Contemporary Conservatories

For those of you looking for something perhaps a bit more modern then what a Victorian or Edwardian conservatory has to offer, then you may want to consider contemporary conservatories.

A conservatory should add to your home’s value and desirability. If you have don’t have a period property then you ultimately want a design which is modern but not outlandish.

Contemporary conservatories are available in a wide range of styles. From bespoke designs to combination styles, your options are virtually limitless.

Modern Conservatory Ideas

Contemporary Conservatories There are many different routes to take when designing a modern conservatory. You can either keep things minimal, with a lean-to design or go for something much grander by combining conservatory styles.

Contemporary conservatories make fantastic kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms. However your plan to use your contemporary conservatory, it will provide you with years of enjoyment.

Tips For Contemporary Conservatories

There are many factors to consider when picking your modern conservatory style. Space, materials and even the practicality of your conservatory against the rest of your home will need to be considered. Don’t worry, help is at hand. Below we have created some helpful conservatory tips so you can choose the perfect conservatory for your home.

Contemporary Conservatories

Open up Your Space

How do you plan on using your conservatory? If you are planning on using your room as a place for lounging and relaxing then you can go for a fully glazed design. This will really open up the space between your conservatory and home.

Minimal Structure

Sometimes a minimal structure will be more complementary. This is especially true if your property has attractive architectural features.

A minimalist conservatory will not detract attention away from the property, allowing the building to be seen through the garden.

Matching Conservatory and Home

Getting the shape of your conservatory right is important. Your conservatory should be ‘knitted’ to the shape of your property.

Your conservatory should complement your original building structure – including the roof. Doing this successfully is a real art. The more subtler the design, the better the aesthetics.

Lacking Space?

A conservatory doesn’t necessarily need to stretch across the back of your home. A conservatory can be designed into a space of a L-shaped home. Make use of your awkward space and keep the conservatory design clean and simple.

Conservatory Materials

If you want to seamlessly connect conservatory and home then you will need to use matching materials. Similar coloured flooring materials and doors which open right out will knit your indoor and outdoor space together.

Contemporary Conservatories

Be Practical in Your Approach

If you are planning on having a living room conservatory then you will need to consider where your appliances will go. A good idea is to build in a brick wall where a TV can sit in place. You want to free up your floor area and hide any unsightly wiring.

Conservatory Colour

Contemporary Conservatories

Standard white may be a popular option but conservatory frames can be painted in many different colours.

Green or grey shades will help your conservatory to blend into your garden. If you have a small outdoor space then this can be ideal.

Keep Things Complementary

Allow you conservatory to echo your house. A cleverly designed conservatory will echo the shape of the property it is attached to. You want your conservatory to blend into your property, not look as if it is stuck on the end.

Conservatory Scale

The scale of your conservatory needs to be considered. A conservatory must be designed for the house its attached to. The shape and scale of your conservatory will require lots of attention at the planning stage.

Contemporary Conservatories

Don’t Lose Your Garden

When adding a conservatory it is important that you consider your garden space. Don’t lose your garden to your conservatory. The key to this is getting the size of your conservatory right. You need to get the right balance.

Plan Your Layout

Your interior space will need to be planned just as thoroughly as your exterior plot. Map out the location of furniture and make sure the shape of your conservatory is practical for your needs.

Period Detail

Get the best of both styles by combining a contemporary shape with period detailing. Contemporary conservatories can look great with a bit of period detail. For a unique look, try varying the thickness of the frames. This will provide you with a bespoke appearance.

Positioning

If your conservatory is south-facing then you may require conservatory blinds. A south-facing conservatory is will get more heat from the sun and blinds will provide protection from the suns UV rays. Another benefit to conservatory blinds is the privacy they provide. This is ideal if your conservatory is overlooked by neighbours.

Conservatory Roof

Your conservatory roof can be designed to provide you with more light and space. A vaulted ceiling for example will make a narrow room appear much bigger. Clever light affects can also be incorporated into the ceiling.

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Frequently Asked Conservatory Questions

In most instances the council tax will not increase on a property unless the additions another living quarter or self-contained annex. This means the addition of a conservatory should not increase the council tax payable on a property. To be absolutely certain you can always check the government's website which gives advice on council tax.

The main difference between a conservatory and an orangery is how the roof is constructed. A conservatory roof is over 75% glazed whereas an orangery roof has less than this amount. A conservatory also has over half of its wall space glazed whereas an orangery can include more brickwork than this.

Yes, you can put a conservatory on the front of your house. This is because conservatories come under the category of a permitted development. As such in most instances you do not need planning permission. This applies if the area surrounding the original house is not more than 50% covered by other buildings or additions.

There are many ways of gaining temperature control. Conservatory blinds, ventilating windows, cooling film and air conditioning to name a few. You might also want to consider replacing your conservatory roof with a tiled or solid design.

There are many ways of keeping your conservatory warm in the Winter. If you have a small conservatory then an electric heater will suffice but those with bigger conservatories may want to look into installing underfloor heating.
Glazing is also very important in a conservatory. Most heat can be lost through glass so ensure your conservatory glazing is thermally efficient. You can also tackle draughts or cold spots by installing conservatory blinds.

This will largely depend on your location. You will find that certain areas have different setbacks based on the use of the building. We recommend that you check with your local council or take a look at the Goverment's Planning Portal.

You must notify your neighbour if you want to:

- Build on or at the boundary of your 2 properties - Work on an existing party wall or party structure - Dig below and near to the foundation level of their property

Replacing your conservatory roof can indeed make your conservatory warmer however, this will depend on the type of roof you choose. A solid or tiled conservatory roof will offer greater insulation than a plastic or glazed roof.

A solid roof can be put on a conservatory. There are many solid conservatory roof designs available - just ask your chosen installer for a recommendation. The majority of new-build conservatories with a solid, tiled or glazed roof will not require planning permission. They are covered under what is known as 'permitted development'. However, building regulations will apply if you want to build an extension.

When it comes to your home improvement, it's important to have all the necessary legal documentation. The installation of a conservatory, orangery or porch does not require a FENSA registration form.

The average life span of a uPVC conservatory is largely dependent on the quality of materials and build. Typically, a uPVC frame can last up to 25 years but some can last for decades ensuring they are well maintained.

Planning permissions used to say that a certain percentage of roofing must be translucent in order for a conservatory to be exempt from planning permission. Changes to building regulations however, now means that you may not require planning permission for roof replacement.
Swapping your existing conservarory roof for a tiled or solid roof replacement can be done without needing to file for planning permission. Planning permission may be required however, if the height of your extension is changed following completion.

A conservatory is defined as a 'building that has no less than 75% of its roof area made of translucent material and no less than 50% of its total wall area made of glass.

It is possible to convert a conservatory to an orangery but it isn't a simple process. A surveyor will need to come out and assess your property and conservatory to see if it is at first , feasible.
Both extensions and orangeries often require planning permission and in order to satisfy requirements, a new structure will have to be built.

If a conservatory is within two metres of a boundary, a conservatory should not be higher than three metres. It must also not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than 3m if an attached house or by 4m if a detached house.

For construction work to begin a trench will need to be excavated to a minimum depth of 600mm. A conservatory needs footings just as much as any extension does.
Solid ground will need to found first and needs to be accepted by Building Control as being a minimum of 1 metre in standard conditions.

Foundations will need to be dug and because conservatories are lightweight in structure, their foundation loads are usually quite low. This can often lead to the notion that shallow foundations are satisfactory however, shallow foundations are more susceptible to subsidence.

Conservatories that are built with foundations shallower than the Building Regulations advise, are likely to encounter problems.

Building Regulations state:

A2. The building shall be constructed so that ground movement caused by :-
(a) swelling, shrinkage or freezing of the subsoil; or
(b) land-slip or subsidence (other than subsidence arising from shrinkage), in so far as the risk can be reasonably foreseen, will not impair the stability of any part of the building

Usually, there are no planning requirements when it comes to building a conservatory to a bungalow. However, the conservatory will be subject to certain conditions so be sure to check with your local building authority or with the Government's Planning Portal to ensure your conservatory remains within these guidelines.

When is a conservatory not a conservatory? In order for a structure to remain a permitted development (a conservatory), the build needs to comply with a number of rules. A conservatory must be ground level, must not be more than 30m2, must be thermally separated from the original building, have its own heating and have glazing in critical zones that meet Part N of the building regulations.

An extension refers to an additional structure that is anatomically in-keeping with your main property. An extension often requires planning permission unless it is classified as permitted development and is built with opaque cavity walls and brick-based foundations. Extensions are a big home improvement and investment, needing the work of an architect.
Conservatories or glazed extensions are perfect for those looking to add extra space on a budget. Typically, they are less of a logistical strain and in most cases do not require planning permission,

A conservatory can be built under permitted development rights, not needing an application for planning permission. A conservatory however is subject to the limits and conditions listed here. Building a conservatory onto an extension however, will be subject to different conditions. In some cases and under the permitted development regulations, you cannot attach an extension to an already extended part of a dwelling. It has to be attached to the original walls of the dwelling house.

Conservatories are generally much cheaper than a single-storey extension of the same size. The price difference will largely depend on size and how complex the structure is to build, as well as the quality of materials.

A conservatory or single-story extension can be built without planning permission if: It's a maximum of 4 metres high or 3 metres high, within 2 metres of a boundary and the conservatory or extension does not cover more than half of the garden.
From now until 2019, you can extend outwards by up to 8 metres for detached homes and 6 metres for other property types. For this, instead of applying for planning permission you will need to undergo a Neighbour Consultation Scheme.

In most circumstances, building regulations tend to apply when you build a new extension or a very large structure to your property. However, most of the time, conservatories are exempt from building regulations when they are erected at ground level and the floor surface areas is less than 30 square metres.

The average life expectancy of a conservatory depends on the quality of materials used as well as the installer. Generally speaking a conservatory built with uPVC window and door frames can last up to 25 - 30 years.

It is possible to build either a conservatory or a single-storey extension without gaining planning permission if: firstly, it has a maximum height of 4 metres or 3 metres high if situated within 2 metres of an existing boundary. The conservatory itself does not exceed over half the size of the garden.

Yes you can! Whatever the shape of your existing conservatory, you can be sure that there is a solid roof equivalent to meet your exacting requirements.

Changing roofs from a polycarbonate to a solid roof means that building regulations will apply. Your chosen installer will be able to answer any questions you have and help with any red tape such as contacting local authorities to resolve building regulations compliance.

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