Conservatories For All

The lean-to conservatories ares recognised under several different names, with sun lounges, Mediterranean style, garden room and sunroom conservatories all coming under the banner of the ever popular lean to conservatory.  There are various reasons why they are so in demand in the market place.  When it comes to conservatory prices, these structures can be very competitive, but practicality and versatility also come into play when homeowners favour the erection of lean to conservatories on their property.

Lean To Conservatory

In these present, economically challenging times, properties are not selling readily on the market for the prices that homeowners are expecting.  More and more of these owners have decided to take their house off the market and to renovate and refurbish it instead.  One of the main cost effective ways of extending a home is to consider erecting a conservatory, as per square foot they offer much better value than traditional bricks and mortar construction.

Lean to conservatories comprise no-nonsense constructions that have a regular rectangular shape and an appearance that is utilitarian and not fussy.  If you want a structure that is heavy with ornate trimmings, then you might be better to consider a Victorian conservatory.  That is not to say that you cannot add some decorative touches to a standard lean-to type of sunroom, in order to give it a more completed look.

Its rectangular floor is similar to that of an Edwardian conservatory and allows excellent use of floor space in these lean to structures and the fact that they are constructed with a single pitch conservatory roof means that they are not complicated to assemble and erect.  The simplicity in roof design means that a lean to sunroom can go in places that height restrictions would prohibit the erection of other types of conservatories.

A lean to conservatory is highly adaptable and can be used for many different functions within the home – including as an extra living area, a dining room, office, study or play area for children.  If you are considering constructing a DIY conservatory in order to save money, than a lean to type sunroom is one of the easiest structures to tackle.

Spacious Lean To Conservatories

Conservatories were once structures that were only used when the weather conditions were temperate and favourable, but improvements in production technology in recent years has meant much better temperature control is available in these buildings now with both extremes of hot and cold weather being able to be counteracted by the use of such products as uPVC and double glazing.  Quality uPVC conservatories and timber conservatories are used on a continuous year-round basis and as more mainstream accommodation for the home.

Lean to sunrooms were always one of the most popular conservatories and given recent sale trends of this particular style of extension, that popularity is showing little sign of changing.  Many keen gardeners construct a lean to greenhouse as an economical way to build a home for their plants.  If you want to look up lean to conservatories with regard to the country you are living in , you can narrow your search by searching under ‘lean to conservatories uk’, if you are living in the United Kingdom for example.

If you are considering building a conservatory onto your home, then there are a variety of factors that you want to take into account.  When you are finished you want to have a quality conservatory that will bring a new dimension to your existing residence.  In order to do this homeowners have to plan ahead and make decisions with regard to the style and shape of the conservatories they want, the size they require and the materials that they want it to be made of.

Above all you need to choose a supplier and installer that is trustworthy and reliable.  The glazing that you select for your sunroom is also important and  you should get a double glazing quote for the structure that you propose to build.

In this article we will discuss these aspects of building conservatories and help you through the decision process.

One of the most important items that you have to consider when you are intending building a conservatory is whether or not you need planning permission.  As a rough guide you can look around at your neighbours and if some of them have a conservatory built onto their property, then the chances are that you will have no difficulties with the planning department.

Do not take anything for granted and it is also advisable that you do not leave this aspect of the project to your supplier / installer.  If you are in doubt about the necessity of getting planning, contact your local council and ask.

There are many different styles of conservatories, and Victorian Conservatories and lean to conservatories are just two types, albeit two of the most popular types on the market.  Each conservatory style has advantages that may suit your residence or way of living.  An Edwardian conservatory for example, makes better use of floor space than a Victorian conservatory.  You can consider the shape of the conservatory you desire under this heading also.

Conservatories come in many different sizes.  They can be added on to the rear of your residence, or may be wrapped around a corner to the side and rear of the home.  The size is whatever you want it to be, but obviously planning permission again raises its head.  The bigger the project you are contemplating the more likely it is that you will require planning.

You can construct a conservatory from many different materials.  Traditional types of conservatories were constructed from metal and timber and these products are still in use today, with a hardwood conservatory being a quality option, but in more recent times uPVC conservatories are more popular, due to their durability, thermal capacity and the fact that uPVC conservatories are relatively inexpensive to construct.

The materials that your conservatory and particularly your conservatory roof, is constructed from will be terribly important, as you will be hoping to be able to use the conservatory in the colder winter months and for this reason it will need to be properly insulated.

One of the most important factors that you have to get right is the choice of supplier and installer that you are going to select.  Ask any neighbours and friends that have and a conservatory added to there property if they would recommend their installer.  Create a short list of suppliers and installers that you have heard good reports about.

Go online and know your facts before you start dealing with conservatory salespeople. And do not rush into deciding who will get your business.  If you have building experience , or are a seasoned home improvement enthusiast, you may consider a DIY conservatory, however you really do need to have some idea of what you are about.

All of the above points are very relevant when you are considering building a conservatory.  There are plenty of self build conservatories out there if you are into home improvement and feel you have the ability to construct your own.  There are also many quality conservatories to be purchased – you just have to find the one that is suitable for your needs.

Edwardian Conservatories. Image courtesy of www.suffolkconservatories.co.uk

Old Victorian Conservatories. Image courtesy of www.oakconservatories.co.uk

Victorian Style Conservatories - Interior. Image courtesy of www.pshomeimprovements.co.uk

Edwardian Conservatories. Image courtesy of www.conservatorydesign.co.uk

There are many different types of conservatories on the market today.  For a description of Victorian conservatories , Edwardian conservatories and other popular styles of conservatories, have a look at ‘Selecting A Conservatory Style‘.

There are many ways to approach the selecting and building of a conservatory for your home.  Below are listed 12 of our favourite tips that you could consider before and while you are building a conservatory.  Choosing to build a conservatories, whether it be a Victorian conservatories or a lantern roof conservatories, is a major decision because undoubtedly it is your hope to have many years of enjoyment from your investment.

Tip 1: When you are listening to the supplier telling you what the size of your conservatory will be, be sure to check whether he is talking about internal or external measurements.  I know that suppliers love to talk in terms of external measurements, and why wouldn’t they?  But it is the floor area that you are interested in, and there is quite a difference between the two.

Tip 2: In your enthusiasm for the project, do not forget that you may have planning issues with regard to building your conservatory.  Not necessarily, but maybe.  For your own sake find out whether or not you need planning permission before commencing to erect your Edwardian, double hipped, B-shaped conservatory!  Do not take the word of your installer on this.

Attractive T-shaped Conservatories. Image courtesy of www.taylormadeconservatories.com

A look around at what your neighbours have erected in terms of extensions and conservatories will give you an idea of what is acceptable in your area.  However the best way to find out about this issue is to ask.  Call in to your local planning authority or write to them, letting them know what you are planning and ask them if you need planning permission for a conservatory.  If you get a positive answer, ask for it to be put in writing and keep a copy of the reply – this avoids any problems later.

Tip 3: This is relevant when you are building anything, a residence, an extension, or in this case, a conservatory.  Mark out on the ground with pegs and a string, or a shake of lime, the internal walls of the conservatory.  This will give you a good on the ground idea of what you are going to have and the amount of space there will be for furniture, etc.

Tip 4: A tricky one this.  It is easy to make such wise statements as– ‘Do not necessarily go for the cheapest option’ and ‘One gets what one pays for’.  It is highly tempting for anyone to go for the cheapest quote or to go for the least expensive sunroom on offer in a conservatories sale, and they probably should not, unless they have a bit of knowledge in building matters, or unless they spotted the builder taking off his balaclava before he came to their front door. Just kidding!

There is no doubt that the cheapest quote you receive may contain some (or quite a few) hidden tripwires. If you are unsure about the differences between various quotes, you could consider getting someone, perhaps now retired, that you know who has some experience in building matters to look over the quotes for you for a small fee.

Know what you absolutely want in your conservatory, make a list of those items and make these the non-negotiable issues.  When you want the conservatory finished by, may well be one of these issues – ‘I know I said I would be finished for the summer – but I didn’t say which summer’ is not something you want to hear from your installer.

Tip 5: This is a bit technical, but we are told it is a very good point.  Insert a ‘cavity tray’ into the wall above the level of where your conservatory roof is going to be.  This will prevent rain driven moisture from getting down the inside of your cavity walls and then re-appearing in your conservatory.

Tip 6: When you are planning a conservatory try to place doors so that your conservatory does not take on the appearance of a hallway. We have seen what should be beautiful living areas ruined, because the all of the furniture is shoved back against the sides so as to allow traffic pass through. Above all, your conservatory is a room.  If you are building a beautiful pavilion conservatory simply to have four doors to different places, then just building a corridor might be a cheaper option.

If you would like to continue reading our tips, please follow on to ‘A Dozen Conservatory Tips – Part 2‘.

Selecting a conservatory for your home should be all about you.  There is a variety of different types and styles of conservatories on the market, and by the time you add in the various construction materials that can be used, the myriad of colours that can be incorporated into the conservatory blinds, fabrics and furniture and all of the other variables involved, the conservatory you end up with on your property can be as individual as you would like it to be.

So what type of conservatory do you think that you would like.  What type of home do you live in? – is it a period or period-style property? What is your homes’ topographical aspect?  If you want your conservatory to be on the sunny facing side of the residence, then depending on whether that is the front, rear or side of the house, this may dictate a certain style of conservatory to you.   Is your home single story or a bungalow type dwelling? – there are conservatories to suit all types and it will often come down to a personal preference.  Whether you decide to build a bespoke conservatory or to purchase a sunroom at a knock down price in a conservatories sale these are all questions you will want to answer.

Below we have compiled a list of the most common types of conservatories as a launching pad for you to start considering which type of conservatory may suit you.

The Pleasure Of Eating In Conservatories - image courtesy of www.tanglewoodconseratories.com

Victorian Conservatories
These are probably one of the most popular and most versatile types of conservatories. It normally has three, or maybe, but less common, five facets (sides) at the front, a bit like a curved bay window and it has a steeply pitched roof and ornate ridge details.

One advantage of a Victorian conservatory (see image) is that the front facets give it a rounded, softer appearance and it can work equally well in a large garden or in a smaller garden or patio where space may be an issue. This attribute is what makes it one of the most frequently seen conservatories. It can also work well in a corner position of a residence, again because the rounded front helps diffuse sharp angles.

Edwardian Conservatories
Edwardian conservatories, (a.k.a. Regency and Georgian conservatories), are similar in style and ornate design to Victorian conservatories, except that they are rectangular in shape, which gives them a strong clean shape, as was preferred in the Edwardian era. The rectangular shape gives Edwardian conservatories (see image) an advantage over Victorian conservatories, with regard to better use of floor space. Confusion can arise when one removes the corner of an Edwardian conservatory to give it a Victorian look.

Victorian & Edwardian Double Hipped Conservatories are similar in style and have the same features and advantages as normal Victorian or Edwardian conservatories. The difference is to be found in the roof design of a double hippd conservatory, where in addition to being sloped at the sides, it  is also sloped at the rear.  This allows it to be incorporated into a building where a standard conservatory would have height restrictions.

Lean-to Conservatories
A Lean-to conservatory is a very uninspiring name and one  that for me evokes visions of a cattle shed rather than a conservatory style, but thankfully when your friends do ask, you can describe it as a Mediterranean style or a garden room conservatory instead.  Sunroom conservatories and sun lounges also come under the  heading lean to conservatory.

The style  of the lean to conservatory is timeless and unfussy, rectangular or square in shape and with a single roof pitch. It has been a popular style since conservatories started being used and is very used still to the present day. Decorative detail can be added to give a more substantial appearance. The lean to conservatory, due to its simple nature, is very flexible and has a modern feel. It can be used in most any situation and makes very good use of ground space.  One additional feature of this type of conservatory is that it is cost effective to build.

For more conservatory styles and types, have a look at our follow on article, ‘Selecting A Conservatory – Part 2‘.