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

How much do wooden conservatories cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of a wooden conservatory depends on a number of factors, including the size of the conservatory, the finish and your property’s requirements. While wooden conservatories will cost more than a uPVC one, you might be surprised about the difference in quality and look for the extra cost. Generally, there are two types of wood that installers use for conservatories: softwood and hardwood. Softwood usually refers to European redwood or Siberian larch, and is the cheapest to buy because it grows much faster than hardwoods. However, softwood conservatories may only last between 7-15 years, so might not work out to be as cost effective. Therefore, it’s best to choose a conservatory company that can install a hardwood conservatory for you as they are much better quality. Depending on the type of wood your wooden conservatory is made from, how big it is and what style you want to go for, you should expect to spend anywhere between £25,000 - £60,000. The most expensive type of wood for a conservatory is likely to be oak, which is very strong and can be manufactured to make it bug and pest-resistant and still have a polished look. Although it’s the most expensive, it also looks the best, will probably last longest and will need very little maintenance.

Question 3

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.

Question 4

How do wooden conservatories add value to my home?

Accepted Answer

Conservatories have long been a favourite home improvement with homeowners, and there are no signs of that trend going away. And because of that, they add value to homes.

Wooden conservatories add value to your home just as any other type would. In fact, in some cases a wooden conservatory will add more value to your property than a uPVC or aluminium one, for example if your home is a period property. A wooden conservatory will fit in keeping with the rest of an older property, so buyers will prefer a period home with a wood conservatory over a uPVC one.

It’s important to remember that wooden conservatories cost more than uPVC ones, but that does mean that they will add more value. They look more stylish than uPVC conservatories and may last just as long with the right care and maintenance, so if a wooden conservatory would complement your home much more than uPVC they’re worth looking into.

A wooden conservatory will set you back anywhere between £25,000 to £60,000, so factor this in when you’re thinking about how much value it will add to your home. It’s also worth thinking about the other things that will have an impact on the value it will add to your home, such your property’s location, whether conservatories are a common addition to houses in your area, the general look of your home and whether the conservatory would take up a large part of your garden. If you’re unsure whether a wooden conservatory will add enough value to your home, you could speak to a surveyor or valuer to give you their opinion before you start any work.

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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