Considering a Conservatory? Read This First

Whether for entertaining, children’s playrooms, office space or simply a place to relax and unwind, we often find ourselves short on space within our home.

If you are yearning for a larger home, there are two options. Firstly, you can move, a costly and time-consuming choice (not to mention stressful!) or we can improve on our current abode.

Conservatories are incredibly versatile rooms and can be used for almost all needs. You can create an entirely new space in your home or extend a current room. They add value to your property, and you won’t need to obtain planning permission to start the project.

If you are considering improving your home, but don’t know where to start, you can use a conservatory calculator to gain an idea of cost. This handy tool lets you select the style of conservatory, size, and even roofing choice so you won’t be in for any shocks when you start looking for a contractor.

But what if you are unsure of the style of the conservatory? Below is an insight into the various styles available.

Lean-to Conservatory

A lean-to conservatory commonly has an angled, flat roof, sloping downwards so rain can easily run off.

It gives the room the appearance of ‘leaning’ onto the rest of the building, hence the name.

As these roofs are low, they are excellent for houses that are restricted by height, such as bungalows. They can also excellent for awkward spaces.

They have a modern aesthetic and can often resemble a Mediterranean feel. They have sleek lines and the structure is more subtle than many traditional designs.

A lean-to conservatory can be easily personalised your own taste. They come in almost every style, colour and finish.

Victorian Conservatory

Victorian conservatories are the most popular style and take its name from the architecture of the period.

A steep roof teamed with multi-faceted walls is both traditional and pleasing to the eye.

Typically, these rooms feature three facets with three main windows and a bayfront or five facets with five main windows.

Despite the historic name and inspiration, these conservatories can be adapted to suit both old and new properties.

These extensions are ornate and decorative making them highly valued. Their French doors add a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’. Due to their design, you are not limited to conventional shapes and sizes and can be constructed in a wide range of materials

Edwardian Conservatory

Taking influence from the reign of King Edward VII, the Edwardian conservatory combines traditional touches with clean, symmetrical lines.

These are large conservatories that can easily accommodate a new dining room, living room, playroom or any space you need, the possibilities are endless.

They suit all buildings, from listed properties to new builds as their flat walls can seamlessly slot in with all styles of homes.

The Edwardian conservatory makes maximum use of the space available, perfect for if you are not wanting to impede on your garden while still having a sizable new room.

Gable-Fronted Conservatory

If you want a statement, a gable-fronted conservatory is the right choice for you. These conservatories certainly have an element of grandeur and are often seen in historical sites previously owned by the gentry.

Influenced by Georgian design, these are ideal for period properties and they complement traditional features.

They are available in many colours, but these need to be considered extensively, gable-fronted conservatories make such an impact that they can be seen as gaudy if not properly matched to your home.

The roof has a pitched elevation with windows extending to the apex and gives the room its iconic look. However, you don’t have to go with such a traditional style, these can also be adapted to fit your needs, tastes, and budget.

P-Shaped Conservatory

If you have a particularly difficult space to fill, then a p-shaped conservatory may be the best for you.

These are a combination of the lean-to and Victorian and, due to the shape, it can give you two spaces instead of one.

You can have these spaces constructed to any size; they are not required to match. This gives you huge flexibility with your living space and can be given a classic look with woodgrain foil or can be modernised with PVC.

The roof combines elements of the lean-to and Edwardian to create a double hipped roof which can accommodate and single-story property.

Bi-fold or French doors can be fitted, and you can make a choice of a dwarf wall, half panel or fully glazed. They truly are completely customisable.