UK Home Extensions, Kitchen Extensions, Loft Conversion, Garage Conversions, Basement Conversions & Conservatories.
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Why Build a Conservatory?
Conservatories were very popular in Victorian and Edwardian times and, with the introduction of modern building techniques, have become an affordable and desirable part of modern-day living. In fact, over a quarter of a million were built in 2006.
For many people conservatories are an ideal way of acquiring more living space without having to move house. In many instances planning permission is not needed for a conservatory and, provided they are well-built, they are almost guaranteed to add value to your property.
A Conservatory provide a versatile space and can be used as a sun room, dining room, breakfast room, family den, study or even kitchen. One of the real advantages of conservatories over any other type of extension, is that they let in the light and warmth from the garden whilst at the same time providing shelter from the elements.
Conservatories & Planning Permission
Sixty percent of all conservatories built require planning permission. Different local authorities have different rules and regulations so always contact your local planning office for advice. As a starting point, however, there are some general rules of thumb:
- Detached or semi-detached houses can be extended by up to 70 cubic metres or 115% of the house's total volume, whichever is greater. This, however, includes any previous extensions.
- Similar provisions apply to terraced or end of terrace houses but the limit is reduced to 50 cubic metres.
- Planning permission is unlikely to be granted if the conservatory covers more than half of the garden. Likewise, conservatories should not normally be 20m or less from the road or public footpath.
- If your conservatory juts out from the house by more than 3m, planning permission is likely to be denied on the grounds that it will affect your neighbours' enjoyment of their property. Similar rules apply to conservatories built within 2m of the boundary if the highest point is 4m or more.
- If your house is a Grade II listed building or in a conservation area, you may be obliged to use hardwood and glass rather than modern materials.
Where Do I Build My Conservatory?
Conservatories have traditionally been built on the back of properties, leading out to the garden, although it is possible to have them on the side or even the front. Since they are designed to feel part of the garden they are almost exclusively built on ground floor level, although there is no real reason (apart from planning implications) why conservatories cannot be built on an upper level, depending on the design of your house.
Different aspects bring with them different advantages and disadvantages, and careful consideration should be given to the direction of your proposed conservatory at the planning stage.
- East-facing conservatory - This will get the sun in the morning so is ideal for a breakfast room. It will not overheat in the middle of the day or evening.
- West-facing conservatory - This will get the sun from late afternoon onwards and provides good conditions for many plants.
- North-facing conservatory - This will get angled sun at the start and end of the day and, although it will not overheat in the summer, it could be bitterly cold in the winter. Unless you are using the conservatory solely as a summer sun-room, give careful consideration to how you are going to heat it.
- South-facing conservatory - This is excellent for catching the sun but will be unbearably hot in the summer with the sun overhead at the hottest time of the day. Give careful thought to ventilation and blinds.
Designing Conservatories
Perhaps the most important point when planning the sort of conservatory is to ensure that it is in keeping with the rest of the house. Ornate conservatories can look wrong on a plain Georgian or 1960s house, for instance, and modern materials do not complement period buildings.
Although it is wise to make the most of your new space, make sure that it does not dwarf the original house by making it too big. Similarly, do not lose too much of your garden by being over-ambitious with your conservatory plans.
When planning your dimensions it is a good idea to mark the area out with string and place some garden furniture in it, to get an idea of how much room you need. If you are planning to use it as a dining room, make sure that you have enough room for a dining table and chairs.
Think carefully about the positioning of French doors. Having them at the front of the conservatory is good when they are open leading on to the lawn but it can give a corridor feel and restrict where you put your furniture. It may therefore be better to have them at the side, leading on to the patio or garden path.
There is little consistency within the industry as to what constitutes a Victorian, Edwardian or Georgian conservatory. Even the humble "lean-to" design is often referred to as a Home Extender. There are brochures galore, however, showing every possible variation, and the Internet is an excellent starting point.
Building Conservatories
Much will of course depend on your level of expertise but if you are on a limited budget and keen on DIY then it is well worth exploring the "kits" available. They come with full instructions and most suppliers will be happy to advise on particular problems. It is fair to say that you only get what you pay for so buy the best that you can afford. The "kit" does not include the materials for the base so remember to take this into account when budgeting.
If you do not feel up to going it totally alone, you can always pay for a bricklayer to build the base or get a carpenter to erect the conservatory. By doing the work yourself you have control over the finish, you are not going to rush and take shortcuts which may in the long run be problematical and, if you are a perfectionist, you only have yourself to blame for any parts of the job that are less than perfect.
If you are employing a building company to do the work, be aware that much of it may be subcontracted out. Make sure that you are happy with the professionalism of everyone working on the project and do not be afraid of asking questions, such as who is responsible for disposing of the rubbish generated.
By all means negotiate your price but it rarely pays to take the cheapest quote. Unfortunately it is usually the less professional companies that can afford to be beaten down on price. Although this is obviously a more expensive option than a DIY job, you may not have the skills or time necessary for the job, in which case it will be money well spent.
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Home Extensions - House Extension Costs - Kitchen Extensions
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