Conservatories vs Extensions – What You Need to Know

Conservatory or Extension?

With most of us spending more time at home than ever before, there’s never been a better time to start thinking about or planning your home improvements! If you’re looking to add more living space to your home, you may be weighing up the pros and cons of conservatories vs extensions, but do you know which option would best suit your needs? Crownhill Conservatories can help!

In our latest blog, we detail the differences between the extensions and conservatories and compare the two to help you find the best solution for your home. Read on to learn more!

Decide on the Purpose of the Structure

The first thing you should consider when choosing between a conservatory or an extension is what you would be using it for. Both constructions work in different ways, making them better suited for various uses than the other. This is because of the way they are constructed and the materials that are used.

If you want a space where you can relax, an office or an extra living space, a conservatory will work well for you. However, a conservatory structure would not be suitable for a bedroom. On the other hand, an extension is perfect for a bedroom as it’s a more solid structure like the other bedrooms in the household would be. Creating an extra bedroom space also adds value to your house when it comes to selling your property. With an extension, you can build multiple storeys, something that you just cannot do with a conservatory due to the glass roof.

Design & Style

The next step is to think about the style of build you’d like. Extensions are generally built to seamlessly blend with the property, whereas conservatories give a little more impact, as whilst the style is sympathetic to the style of your home, they’re designed to stand out. Conservatories come in a whole host of different styles, including Edwardian, Victorian, Double Hipped and Lean-To, as well as bespoke designs, that can incorporate elements from a number of different designs. Whether you’ve got a modern property or a period home, there’s a conservatory style to suit your needs!

Location, Location, Location

Another factor to consider is the location of the new space. Conservatories are built as an extra space in your back garden to bring the feeling of the outdoors inside. If the plot of your house allows, you can build an extension on almost every side of your property. Conservatories are designed to keep in heat and make the room warm.

Consider the materials and design you go with you to ensure that in the summer months the room doesn’t become too uncomfortably hot, or too cold in the winter and autumn. As extensions are created with insulated walls and roofs, they are less susceptible to seasonal changes and changes in temperature.

Planning Permission

One of the biggest factors to consider in weighing up conservatories vs extensions is planning permission. You do not need to apply for planning permission for conservatories, providing the building comes under the currently permitted development rights. You can go ahead and build your conservatory without planning permission if:

• Your property is not a listed building or in a conservation area
• In a detached house, the conservatory does not extend more than four metres
• In a non-detached house, the conservatory does not extend more than three metres
• It doesn’t cover more than half of the land area of the original house
• The conservatory does not exceed four metres in height and isn’t higher than the roof of your home
• It doesn’t front onto or obstruct a public road

Building Regulations

Building regulations are also an important factor to consider. The building regulations cover the construction process of the build and include stipulations such as:

• The conservatory is at ground level.
• The conservatory covers less than 30²
• Has its own independent heating system.
• At least 75% of the building is made with translucent roofing.
• At least 50% glazing to walls.

For extensions, not every project needs permission. Some can be completed without planning permission, ensuring that the build complies with the permitted development (PD) rights. The PD rights for extensions are more complex than for conservatories. This is due to the fact that they are more versatile (can make multiple stories), created with different materials and have a different kind of structure than a conservatory. For the full list of the PD rights for extensions and more info on planning permission, please check out the Self Build website.

What Next?

Now you’ve read up on some of the key differences of conservatories vs extensions, the next step is to think about getting quotes and designs. If you’d like to get a quote to design your dream conservatory, please get in touch with us! You can call us on 01752 786015 or fill in our contact form with details of your enquiry. Don’t forget, you can also connect with us on Facebook to keep up to date with the latest news and see images of our recent projects!