Conservatories: 5 Things To Consider

We’re set for another good summer in the South East and blue skies are raising the question for many people – do I want a conservatory?

It’s definitely a tempting proposition. Cold beers and olives in a warm climate, overlooking the garden. A cosy place to enjoy winter afternoons. The added 7% to your property value it can bring. The opportunity to make the neighbours jealous. The list goes on.

But you have to be careful with glass houses. No stone-throwing certainly, and no mucking about either – you’ve got to ask some important questions when working out whether a conservatory is right for you, and what type you should go for.

• What’s the conservatory intended for? Drinking/dining/reading or relaxing?  Or all of the above? The core question is: Do you want the conservatory to expand your living space, or open up your garden?  The answer to this will help determine the size, what type of conservatory you should look at, and how the increased space should work.
• What is your budget? Conservatories can vary hugely in price – from £8,000 to £90,000. You can get a lot for your money but determining your budget early will help you set in stone exactly what role the conservatory is going to play in your life.
• How do you want it to look? Do you want the classic Victorian look? Or more of a sun-lounge with a Mediterranean twist? Have a look at different styles before you decide what’s right for you.
• Which direction will it face and how much sun will it get? You don’t want your conservatory to turn into a sweat-box in the summer and a fridge-freezer in the winter. Knowing the orientation of your conservatory can will help you to decide on glass choice and the number of openers you should have. Ideally, your supplier should help with this to ensure that once it is built you are happy with your investment.
• Will you need planning permission? This seems obvious but is often overlooked. In many cases, you won’t need planning permission but if you do, your supplier should be able to provide plenty of advice and make the application for you.

Don’t worry, though. You don’t have to sit at a desk, pen in hand, desperately trying to figure out a definitive answer to these questions on your own. It can, and should, be a collaborative process with your supplier. They should be able to guide you to a solution that fits you, long-term.