For many people, particularly those less aware of the improvements made to bespoke conservatories over the years, there is an assumption that many of the limitations stereotypically associated with a conservatory are still unavoidable issues.
The biggest of these is temperature control; as most older conservatories are made primarily of glass and PVC, they suffer from rather infamous issues with being too cold in winter and sometimes too warm in summer to comfortably use.
Part of this is the use of older, less efficient window and door materials, but also the use of less effective designs. This means that when designing a conservatory, one simple step can help to save money and turn the conservatory from an occasional seasonal sojourn into a vital part of your home.
Many old conservatories are constructed from a mix of plastic and glass materials, which are both materials that suffer during significant temperature changes, and the solution is both simple and largely self-evident; change the roof.
By replacing the largely glazed roof of a conventional conservatory with an efficient tiled roof, either with or without a skylight installed, the room’s temperature will be far more consistent year-round, as heat is not lost in winter nor gained in summer through the glazing.
This is a far less involved and expensive approach compared to a more total conversion into an extension, does not have the same levels of planning requirements and can be completed in a matter of days compared to the several months to build an extension.
The main consideration in mind is to retain the character of the rest of the home, and with that in mind, it is worth, as with any other major development work, to consult your local planning authority, just in case the work no longer fits into your permitted development rights.