In a country known for a “make do and mend attitude”, most people want to make the most of what we have and what is already available to them, but there are cases where that can do more harm than good.
For example, houses which already have an older conservatory may struggle to replace it with more permanent extensions or traditional conservatories depending on the nature of the foundations and the quality of its initial construction.
In quite a few cases of a like-for-like transition, an old conservatory can be simply modified or dismantled, but in other cases, the conservatory may need to be demolished entirely with whole new foundations laid.
As with any conservatories and building on a property, it is best to seek advice from experts and your local planning authority before doing any serious work.
With that said, here are some common reasons why you should demolish your old conservatory and start from scratch.
If Your Current Conservatory Is Unbearable
In the last decade, conservatories have taken a quantum leap forward in almost every aspect of their construction which has made them much more comfortable and enjoyable structures throughout the entire year.
Before that, however, conservatories had a reputation due to their use of thin glass and older formulations of PVC in their construction for having somewhat undesirable thermal qualities.
In a lot of cases, this meant that the same conservatory that was bitterly cold in winter was also unbearably hot in the summer, overall making them quite unpleasant places to be.
There are a few options available besides demolition, such as replacing the glass roof frame with a solid roof, replacing the glass with UV-protected double glazing or fitting roof blinds, it is often a significant enough expense to make it worth considering starting from scratch.
If You Notice An Overpowering Smell
A surprising number of older conservatories made in the 1980s and 1990s had a few fundamental flaws in their design, and one of these was problems with waterproofing and water seals, especially as the structure started to age.
When the frames leak, they trap water, which can cause damp and damp can create a fertile ground for mould and rather unpleasant smells
Whilst this can be fixed, if you are considering more substantial modifications anyway it may be worth starting again with a blank slate and the benefit of decades of technological and architectural advancement.
If You Have Grander Plans
The first generation of conservatories were often designed with a relatively simple and straightforward purpose. They were used as small sun lounges and play areas, typically accessed via the back door or sliding doors that were previously used to access the garden.
Modern conservatories tend to be not only bigger but also utilise the space they have more effectively, leading to indoor-outdoor dining areas, entertainment hubs, garden rooms and even more applications besides.
However, some of these ideas need more space than the current floor plan of an old conservatory can allow, and if this is the case after discussing it with the experts, it may be time to seriously consider demolishing and starting again.