If you want to have an indoor space that harmonises with your beautiful garden, there is no better option than a traditional conservatory, and it is typically the first choice for many people when it comes to an extension option.
However, there are some people who have bought a house with an extension they are dissatisfied with or one that was built before the revitalisation of design sensibilities inspired by the Golden Age of the Conservatory in the 19th century, led by designs such as the great Conservatory of Syon House.
Whilst there are a lot of options for revitalising or renovating a tired, worn-out or damaged conservatory, sometimes it is best to take a clean slate approach, demolish it entirely and start over. Here are some of the reasons why you should.
It Is Too Small
A lot of 20th-century conservatories were designed to be fairly small sunrooms, but the problem with that approach is that whilst a small sun lounge can be a useful extension for some people, it is not necessarily a flexible living space in the way that a modern conservatory tries to be.
There are a lot of cases of people trying to turn older conservatories into dining rooms and entertainment spaces only to find that they are not large enough to be comfortably used for any purpose other than the limited one they were constructed for.
Whilst some people will try to make do or make adjustments to maximise the space they have available, sometimes the best approach is to knock down the old one and start again with the help of experts.
It Is Unusable
Some people with older conservatories are often frustrated with how they handle temperatures due to the older materials and designs that were used to build them.
Most conservatories are wonderful spaces that can be used all year round, but older conservatories with uPVC frames, single-glazed roof windows and no insulation are the reason why some people have issues with very old conservatories in the summer and the winter.
Part of the reason for this is that to count as a conservatory, the structure needs to have an exterior door connecting the house and the conservatory itself. Often, this leads to a conservatory having a different thermal profile from the rest of the house.
Even older conservatories can be fixed in this regard by fitting insulation, thick curtains and replacing the roof glass with either modern double/triple glazing or a solid roof, but there is a tipping point where the costs of repair and refurbishment exceed the cost of replacement.
If you want to take this approach, it is always worth seeking the advice of experts in conservatory design so you can see what is possible with your existing building and what would be possible if it were to be removed.
An Aesthetic Refresh
At one point, white uPVC conservatories were hugely popular because they were designed as a collection of interconnected window frames. However, the problem is that whilst a window frame does not have a huge aesthetic impact on a house, a building primarily made with white uPVC does not age very well.
A replacement, even still using more modern uPVC materials can make a dramatic difference, but most luxury conservatories made today use a mix of materials, including hardwoods, metals and brickwork, whilst being designed around the aesthetics of the existing home.
They Cost Too Much To Use
Older forms of double glazing and uPVC tend to lose their ability to retain heat over time, which means that keeping an old conservatory with its original glass and seals can cause heating bills to increase exponentially, as well as cause issues with condensation, mould and damp.
It gets to the point that a lot more money would be saved by replacing the conservatory compared to keeping a space you are unhappy with.
It Is Costing You Sale Value
Conservatories can increase the value of your home, if it is of a high quality, is large enough to provide a wide variety of uses and has appealing interior design.
Typically, a well-made conservatory that appeals to buyers can add seven per cent to a house’s value, which would for the average house price increase the value of the home by over £25,000.
If you are considering a conservatory refresh regardless and you are contemplating selling in the next few years, the economic case would be made that it would save you money compared to losing tens of thousands of pounds due to a worn-out old conservatory.