A conservatory is a great addition to any home, it can add some much-needed space whilst filling your home in glorious natural sunlight. Although, committing to a conservatory installation can feel like a huge deal and it’s only understandable you’d have plenty of questions, which is why we’ve compiled this list of our most frequently asked questions about conservatories.
Do I need planning permission to have a conservatory installed?
In many cases, you won’t be required to apply for planning permission however, if you’re hoping to build an extension in a conservation or protected area there will likely be further restrictions in place and you can discuss these with both us and your local council for more guidance. If you’re living in a standard residential area you won’t be required to apply for planning permission as long as your conservatory abides by these restrictions:
- Detached properties can be extended by up to 8m to the rear of the property if it is a single-storey extension. For any other types of property, they can extend by a maximum of 6m.
- Single-storey extensions can’t be higher than 4m on the ridge and the eaves, and these cannot be higher than the existing property.
- Side extensions cannot be higher than 4m and no wider than half of the original building.
- An extension cannot cover more than half of your garden.
These restrictions were set to expire in May 2019 but the UK government decided to make them permanent.
Read more: What do I need when building an extension?
What style can I choose for my new conservatory
Here at Reddish Joinery, we offer a range of conservatory styles to suit your home. Every conservatory we offer is made bespoke in line with your personal preferences and dream design. With this being said we offer five styles of conservatory for you to choose from.
Victorian conservatories
The Victorian-style conservatory is one of the most popular choices among British homeowners. They feature a ridged roof and a multi-faceted end wall which creates a rounded effect.
Edwardian conservatories
An Edwardian conservatory is the perfect choice for homeowners who love the style of a Victorian conservatory but require more space. They also feature a ridged roof but sit on a rectangular base instead.
Lean-to conservatories
Lean-to conservatories feature a single-sloped roof with the longer wall adjoined to your house. A lean-to conservatory is a great choice as it’s suitable for almost all property styles and sizes.
P-shaped conservatories
A P-shaped conservatory is a combination of a lean-to and either a Victorian or Edwardian conservatory, creating that classicly recognisable ‘P’ shape.
Gable conservatories
A gable conservatory is instantly recognisable by its rectangular roof plan and triangular front. A gable roof is great for creating the illusion of more space thanks to the large front windows that extend to meet the roof.
Read more: What shapes and sizes are orangeries & conservatories available in?
What is the best material for a conservatory?
Here at Reddish Joinery, we offer timber and uPVC conservatories both of which are excellent choices for conservatories in the UK. Whichever you choose you’re guaranteed to receive exceptional energy efficiency, security, and aesthetics.
We’ve created this helpful table to help you make your decision:
Accoya (timber) |
uPVC |
Able to last for 80+ years & come with a 50-year warranty |
Lasts between 25-30 years |
Requires much less maintenance than traditional timber |
Virtually maintenance-free |
Double glazed |
Double glazed |
Naturally thermally insulating |
Feature ultra-efficient low-e glass |
Classic and contemporary colours available |
Huge selection of colours including timber effect |
Colour matching available |
Colour matching available |
Rot, warp & UV resistant design |
Durable weather protection |
Incredibly sustainable |
Environmentally responsible |
Read more: The top benefits of uPVC and timber orangeries
Will my conservatory be customisable?
Of course! Every conservatory we install is bespoke to the customer’s needs, wants and preferences. The size and shape of your conservatory are completely down to you and our team is happy to discuss your options with you after your first consultation. As we’ve been an installer for over 50 years we’re able to advise you on the most suitable conservatory based on your needs and the purpose of the room.
You’ll also be able to decide on a bespoke colour for your conservatory, we’re able to colour match your conservatory to your existing window and door colours. We also offer a great selection of colours in our own range, offering opaque stains for our timber conservatories.
How much will my conservatory cost?
It’s no secret that a conservatory is a sizable investment, after all you’re extending your home but did you know that by adding a conservatory to your home you could increase its value by up to 15%, making it a great return on investment. We don’t advertise the price of our conservatories as each of our conservatories is bespoke to the customer. There are a number of factors that will affect the final cost of your conservatory.
- The style of conservatory you have chosen
- The desired size of your conservatory
- The material of your conservatory
- The type of conservatory roof you have chosen
- What type of windows and doors are fitted
Read more: What does a conservatory or orangery cost?
Can I replace my existing conservatory’s roof?
If you’ve noticed your existing conservatory is overheating in the summer and becoming too cold to use in the winter you might be wondering what you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your conservatory and make it comfortable to use all year round. You’re able to replace your existing conservatory roof with a modern alternative that is certain to improve both the thermal performance and security of your conservatory. Here at Reddish Joinery, we will always send an expert member of our team out to assess the structural integrity of your conservatory before beginning any work.
We offer three different replacement conservatory roof options, each with their own benefits and aesthetics.
Supalite conservatory roof
- Will modernise your existing conservatory without the need to replace the entire thing
- Humidity proof insulation makes it a great roof replacement for kitchen extensions
- Manufactured using extremely strong aluminium
- Decide between slate and tiles
- Integrated windows can be added within the roof design
- Add inbuilt LED lighting or a vaulted ceiling
- Bespoke to you and your conservatory
Livinroof replacement
- Customise the amount of glass & solid roof panels used
- Customisable roof pitch from as low as 5 degrees to as high as 40.9 degrees
- Internal pelmets are available so lighting can be installed
- Available in a contemporary shade of grey
- Temperature control glass as standard
- Fully fire tested and manufactured to meet Building Regulations
Roof lanterns
- Allows natural light to flood in with a fully glazed design
- Creates the illusion of additional space & higher ceilings
- A choice of glazing including self-cleaning, solar control and tinted glass
- Decide between timber and aluminium roof lanterns
- Internal pelmets are available so lighting can be installed
Read more: Supalite vs Lantern Roofs: which replacement conservatory roof is best?
What is an orangery?
An orangery is another type of glazed extension that has grown increasingly popular with British homeowners, they’re often confused with conservatories as they’re both single-storey glazed extensions. An orangery features more brickwork and are often considered a more traditional extension, because of the reduced amount of glazing and solid or atrium style roof. Orangeries are considered a more premium option as they often have a higher price point but of course, this is dependent on the design choices you make.
Read more: Conservatories vs Orangeries: which is better for extending my home?