To ask if you’ve managed to turn your conservatory into a useable space?

[Ethelfleda]

South facing garden - conservatory is stupidly hot in summer, cold in winter etc. I’ve read different methods from cheaply lining the ceiling up to total roof replacements/ extension.
Have you used any of these, what was the cost and rough size and was it worth it?

Ours is 10’ x 15’. We had the polycarb roof replaced with a guardian roof - looks like solid tiles, with 2 velux skylights. It cost about 10k, and was worth every penny. We use it every day now.

Ours is south-facing. I never wanted a conservatory - I thought they were light-thieves which only resulted in making the adjoining living areas dingy-looking - but we moved into a house with one already in situ. The living room has windows on three sides so the light isn't an issue, and now that I have one I wouldn't be without it.

We use it as a proper conservatory, coupled with a seating area comprising a wicker sofa and a hanging basket chair. We've kept the glass roof because of the plants, but replaced it with the tinted stuff that takes out the worst of the sun's glare. It's fine in winter with additional heating - occasionally on the hot side in summer, but on those days we'd be in the garden in any case.

I'm quite proud of the lush plants I've managed to grow in there as I've never been much of a green-fingered type. One of my bird of paradise plants has reached 7 feet tall, and the other to my pride has started to spout flowers!

Ours is south west facing and the most used room in the house. It is covers the full length of the back of the house and is used as an office, dining room, for entertaining and for tv free relaxation. Getting it has been the best decision and we've had masses of use from it.

Thank you for starting this! My pipe dream is a double height extension on the same footprint - I think a new roof would be more likely 😂

I actually use mine most days and have a dining table and two lovely chests which work as seating and storage along one side. Doors and windows open in summer, and when I bought the house I had the world's biggest radiator put in so it is toasty in winter too. Need some better lighting in there but otherwise I love it and so do the cats.

We have underfloor heating, air conditioning and a ceiling fan which has made a huge difference.

We use one end as a music room and play room and the other end as a greenhouse.

I’d have liked to have replaced it with a proper extension but it would have been stupidly expensive (Over £50k). The underfloor heating, air con and ceiling fans came to about £5k.

We have a quote for electric blinds for £1340, which we will be doing as soon as is safe.