converting a 'conservatory' into a proper room

[BaryMerry]

Anyone ever done this? Our utility room is a conservatory-type room, it comes off the kitchen at the back of the house, is glazed (some of the double glazing is blown) with upvc panels on the lower half and a corrugated plastic roof. It's got no heating and in the winter gets very cold and damp and therefore mouldy. There are old kitchen cupboards in it which we'd like to take out and replace with something like Ikea baskets/open shelving etc - we also have a washer/dryer in there and the fridge freezer.

Would it be a huge job to make this room more of a 'room' and less of a conservatory - we can't really use it as this anyway - there's no room to sit and even if I didn't mind relaxing next to the Domestos and recycling bin I couldn't see out of the windows into the garden as they start halfway up IYSWIM! I can't help thinking it would be better to make it more like a proper utility room and less like a half-assed conservatory. What would we need to do and would it cost a lot? Thoughts and advice welcome from anyone who's done something similar

[doublechocchip]

Sorry nothing useful to add bit Bumping for you as I've got a room like this and would like to do something similar.

[Marmitelover55]

We had one of those. We knocked it down and started again!

[BaryMerry]

Ooer Marmite, would probably prefer not to do anything that drastic! Mainly because if we did I really would want to build a proper conservatory as well as a utility area, it would cost a fortune and DH would go barmy

[HelpfulChap]

I think planning permissionn is different for conservatories and proper extensions. Also if you were going to brick all the way up and put a proper roof on you would need to make sure the foundations are a suitable depth (not that difficult to check).

If the foundations are OK and you don't need PP you could possibly build up from the existing brickwork.

No idea of cost. I imagine anywhere between £5 and £10k but I really am guessing.

[Notsoaccidentproneanymore]

Replace the blown double glazing panels

Take out the cupboards

Put down underfloor heating

Seal up any drafts with silicone

Possibly insulated the bottom half of the conservatory using block insulation inside dry lining, with new windowsills on the top

In terms of the roof/ceiling - it depends on the condition really, and how cold the roof makes the room

You'll also need to run a dehumidifier in the room to get rid of the damp and keep it dry

[Marmitelover55]

Before and after:

[BaryMerry]

helpfulchap I hadn't considered planning permission, that's worth checking out.

notso your suggestions seem quite sensible - I think that's the sort of thing I'm thinking of - a few tweaks that would make it a more usable room. Hadn't considered underfloor either!

marmite is that yours?? Or just an example of what could be done?!

[Marmitelover55]

Yes it's ours!

[fartlek]

Marmite I love that!

[Moving15]

I have a funny room like this and other odd shaped extensions across the back if our house and we are looking at doing exactly what Marmite has done to unify the back. Marmite it looks fab!!

Our conservatory thingy has proper foundations so I think that putting a proper roof on is the way to go for us.

[Marmitelover55]

Thanks guys! We had a fab architect and builder. It has made a huge difference to our house and the way we live in it.

[BaryMerry]

I can see why marmite - it's amazing!