Argh! Conservatory disaster!

[cheapandcheerful]

Hi everyone!

Background: We bought this house two months ago and it had been fairly recently renovated by the previous owners (i.e. new bathroom and kitchen). However it has a disgusting conservatory at the back which we have so far ignored/hung washing in. We don't have anything against conservatories in general but this one is ancient, filthy and falling apart.

The plan: We intended to keep the conservatory as a general dumping ground/laundry area for 5-10 years or however long it took us to save up for an extension (utility room and open-plan dining area) across the back of the house.

The problem: Whilst dh was mowing the lawn at the weekend he managed to shoot a pebble at the conservatory, shattering the pane of glass that comprises the sliding door . We asked a builder friend who says that due to the age/condition of the conservatory, it will be likely impossible to replace the glass.

What would you do? We really don't want to waste money on a conservatory when we would prefer an extension in the long-term but we can't afford an extension yet (have about £18k in the bank). Can't extend our mortgage as we just upped it for the sake of the house move and we're maxed out.

Can you board it up, and carry on ignoring it?

I think board it up. Or demolish the building and re build if and when you need to.

Knock it down completely.

Just demolish it. We took ours down last summer.

Have you considered replacing it with an orangery (i.e. like a conservatory but with a more solid roof/ceiling)? It might be a cheaper way of getting all of the space you need, with a more stable temperature than a conservatory, at a much lower cost than a full-on extension.

You can get glass or double glazed units made to measure fairly cheaply and easily

I don't see why it will be impossible to replace the glass? Get a local double glazing firm to come out and measure up for a new pane or unit if double glazed

We have patio doors that are 30 years old. Did the same thing a couple of years ago. Got a glazing firm to come and measure up. Cost £240 to replace. Sure you could do the same.

Agree you should get another opinion

If it's the condition that prevents you from replacing the glass, maybe you should just knock it down.

A decent orangery is not cheaper than a conventional extension if you actually want to live in it! They also have lantern roofs, made of glass. If, when you come to replace it, you need to save a bit on heating costs, go for a standard extension. My orangery was circa £80,000.

Millymollymama - Goodness, I had no idea an orangery could cost so much! It must be lovely. My folks' one was well under £20k, admittedly sometime in the mid 1990s...

Yes oh my - our single storey extension about 5 years ago was £20k including some appliances - seems mad doesn't it?