5 Myth Busting Tips To Consider When Designing & Building Your Own Conservatory

A few years ago a conservatory was classed a luxury that was enjoyed by a few. Nowadays it appears that almost every other home has one. With the cost of moving increasing and the present economic climate, the conservatory is becoming increasingly popular with families that wish to improve their lifestyle and their home.

There are a number of specialist companies that will supply a D.I.Y. package for a conservatory that can be erected and installed on a prepared base. Most suppliers will even supply the required drawings and installation instructions for the DIY enthusiast who wishes to add a conservatory to their property. One thing that I must add is that almost everyone I have spoke to have said that they use their conservatory far more than they though they would. It has been their best investment on their property and they wished it was bigger!

Before you start planning you dream conservatory let’s get rid of five myths that people seem to think about conservatories;-

Myth 1 – Any money and investment made in a conservatory for your home will be an investment that you will get back when you sell your home!
Whilst any home improvement generally adds value to your home, to say that you will recoup in full any investment spent on a conservatory is not necessarily true. What you are doing by adding a conservatory is to add value to your home. It is a feature that may be a decisive selling point when you come to sell your home but you may not add the initial outlay to the value of your property in the short term. However, if you are going to erect the conservatory yourself it will be a money saving and ego boosting addition to your home.

Myth 2 - Conservatories are a cheap way of extending your home!
A conservatory is not necessarily cheap especially when buying a complete package from a conservatory supplier who supplies the whole conservatory package. You can make large savings by doing some or all of the work yourself. Selecting your conservatory supplier is especially important if you are going it alone as they can supply the base, frame and roof drawings which will help you set out your conservatory.

Myth 3 - You do not have to bother with planning permission to build a conservatory!
This is always a grey area in terms of planning permission for your conservatory. My advice is that if you have any doubts then ASK! Your conservatory supplier should be able to advise you in more detail and supply the required drawings etc. It’s always worth asking if they supply drawings and installation details when obtaining a quote for your conservatory.

Myth 4 - You must build the conservatory on a south facing wall!
I have been in a locked conservatory that has been built on a south facing wall in the height of summer and it was almost impossible to breathe because of the heat. Admitted that in the winter months any amount of sunshine will heat the conservatory and obviously you will get more sun on a south facing wall. Generally speaking, you can enjoy the benefits of a conservatory facing any direction. If you are going to build it on a south facing wall add more opening windows and larger doors to allow the air to circulate better.

Myth 5 - They are too hot in summer and freezing in winter!
The temperature of your conservatory can be controlled quite easily and needs to be addressed at the design and planning stage, not when the conservatory is built. Consider the simple facts of the required ventilation and how you will heat your conservatory. Consider the position of the sun throughout the day and what time of day will you relax in your conservatory. It may be summer now but how will you heat it in mid winter. A simple electric heater will take the chill out of a conservatory in winter but it would be better to add a radiator in the long term. You must remember that your conservatory, although double glazed, is well below the thermal requirements of a traditional brick extension and the temperature will fluctuate more throughout the year. Again you can take advice on how to make your conservatory usable throughout the year.

Recommended Reading
Conservatories, A Complete Guide: Planning, Managing and Completing Your Conservatory (Hardcover)
by Julian Owen