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Property/DIY

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Conservatory question

11 replies

StyleManual · 13/08/2013 14:05

We're thinking about buying a house that has a conservatory. I need an office space as I work from home. Unfortunately I don't think the conservatory is the best quality so I don't think it'd be a long term solution. Has anyone upgraded their conservatory to a usable space i.e. not boiling and freezing. And how much might this cost? The space is 2m x 2m. Any advice would be very welcome.

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StyleManual · 13/08/2013 18:43

I lied, it's 4m x 2m.

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primallass · 14/08/2013 10:11

It's the brightness I would be worried about the most. You'll need very good blinds if you are going to work in there I imagine. Ours was south-facing however, but it was uncomfortably bright.

primallass · 14/08/2013 10:12

For a new one built on top of existing foundations/dwarf wall I reckon you'd get one for 6-8k if you shop around (that's what ours cost and was about 4x3.

StyleManual · 15/08/2013 11:39

It's south facing and I think it's pretty basic - all plastic and no dwarf walls. I bet using it as an office will be a non starter. I think we'll have to budget for replacing it altogether and then just see how it is over a few months before we do anything.

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Babybeesmama · 15/08/2013 12:52

We have underfloor heating in ours as its not too hot in summer as is on north facing wall and rarely gets sun. You can get excellent split air con/heat units that could work x

StyleManual · 15/08/2013 13:03

That sounds nice! But surely very expensive to install? I guess decent heating, a decent insulated roof and good blinds might do the trick.
I've always had a poky dark office, so the thought of glaring sunshine is quite appealing!

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primallass · 16/08/2013 17:54

At least as it is south-facing it will be warmer. I think you can get thermal roof blinds.

bimbabirba · 16/08/2013 22:42

You can't count on a conservatory to be a "proper" room IME. I've had two conservatories in the past and finn enough the south facing one was the hardest to make good use of. It was just too bright and too hot most of the time even in English weather.

StyleManual · 18/08/2013 12:40

I think if we go for the house the conservatory will be a very handy bike store! We can always save up and build a proper extension in a few years. But I think we'd be wasting our money trying to upgrade what is essentially a plastic lean-to. Even the EA said as much!

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FCEK · 19/08/2013 16:47

My husband uses our conservatory. It's a nightmare in summer. Too hot and the sun prevents him seeing his screen. Part of the reason we are moving is for a better office space

rathbone · 20/08/2013 16:33

I think with any conservatory you need to make sure you have enough ventilation and blinds for the summer and double or triple glazing to ensure you are warm enough for the winter. There is a cost to getting this right but once you do you can enjoy your conservatory all year round. Our conservatory was around 9k back in 2006 but was about twice the size we used www.sehbac.com

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