Family Conservatory

Conservatories have evolved architecturally through the ages. From a simple glass extension filled with foliage, to the modern builds we see today.

The Georgian period saw the conservatory transform into a grand, stately structure with delicate finishes. Reserved only for the wealthy, conservatories were out of reach for the majority.

Conservatories became more attainable during the Victorian and Edwardian era. The role of the conservatory yet again changed and many home owners celebrated its social aspect, using the conservatory to entertain guests over a spot of afternoon tea.

Many of the classic styles from these periods are still used today. Classic designs include the Victorian, Edwardian and Gable conservatory.

Conservatory

The Modern Conservatory

The role of a modern conservatory is to provide extra space, as well as bring additional light and depth to a property. Today’s modern conservatory is versatile and can be incorporated into many different housing builds. Even terraced houses and bungalows can now benefit from a conservatory.

A conservatory is no longer seen as a place to simply relax in. Conservatories are designed to accommodate for a number of different lifestyles and are marketed as having a variety of uses.

The Family Conservatory

Conservatory Ideas

Traditionally, conservatories were a place in which to relax and enjoy a garden view but the role of the conservatory has changed.

Conservatories are now used for a wide range of uses and for a growing family; they provide the extra space a busy household needs.

An ideal space for your family to gather and unwind, a bright conservatory creates the perfect environment for your children to play in by day and for you to relax in at night.

Family Conservatory Ideas

The conservatory has become an informal space. A place for homework, TV, music and even parties.

Conservatories are often used for social gatherings, especially during the summer when guests can access the garden outside.

Storage Space

Keep the space organised by hiding away any books, magazine or toys. Having a designated area within your home for toys, books and games will allow you to unwind in a different part of your property. Think about purchasing versatile storage units. Quick tidy options include tables with drawers such as a coffee table.

Get creative. Old boxes or tins can make great containers. Make a day of it with your children and spend time painting and decorating storage units.

Play Area

If you are creating a family play area then you will want to invest in durable furniture. A neutral theme will allow you to get creative with vibrant storage units. You want to transform the space into a colourful playroom for your children to use.

Family Gym

If you have a lot of gym equipment then why not store your sports gear in a conservatory? The light and airy atmosphere provides an ideal setting to work out in. If you are worried about your conservatory overheating then a simply fan will provide you with the ventilation you need.

Conservatory Dining Room / Kitchen Extension

Conservatory Ideas A conservatory can make a wonderful dining room. The bright atmosphere it provides makes it a great place to entertain dinner guests.

From formal dinner parties to family BBQs, this light and spacious room offers the ideal setting.

For those wanting a larger kitchen, a conservatory offers an affordable solution.

They can be built as an extension to your kitchen, providing you with additional dining or seating areas. A kitchen conservatory will transform your cooking and dining experience. It will provide you with a light and spacious room in which to dine, entertain and cook.

Conservatory Furniture

Conservatory Space Depending on how you plan to use your conservatory, you will want to decorate accordingly. Choosing the right conservatory furniture will make family life that little bit easier.

Creating a Relaxing Space

If you will be using your conservatory as a space to relax in then you will want to incorporate natural patterns and neutral tones.

Once you have found a colour palette to your liking, it is important to stick with it and use it throughout the room.

In terms of furniture stick to soft furnishings. You want to create a comfortable seating area in which to relax in. Imagine sinking down onto a deep sofa with plush cushions, the worries of the day forgotten. Get your conservatory furniture right, and this could be you.

Flooring

If you are thinking of turning your conservatory into a play area for your children then you will want to consider flooring options. Laminate flooring will be the best option in this instance as it is easier to clean than carpet. Laminate flooring is also more affordable, with many online retailers offering cheap deals.

Lighting and Conservatory Blinds

Automatic lighting or mood settings will make your conservatory usable for a variety of different purposes. These extras allow you to fully maximise the space you have available.

Conservatory blinds will not only allow you to maintain your privacy but also allow you to control the amount of light entering your conservatory. They will insulate your conservatory during the winter, keeping it warm and liveable. Conservatory blinds will also keep your room cool during the summer, blocking out the suns UV rays.

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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 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.

Family Conservatory

The Modern Conservatory