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What Is A Conservatory?

A conservatory is basically a structure constructed on a property that’s usually attached to the side of a home. It’s a room as well as a greenhouse that’s constructed with the help of a wide range of materials which includes bricks, wood, glass and polycarbonate. A conservatory is typically built with a great amount of glass which enables it to offer huge amount of sun and light. During construction, the idea is always to muster sufficient sunlight for the plants while also enabling a cosy room within the structure especially during the cold months. Generally, conservatory extensions’ walls are made of over 50 percent of glass, while their roofs are usually made up of more than 75 percent glass.

Thanks to the advancement in technology, conservatories have also greatly developed over the years. They’ve significantly evolved from the usual luxury greenhouses to normal and everyday home extensions. Conservatories have also grown to become very energy-efficient while also providing super comfort to the extent that they’re now being used throughout the year. And while it’s formerly known to be an occasional room, it’s now more of a home’s extension.

Legally, conservatories are usually covered by what’s called the permitted development rights which exempts them from both planning permission and building regulations. The conditions below form the legal definition of a conservatory to differentiate it from an extension.

✓ Below 30 square metres in size

✓ Constructed at ground level

✓ Separated from the main building by external walls, doors or windows.

✓ Possesses its own stand alone heating system

✓ The glazing as well as fixed electrical fittings are in compliance with the relevant building regulations.

When you build a new wood-constructed conservatory, or any type of conservatory, you’ll need to dig a trench for the footings. You’ll need to dig to a minimum depth of 600mm and at least 300mm below your property’s damp proof course. When you dig down, you might expose obstacles such as underground pipes.

If this happens, you’ll need lintels for your wood-constructed conservatory. These are usually concrete and protect the pipes or obstructions from being crushed. You may also want to use steel mesh for additional support.

Building Regulations state that if an opening is formed in a wall, the structure above the opening needs to be supported. This will be especially relevant if you’re building a wooden lean-to conservatory. It says that there are two ways that you can use lintels to provide support.

The first way involves using a steel lintel to support both the inner and outer leaf of a cavity wall. It can then serve as a cavity tray that directs moisture from the cavity through the outer skin of the wall as well.

The second way to use lintels is to use two steel or concrete lintels. They support each leaf of a cavity wall construction. You’ll need separate thermal insulation and a cavity tray as well.

Whatever type of lintel you use, it should have a suitable bearing onto the wall at each side. If you’re not sure, speak to the manufacturer of your wood-constructed conservatory, or ask a reputable company to install it for you.

Do I Need Planning Permission For A Wooden Conservatory?

The addition of a conservatory to your home is classified as a “permitted development and according to the 2008 legislation, you do not need to apply for a planning permission to add a wooden conservatory to your home so far you are within some particular limits. These regulations are summarized below:

• All extensions must not be more than one storey and the height must be lower or equal to the existing building’s roof or 4m at the maximum.

• There are multiple limitations on the extent you can extend from your existing property depending on a few factors such as the type of your house as well as the location of the extension, be it at the rear or side of the building.

• If your wooden conservatory is to be constructed at the rear, it must not go beyond 3 metres from the attached house’s original property and 4 metres in a detached house. Also, the wooden conservatory mustn’t go beyond half the space around the property.

• The wooden conservatory must not go beyond half the size of the original house. Similar conditions govern that of the space around the existing building.

• Extensions that are not covered by the permitting rights are the ones constructed in front of the property or those directly facing the main street or road.

• Listed Building content may be needed in the event whereby there’s a Listed Building proposed work.

This is just a brief of the conditions that applies, however, the fact remains most property owners can have a wooden conservatory installed without having to apply for planning permission. It is advisable to consult your local planning office before you construct an extension. In certain cases, all work may require planning permission if there’s a permitted development rights removal. Click here to learn more about wooden conservatories

What Is The Best Material For A Conservatory Roof?

In the past, conservatories normally have just a single roof material option - polycarbonate. However, there are a number of problems that was faced by some of the older models such as overheating, leaking roof, cold spots as well as poor sound insulation. With the great improvement in conservatory roof technology, better models have been developed which have completely eradicated these issues.

In recent times, we now have a wider varieties of materials that are incorporated to make conservatory roofs which are able to perform much better for a longer period of time. While tiled roof are incredibly useful to minimize heat loss, glass roof make use of clever reflective coating to keep the space at a comfortable temperature and modern polycarbonate roofs are now more energy efficient than it has ever been. So picking the best material for your conservatory roof is now a matter of preference.

✓ Glass conservatory roofs. This type of conservatory roof material is the perfect choice if you want a sleek, architectural finish for your conservatory. Not only are they available indifferent shapes and sizes, but you can also choose a large atrium style roof. They are made using solid aluminium frames that works to support the glass units which are thermally efficient and designed to retain natural heat while reflecting the sun’s glare.

✓ Tiled conservatory roof. Tiles roof are able to fit both the shape and size of your conservatory which provides you with a sloping or vaulted ceiling. They come in varying tiled finishes to match any style home like Marley clay, slate grey, pale shingles amongst others. Tiled roof are also called “warm roofs due to their particularly high levels of thermal insulation. They can also be installed quite easily and as quickly as any other conservatory roof options.

It always an exciting decision to extend your home, be it adding to an existing room or building a new one all together. However, the problem starts when you realize there are so many options giving you a tricky challenge of knowing which to choose or where to start. There are great differences in renovations between homes, but a common question that remains is whether to go for a conservatory or an orangery.

There are large array of differences between the styles and knowing a thing or two about the special attributes is definitely a great way to get started. Let’s have a look!

• Orangeries are generally best suited to traditional-styled homes or with older property making use of matching stone or brick in construction. Meanwhile for a more recent or modern property, a conservatory will be the better option to add the flair to your property.

• Conservatories tend to be larger than orangeries, therefore if you want a smaller extension, an orangery would be your best bet.

• Orangeries are typically rectangular in shape and is traditionally a more regular building meanwhile a conservatory can be shaped to suit your needs. With an conservatory, you can get a T-shaped, L-shaped, curved, double ended and lean-to extensions to suit your preference.

• An orangery usually possess a flat roof at the edges with a glazed lantern section right at the centre. You can also find more luxurious orangeries having two or more lantern sections. However, when it comes to the roofing, conservatories generally have more options. Some are gabled or pitched, others are lean-to with a plethora of choice to finish off the roof.

• Due to the fact that orangeries are made of more brick than glass when compared to conservatories, they usually provide more insulation than their counterpart. If your goal is to use the extension during the winter months, then constructing an orangery is the best bet.

Most conservatories won’t require Building Regulations approval. However, if you’re planning a conservatory more than 30 square metres in floor space this may be required. If there is no linking door between the home and conservatory then Buildings Regulations approval will be needed too. For more information and to ensure getting everything right, speak to the local council or planning officer.

How Much Is A Conservatory?

If you’re looking to install a conservatory in your home or property, one of the first things you’d have to consider is the cost of getting it done so you can set a budget and start planning. In this article, we’ll give you an idea of how much a conservatory price is, so you can have a rough estimate for your unique conservatory requirements.

Generally, the average cost of conservatory can be within the range of £5000 to £20000 and of course this depends on both the design and home. There are a number of influencing factors that can play a key role when it comes to determining how much you’ll be paying for your conservatory. Some of these factors include the size, style, material, colour as well as the roof type. All of these factors can greatly determine the overall price of your conservatory, so you’d most likely have to approach the acquisition process as a multi-staged concept so as to get the perfect fit for your home in every level.

So with these factors in mind, a lean to conservatory style with a polycarbonate roof material will range between £8100 to £11900. A Victorian conservatory with a polycarbonate roof material will range between £9600 to £14200. While their Edwardian and Gable counterparts will also cost within a range of £9600 to £14200 for either style.

A lean to conservatory style with a glass roof material will range between £9000 to £13200. A Victorian conservatory with a polycarbonate roof material will range between £11000 to £16200. While their Edwardian and Gable counterparts will also cost within a range of £11000 to £16200 for either style.