Conservatories - not just for plants
Ivy Ngeow RIBA
May 2003
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The word 'conservatory' comes from the Latin 'conservare' or to keep. They were originally rooms in which young plants were nurtured, due to the fact that they were intermediary spaces between inside and out, and therefore warmer than outside but has plenty of light. The homeowner tends to fantasise about putting up a conservatory when the winter is over and thoughts of the last Christmas dinner are already a distant memory. One can actually see out into the garden now. At this time of year when the weather is still not very warm, the dream has always been to be 'in' the garden without being 'inside' it.

It is always better to plan ahead if you are considering putting in a conservatory. You may or may not need planning permission. If the volume of the original terrace house is increased by more than 10% or 50 m³ (whichever is greater) and in any other kind of house, more than 15% or 70 m³, than you would need to apply for planning permission. If the conservatory is built onto your existing wall and separated by a door, you may not need permission. If you prefer the knock-through effect of having the conservatory as part of the existing house without a wall in the way, then it would constitute an extension and you would be required to apply for planning permission. If you've already extended, you would have eaten into your volume limit. It is best to check with your local authority or your architect as the rules are complicated. If you live in a Conservation Area (no pun intended), even more rules apply.

Conservatories may be constructed from UPVC, timber or aluminium. Timber and aluminium are expensive options. Timber looks good with a traditional house as all sorts of period mouldings are possible to be in keeping with the character of your home. Timber is high on maintenance, because the paintwork or varnish will have to be renewed after a decade or so. Aluminium will have a modern appearance but can be used in a period property all the same to provide an interesting contrast. UPVC is the cheapest option. These are easily purchased in any of the DIY stores. Both aluminium and UPVC are low on maintenance, although white UPVC can stain in time and appear like well-weathered plastic white garden furniture.

The choice of your ideal conservatory is limited by your budget. UPVC being the cheapest would cost around £2500 for a 15 m² conservatory, or even less if you shop around. A timber one would cost approximately £25000 and the aluminium one could be slightly less. These prices do not include building costs so it would depend on the level of design complexity. If you decide on putting up the conservatory yourself, keen DIYers have to note that foundations have to be laid properly to take the loading. The floor will have to be insulated, damp-proof and level. There is the current trend of underfloor heating as well. The flooring can be ceramic-tiled, vinyl sheet or timber laminate. Any flooring is suitable except for carpet. It is not really hygienic to have carpet in the conservatory as it is almost an outdoor space. You can buy a UPVC conservatory from a DIY store and get your builder to fit it. The alternatives are to buy from a conservatory supplier who can supply and fit or just supply. These would be the more expensive option. The glazing would usually, though not always, be double-glazed. It is better to have double-glazing so that you can use your conservatory all year long. Laminated glass is better for soundproofing and safety because it breaks in one piece.

Next to the price, comfort is the most important factor. Central heating, underfloor heating and double-glazing will keep the conservatory comfortable during winter (but not for plants ironically). It is important to have manual or automatic roof ventilation for climate control during the summer. If the conservatory is south-facing, blinds and light-reflecting glass will prevent you from scorching. In some cases, people have installed ceiling fans, which look pretty in the colonial way when they hover over terracotta tiles, parlour palms and cane furniture. In the height of summer, ceiling fans enable you to sip your gin and tonics in comfort.

In that sense, conservatories can set the mood. They are essentially quite light structures from which you may admire your estate. As such, lighting is often overlooked but important for your Somerset Maugham evening soirees. Wiring troughs would have to be cut into the structure before installation. As the ceiling is literally glass, recessed lights would be out of the question. There are many options for lighting such as track lighting, or halogen. A small glass chandelier, or a Moroccan lantern, looks fabulous on its own. A pendant light, especially used with the aforementioned ceiling fan, can add a tropical relaxed feel. Some kind of garden lighting also helps enhance the conservatory, ultimately bringing the outdoors in.