A conservatory is a fantastic way to add both space and value to your home, without building a full extension. Available in a range of sizes and styles, conservatories offer an attractive opportunity for homeowners to create a beautiful living space that is flooded with natural light at any time of year.
While the process of planning, designing, and installing a conservatory is incredibly quick, it’s important not to leap feet first into the project without careful consideration of some key points:
Do I Need Planning Permission or Building Regulations Approval?
Planning permission and building regulations approval are different. Whether you need to seek approval from your local authority depends on the type, size, and location of your planned conservatory.
In general, conservatories fall within permitted development (PD) rights, meaning homeowners can construct them without local authority permission. However, these apply only if certain conditions are met, so seek advice from your council if you are unsure.
Building regulations approval is not normally required but specific elements of the design may necessitate it, for example, if there are to be no doors between the property and the conservatory or if a solid roof is being installed.
Why Is It Important To Use a Reputable Installer?
Not only will using a trustworthy installer help to save you money in the long-term, by reducing the maintenance that you’ll need to carry out on your conservatory, but it will also ensure your conservatory is usable.
By choosing a reputable company, your conservatory will be fitted to a higher standard, offering:
- Superior temperature retention, so your conservatory is a usable room throughout the year.
- Effective noise insulation, so you aren’t plagued by noise from neighbouring properties, road traffic, or businesses.
- Robust strength, so you won’t need to carry out expensive repairs to keep the structure standing.
Remember to find out what guarantees will be offered on the brickwork as well as the glass and frame.
Can My Conservatory Have a Solid Roof?
A conservatory solid roof is an attractive alternative to a traditional polycarbonate or glass roof that can make the conservatory a more usable space at any time of year.
Effective low U-values (as little as 0.15) help to retain heat in winter and prevent overheating in summer, while a multi-layered roof design will eliminate condensation to keep the ambient atmosphere free from moisture.
A solid roof also offers an eye-catching design, with all the benefits of a conventional extension, at a fraction of the cost.
How To Style a Conservatory?
Conservatories can be used for many purposes – as an additional sitting area, a study, a playroom, or a music room. With large windows overlooking the garden, a conservatory is a perfect place to unwind and enjoy a moment of quiet solitude.
It’s worth deciding how the conservatory will be used, and which furniture you will put in it, when it is being designed. This will ensure that the room has a purpose, instead of becoming another dumping ground for all the stuff you can’t fit elsewhere in the home.
- Map out the internal dimensions of the conservatory before you order it to ensure that the furniture will fit.
- Consider how furniture and accessories will help to create a relaxing sanctuary: comfy seating, rocking chairs, and soft furnishings are ideal.
- Plan to include some suitable houseplants in your conservatory, to help improve your mood and encourage relaxation.
Contact Harveys Windows For Professional Conservatory Advice
At Harveys Windows, we can help you with every aspect of your conservatory planning, so you can be confident that your investment will offer many years of enjoyment and relaxation.
To find out more about adding more space to your home with a conservatory, get in touch with us on 0116 497 5866 or arrange your visit to our Leicester showroom.