Conservatories

What to consider when planning a conservatory

Scope of the project

When discussing your needs with a conservatory specialist it is important you are very clear about what you want doing. Are you replacing an existing conservatory and thus need them to take down and remove all existing materials; is it a new addition to your house; are there planning limitations or restrictions on the type of conservatory you can build. It is worth having an in-depth conversation with a number of conservatory companies to get an idea of what is possible given the size, location and appearance of your house.

Choice of Design and Planning Requirements

First, decide on what style of conservatory you think is appropriate for your property. There are a wide range of styles available from the popular Victorian look to the square or rectangular Georgian-style room. Other options are the Sunroom with its low pitch roof or the Lantern style which adds extra height to the structure. Alternatively you can choose to have a combination of styles.

This is potentially a big investment and you need to think about how big you need this additional space to be, what it will be used for and the shape. Think about how you envisage using your new conservatory: As a playroom? A dining area? A home office? Your conservatory’s day-to-day use should help you determine how large it needs to be as well as which layout and shape will work best.

It is also important that the conservatory style matches your house for a complementary look. However, some styles come with large price tags so make sure you think through all the implications of your choice of design.

Once you think you have decided on shape and size, go outside and actually mark the planned boundaries and walk around within them to get an accurate impression of your conservatory’s dimensions. Remember that the walls will take up space so your conservatory’s interior will be smaller than the area marked. This will give you a much better sense of usability of the space you are proposing to have built.

You should also do your homework on the materials and the building permits that you may need to get. There is a reason why uPVC conservatories are more popular these days than hardwood; their DIY conservatory prices are a lot cheaper than timber built conservatories and will enable you to benefit from years of hassle free maintenance.

If you’re building a conservatory in England or Wales, you will not usually need planning permission. However, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you are in any doubt, always check as early as you can with your local authority or use the planning portal, www.planningportal.gov.uk to start your research. If you live in Scotland, conservatories do have to comply with Part J of the building regulations. Again, check with your local authority for full details.

Positioning

The position of your planned conservatory is very important and will have a direct influence on your final choice of design, layout and furnishings.

South facing: Conservatories facing south receive more direct sunlight, so you might want to consider additional ventilation or blinds. Although south facing conservatories sound good in theory, think about whether they will overheat in the summer. Talk to your conservatory expert about the use of different glass types, reflective coatings and ventilation. Choosing the right glass could help regulate the inside temperature.

North facing: less likely to get sun, so you need to think about whether you would get as much use out of the additional space as you are planning. You also need to think about heating or how to prevent heat loss.

East facing: East facing conservatories catch the early morning sun and make ideal morning or breakfast rooms – again think about whether this matches your plans for how you are intending to use the room.

West facing: West facing conservatories catch the evening sunset and are a perfect place to relax after a long day– again think about whether this matches with your plans for how you are intending to use the room.

Do- it-Yourself or Hire a Tradesman

There are a number of DIY conservatory kits you can buy from the larger retailers such as Wickes, www.wickes.co.uk, or B&Q, www.diy.com, with most of them in the £2,000 to £3,000 price range. This will reduce your cost but you still need to do your research on what supplier you are going to use. For further tips and advice on DIY projects visit our  DIY page.

If you decide to get your conservatory professionally designed and installed, make sure you shop around and obtain quotes from reputable tradesmen. xpertfind.com can help you get these quotes. xpertfind.com makes it quick and easy for customers to find a local conservatory company. 

Click here: to post your conservatory job online. Let xpertfind do the hard work of finding 3 quality conservatory specialists who can provide you with quotes. Who you go with is your decision.

Be careful when choosing your conservatory company or installer. Don’t automatically go for the company with the lowest quote unless its products and services also happen to be better than the competition and be sure to use installers who offer an insurance backed guarantee.