Question 1

Do I need planning permission for a wooden conservatory?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is generally, you don’t need planning permission for a wooden conservatory. Conservatories come under permitted development rights, so you can usually build a conservatory without having to apply for planning permission. However, there are certain criteria that have to be met to ensure that your wooden conservatory comes under permitted development rights: The rules only apply to houses – flats and maisonettes are not included Only 50% of the area of land around the original house can be covered by extensions, including conservatories, and other buildings You mustn’t build the conservatory higher than the highest part of the original roof Where the wooden conservatory comes within 2 metres of the boundary, the height at the eaves can’t exceed 3 metres A rear wooden conservatory can’t extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than 4 metres if it’s a detached house, or more than 3 metres for any other type of house For side extensions, for example a lean-to wooden conservatory, it can’t exceed 4 metres in height and can only be up to half the width of the original house Unless you’re planning on installing a very large construction, it’s very unlikely that you’ll need planning permission for your wooden conservatory. There are different rules for if your property is situated on a Site of Special Scientific Interest or conservation area or you live in a listed building, so make sure you investigate further if this applies to you. Your local planning office should be able to help or ask your installer who will be able to point you in the right direction.

Question 2

What’s the cost of a hardwood conservatory?

Accepted Answer

If you want a wooden conservatory, a hardwood conservatory is the best option. Softwood conservatories are cheaper because the wood grows faster, but they aren’t as weather resistant so won’t last as long. Choose a hardwood conservatory and it should last you over 15 years. Hardwood conservatories will set you back anywhere between £35,000 and £60,000, depending on your requirements. Of course, the larger your conservatory, the more it will cost, but other factors such as the type of wood, the finish and any dwarf walls will make a difference too. Oak is the hardiest type of wood, making it the most expensive – but it can be finished with a bug and pest resistant coating and still retain its polished look, so many people think it’s worth spending their money on. Other hardwoods used for conservatories are idigbo, Brazilian cedar and luan and are cheaper than oak but are still a great option. If you’d prefer to keep the cost of your hardwood conservatory towards the lower end of the range, choose one of these. You can still get them in a variety of finishes and they are still natural heat retainers, so you’ll get a conservatory that is as warm as it can be. If you want to use your conservatory all year round, it might be worth thinking about having dwarf walls installed with your hardwood conservatory so you can plumb in radiators.

Question 3

Are wooden conservatories expensive?

Accepted Answer

If you’ve ever looked into different types of conservatories, you’ll see that wooden conservatories are not the cheapest. However, that’s not a reason to dismiss them as an option for your home.

Wooden conservatories can cost anywhere between £15,000 to £60,000. While this may seem expensive, they are often a much classier option for your home and are ideal for period homes and those in a conservation area where uPVC might not be permitted.

If you choose a hardwood conservatory, you could see your conservatory last over 15 years. Most uPVC conservatories will only last around this time, and as they get old they can look shabby; it’s common for the frames to discolour in the sun. With good maintenance, wooden conservatories can look fabulous for years. Wood naturally retains heat too, so ensure that you use low-e internal glass which reflects heat back into the room and you’ll have as warm a conservatory as any.

When you weigh up all of the pros and cons of uPVC conservatories compared with wooden ones, you might come to the conclusion that wooden conservatories aren’t that expensive when it boils down to it. Although the initial cost is higher, you’ll get a better-looking conservatory that works with both modern and period properties and will look elegant and tasteful for years to come.

Question 4

How to build a wooden lean-to conservatory?

Accepted Answer

Lean-to conservatories are often known as Mediterranean conservatories or sunrooms and are a great way to add more living space when you’ve only got a small amount of room to work with. They usually have clean lines, a rectangular shape and attach to the side or rear of your home, which makes them one of the easiest conservatory types to build yourself.

So how do you build a wooden lean-to conservatory? The first step is to decide what you want it to look like. Most lean-to conservatories are constructed of glass and the wood frame, but you can choose to have dwarf walls too. Dwarf walls are low brick walls that are useful if you’re planning to plumb in radiators, have air conditioning installed or put plug sockets in the conservatory.

When you’ve decided what your wooden lean-to conservatory is going to look like, you’ll need to get the materials. You’ll need to choose a hardy wood – oak is the most expensive but also the most durable – and source glass for the windows. You’ll also need to decide on a roof material and work out the correct pitch.

The first step to building your wooden lean-to conservatory is to dig the foundations. You’ll then need to level the earth, then add concrete to the correct height, which should be lower than your property’s existing damp course. Then, you’ll build up to the damp course, which will be your conservatory’s floor level. Don’t forget to make sure it’s even.

If you’re building a dwarf wall, start it from the base and build up to no more than 1 metre high. Once the cement is dry, place external sills on top of the dwarf wall. You’ll then need to secure the frames; start with the one that secures to your property, then do the same for the rest, connecting outwards until they meet from the two sides. Then put up your doors.

Now it’s time to build the roof. This should be simple if you’ve bought your own custom-made kit. Place the roof ridge on top of the frames, then add the roof rafters between the roof ridge and hip bars. Fit your glazing sheets and guttering – it’s important that your wooden conservatory roof has guttering just like your house, otherwise your conservatory roof won’t last very long and could even cause rainwater to rot your wooden frames.

Once you’ve built your wooden lean-to conservatory, all that’s left is to decide on how you want to decorate it. But if this all sounds like too much, get in touch with specialist wooden conservatory installers who will be able to give you a quote for building you a lean-to conservatory.

Avg. price low	Avg. price low £45,000
Avg. price	Avg. price £60,000
Avg. price high	Avg. price high £69,000

	Labour cost	£42,000
	Material cost	£15,000
	Waste removal	£3,000

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