Make The Most Of Your Conservatory

 

 

How Can I Make The Most Of My Conservatory?

You can make the most of your conservatory with a few small additions that can transform it entirely. In your home, you may not be able to use one of these spaces as often as you’d like.

Older designs are often difficult to use them in both the summer and the winter, as they use thin materials like polycarbonate and single-glazed glass. These materials let heat pass through them with ease, leading to fluctuating temperatures.

Because of this, you may only use your conservatory for storage, or occasionally when the temperature permits it. However, it doesn’t have to be this way.

Modern designs are far better at staying warm and comfortable, and they can even help your home to become more energy efficient. But you don’t have to tear your current space down to build a new one.

Instead, you can add new elements to your build as replacement options. These can be large installations, such as a brand-new roof, or smaller alterations like new flooring.

When you add these little changes together, though, they create an enormous difference. You’ll be able to reclaim control of your conservatory, and you can use it in greater comfort and for more purposes too.

That way, you’ll feel like you’ve expanded your home while doing and spending far less than you should have. You’ll be able to use your space as it should be, and you’ll make the most of your conservatory.

With new roofing, doors, flooring and other additions, you can also style them to suit you with a range of colours and finishes. As a result, you can add a splash of personality to a conservatory that’ll feel as good as new.

Replacing Conservatory Roof

Replacement Conservatory Roofs

Your roof can play a crucial role in enhancing your conservatory. The roof comes into the most contact with the sun, meaning that a weak roof won’t channel this energy properly. With the right roofing, however, you can absorb the light and warmth from the sun and keep it in your space.

You’ll have a choice of innovative roofing materials that don’t just let warmth fill your home but insulate it to keep the cold away as well.

Conservatory Roof Styles

You can make the most of your conservatory’s brightness with a glass roof. Instead of single-glazing, though, you can invest in a double glazed roof that gives you more protection from the cold.

Also, with another pane of glass, you’ll reduce the glare from the material. That means, when the sun is shining brightly, it won’t cause the conservatory to become too hot or too bright either.

However, glass roofs aren’t the ideal option for many conservatories. While you’ll be able to make some difference to how your space performs, glazing doesn’t offer as much protection as other materials.

Light can bounce between the glazing in the roof and the surrounds of your build as well, creating a greenhouse effect. While it’s an affordable option, you could do better with more durable options.

Solid roofing is a more reliable option for your build. These roofs use durable materials like slate and concrete, to give your space more insulation and more privacy.

The main benefit is that you’ll be able to have more control over the lighting of your living area, as well as the temperature. Also, solid roofs have more insulation than glass, meaning they could even help you to save money on your energy bills.

These robust options are better at protecting your home from the weather as well. Wind and rain won’t be able to do anything to your roof, and it’ll even reduce the noise of the rain hitting your home.

Solid roofs have superb sound insulation throughout the design, meaning you and your family can enjoy your newly refreshed space with less distraction.

Alternatively, you could select lightweight tiles, which help you make the most of your conservatory’s style. If you have a space that looks tired and drab, then adding tiles can help you provide a splash of personality to the build.

You can choose unique colours and finishes for each tile individually, or as a set, giving you total flexibility. However, tiles have many more benefits than that.

Your tiles will have similar performance to solid roofing but have a more traditional quality to them. Their timeless look means they work well on older designs, like the Victorian or Edwardian styles.

Also, the individual tiles work perfectly as a team. They stick together with little-to-no gaps for air and water to get through, ensuring brilliant insulation. Not only that, but their lightness means they won’t put an extra strain on your build.

Conservatory Doors

Getting new doors also helps you open up your conservatory to better performance. While older doors can be creaky and clunky, with narrow openings, modern designs are bold, innovative and connect your space seamlessly to your home and your garden.

For an elegant option, you could fit French doors to the front of the build. They swing outward like curtains to make going into your garden a little more theatrical.

However, they aren’t the only option by far. When it comes to connecting your conservatory to your home, then you could go for a sliding door. These doors operate on a slider, meaning you can push them along to leave a wide-open space.

That way, you’ll make your home and your extended space feel like one when you open them. But you’ll also think that when you shut your doors, as they have clear glazing and slim sightlines.

Also, you can add doors that have stunning opening systems that give your conservatory a new focal point. For example, you could push the boat out with bi-fold doors.

They work much like sliding ones, but use multiple panels of glazing that fold over each other when you open them. The result is a seamless and accessible entrance to your garden, which you can improve even further with a low-threshold option.

Conservatory Flooring

If new roofing helps you make the most of your conservatory from the top, then adding new flooring enables you to do it from the ground up. You can choose from a series of unique and stylish materials for your floor that can affect how your space looks and certainly feels.

For example, you could choose a new carpet. However, if you use your garden a lot, you’ll bring in dirt which can collect easily.

Instead of a carpet, you could also choose wooden flooring. Of course, a timber design evokes traditional class, and you can select different kinds of wood to get the look just right.

Alternatively, you could go for a tiled design which offers an authentic, homely look for your space. However, these materials can wear quickly, especially wood, and they can be cold underfoot, although you can install underfloor heating to combat this.

One of the best ways to make the most of your conservatory flooring is to add a laminate to your wood. The laminate can shield the wood from wear and tear, and it’ll stop dirt and spillage from staining the timber.

As a result, your room will be much easier to clean and maintain. Not only that, but you’ll protect the wood and even improve the warmth underfoot a little bit, making laminate flooring a superb investment.

Ideas to Make The Most Of Your Conservatory

With new replacement options, you can style your conservatory so that you can use it for any ideas you might have for your home. Your roofing, for example, can help you create a warm and dramatic dining area.

You’ll be able to customise your roof to have areas of glazing and other areas of tiles or solid materials for more control of your lighting. Also, you can add a roof lantern for a perfect overhead view above the table.

With a new door, you can open up your space with even more light to create a relaxing lounge area or social hub. Not only that but when the weather turns warm, you’ll have doors that open beautifully to let fresh air enter your home and to bring your garden closer to you.

These doors will also operate smoothly for thousands of uses thanks to their durable materials and internal hardware, and they’ll secure your home as well.

how long will a conservatory last

Also, your flooring can even help you to create an office space or study. With dark wooden flooring, you can set the mood, and you can also add obscured glass around your conservatory for added privacy.

Finally, you can customise any of these replacement options with colours, finishes and other features. Because of this, you won’t only make the most of your conservatory again, but it’ll be unique to you as well.

Conservatory Price Calculator

To find out how to make the most of your conservatory with these features, talk to Double Glazing On The Web. You can select all the features you want using our online conservatory quote builder.

With this interactive tool, you can compare roofing options, door designs and flooring to choose the options that suit your style, needs and budget. Then, we can give you an instant online quote for your design.

Also, we put you in contact with local installers in your area, who’ll help you transform your conservatory with a brilliant service. They’ll work around your schedule, so they disrupt your days as little as possible, and their fitting will be free as part of your quote.

Many of these trusted traders are Which? Trusted Traders too, or members of other bodies like Checkatrade, ensuring they’ll install your new additions just right.

To make the most of your conservatory, contact us today!

Frequently Asked Conservatory Questions

IThe majority of conservatories with a tiled conservatory roof will not require planning permission. This is because they are covered under what is known as a 'permitted development.'

However, Building Regulations will apply if you want to build an extension on your home.

Whether you are looking to invest in a brand-new conservatory, or just wanting to replace your existing conservatory roof, there are many conservatory roofing options available. The most popular conservatory roof materials are:
  • Solid Roofs
  • Glass
  • Polycarbonate

Solid Conservatory Roofs

If you are looking to achieve a more contemporary appearance, then a solid conservatory roof provides the perfect combination of conservatory and home extension. This conservatory roof option allows you to make use of the space you have, providing you with a living area you can use all year round.

Worried about light? Roof windows or glazed panels can be incorporated into the design, enhancing natural light for a light and airy feel. A lightweight tiled roof conservatory is also up to 15 times more thermally efficient than any other roof.

Polycarbonate Conservatory Roofs

Polycarbonate Roof Ideal for those on a tighter budget, a polycarbonate is often seen as a cost-effective option to roof glazing. They come in many different options such as different colours, shading and U-Values.

Typical colours include Bronze, Clear and Opal.

Glass Conservatory Roofs

Glass conservatory roofs are a popular choice because they provide great temperature control. They help to prevent your conservatory from being too hot in the Summer and too cold in the Winter.

It can also be specified with self-cleaning properties, helping to keep roof maintenance to a minimum.

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.
The majority of conservatory roofs can be replaced within the course of a day however, this is dependent on design. A solid conservatory roof with added extras such as lighting, might take longer than a day.

Your chosen conservatory installer will protect any existing finishes during the project so no need to worry about your existing floor being damaged during transformation.

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 Nof 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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