Bring the outside in
We Britons love our gardens – trouble is, we can’t always rely on the weather. Fortunately, there is a solution: simply put a roof on it.
In fact, extending your home into the garden with a conservatory not only allows you to enjoy the summer when the rain falls, it also enables you to make the most of your garden – and the restorative effects of plentiful natural light – all year round.
An eco-friendly conservatory with heat-mirror glass. From £60,000, by Trombe
Conservatories are a big market and there’s certainly no shortage of companies offering to build them – some at suspiciously cheap rates. Before going shopping for yours, it is essential that you think carefully about what you want from it.
From left: an orangery has been added to this listed town house. From £40,000, by Westbury Garden Rooms; glass and aluminium lean-to extension with patio doors and self-cleaning glass. From £40,000, by Apropos
Temperature is one of the most important considerations. Choose the wrong glass and your conservatory will be baking hot in summer and icy cold in winter. There are, of course, plenty of solutions, including glass panes filled with argon, or film-coated glasses, which let in plenty of sunlight, while reflecting much of the unwanted heat.
Clockwise from top left: bespoke orangery, POA, a Victoria Hancock design for Marston & Langinger; aluminium-framed conservatory with bi-fold doors. From £2,000 to £2,500 per square metre, by Alitex; the roof lantern of this orangery brings in more light at the rear of this Victorian house. From £35,000, by Malbrook
A cursory understanding of the latest technology will pay big dividends when it comes to enjoying the finished product.
You should also have a clear budget in mind. Conservatories might look simple, but the very best can cost thousands of pounds. Get plenty of estimates and ensure you’re only paying for what you want.
Clockwise from top left: steel and glass conservatory with large sliding doors. From £60,000, by Trombe; this orangery was designed to blend with the architecture of this Grade-II listed building, including details such as the Gothic arch window design. From £35,000, by Malbrook; the glazed gable enables light to flood in, complimenting the old Grade-II listed timber-framed house. From £40,000, by Westbury Garden Rooms
Planning permission is also a major consideration. According to the Government’s online Planning Portal (see below for contact details), ‘adding a conservatory is a permitted development, not needing an application for planning permission’, subject to certain limits and conditions.
These include the stipulation that an extension isn’t higher than the original property’s roof, that there are no verandas, balconies or raised platforms, and that any addition doesn’t cover more than half the area of land around the ‘original house’. You may also need consent if your home is a listed building.
A timber orangery extends this modern kitchen, with French doors leading to the garden. From £25,000, by Timber Windows
Either way, ensure you are clear about planning laws in your area before parting with any money.
For more information on planning permission: www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/conservatories
Alitex 01730-826900, www.alitex.co.uk
Apropos 0800-328 0033, www.apropos-conservatories.com
Malbrook 020-8780 5522, www.malbrook.co.uk
Marston & Langinger 020-7881 5700, www.marston-and-langinger.com
Timber Windows 0845-652 7314, www.timberwindows.com
Trombe 020-7688 6670, www.trombe.co.uk
Vale Garden Houses 01476-564433, www.valegardenhouses.co.uk
Westbury Garden Rooms 01245-326500, www.westburygardenrooms.com
In fact, extending your home into the garden with a conservatory not only allows you to enjoy the summer when the rain falls, it also enables you to make the most of your garden – and the restorative effects of plentiful natural light – all year round.
An eco-friendly conservatory with heat-mirror glass. From £60,000, by TrombeConservatories are a big market and there’s certainly no shortage of companies offering to build them – some at suspiciously cheap rates. Before going shopping for yours, it is essential that you think carefully about what you want from it.
From left: an orangery has been added to this listed town house. From £40,000, by Westbury Garden Rooms; glass and aluminium lean-to extension with patio doors and self-cleaning glass. From £40,000, by AproposTemperature is one of the most important considerations. Choose the wrong glass and your conservatory will be baking hot in summer and icy cold in winter. There are, of course, plenty of solutions, including glass panes filled with argon, or film-coated glasses, which let in plenty of sunlight, while reflecting much of the unwanted heat.
Clockwise from top left: bespoke orangery, POA, a Victoria Hancock design for Marston & Langinger; aluminium-framed conservatory with bi-fold doors. From £2,000 to £2,500 per square metre, by Alitex; the roof lantern of this orangery brings in more light at the rear of this Victorian house. From £35,000, by Malbrook A cursory understanding of the latest technology will pay big dividends when it comes to enjoying the finished product.
You should also have a clear budget in mind. Conservatories might look simple, but the very best can cost thousands of pounds. Get plenty of estimates and ensure you’re only paying for what you want.
Clockwise from top left: steel and glass conservatory with large sliding doors. From £60,000, by Trombe; this orangery was designed to blend with the architecture of this Grade-II listed building, including details such as the Gothic arch window design. From £35,000, by Malbrook; the glazed gable enables light to flood in, complimenting the old Grade-II listed timber-framed house. From £40,000, by Westbury Garden Rooms Planning permission is also a major consideration. According to the Government’s online Planning Portal (see below for contact details), ‘adding a conservatory is a permitted development, not needing an application for planning permission’, subject to certain limits and conditions.
These include the stipulation that an extension isn’t higher than the original property’s roof, that there are no verandas, balconies or raised platforms, and that any addition doesn’t cover more than half the area of land around the ‘original house’. You may also need consent if your home is a listed building.
A timber orangery extends this modern kitchen, with French doors leading to the garden. From £25,000, by Timber WindowsEither way, ensure you are clear about planning laws in your area before parting with any money.
For more information on planning permission: www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/conservatories
Alitex 01730-826900, www.alitex.co.uk
Apropos 0800-328 0033, www.apropos-conservatories.com
Malbrook 020-8780 5522, www.malbrook.co.uk
Marston & Langinger 020-7881 5700, www.marston-and-langinger.com
Timber Windows 0845-652 7314, www.timberwindows.com
Trombe 020-7688 6670, www.trombe.co.uk
Vale Garden Houses 01476-564433, www.valegardenhouses.co.uk
Westbury Garden Rooms 01245-326500, www.westburygardenrooms.com