Conservatories offer versatile accommodation and they are one
of the most cost effective ways of creating extra living space for your home. They
can usually be constructed more quickly than an extension and often do not need
planning permission.
Before jumping in, do your research to make sure you are
buying the best quality structure within your budget. Choose a reputable
builder. Visit the builder’s web site to see examples of their work and to read
customer testimonials (link to how to choose a builder article).
A quotation for your conservatory
Ask your
builder what is included in his quote.
Does it include flooring, electrics, heating and ventilation? You would be advised to have heating and ventilation
installed so that you can use your conservatory year round. A separate heating
system will enable you to heat your conservatory without needing to use your
main heating system.
The majority
of conservatories do not need planning or building regulations approval, listed
building are a notable exception, but
you would be well advised to check ahead. Get it wrong and you might have to
take it down!
Think carefully about the position of your conservatory. South
facing and it will take the full sun and so will need good ventilation and
shade in the summer. North facing and you will need some heating in the winter.
Take care that your conservatory does not take up too much space in your garden
and choose a design which is keeping with your house.
The structure of your conservatory
Most
conservatories have concrete foundations, cavity brickwork lower walls with
glazed upper walls and roof panels set within frames. A number of materials can be used for the
frames, UPVC is the most economical and the most commonly used, but UPVC might
not be allowed on listed buildings or in conservation areas. Alternatives are aluminium, steel and timber.
What type of glass is used in
conservatories?
For safety, toughened
or laminated glass must be used throughout. Laminated glass offers added
security benefits against break-ins and cuts out around 90% of the sun’s UV
rays, which fade furnishings.
To prevent overheating, particularly if your conservatory
faces south, use solar control glass such as K2's Celsius Performance Glass or
bronze polycarbonate panels for the roof. This can reduce the temperature by
several degrees in the summer as well as reducing glare. You can also consider ridge
ventilation and roof lights that open automatically above a given temperature to
allow air to circulate.
