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Original poster

Conservatory or extension?

52 replies

Dizzywizz · 19/03/2017 07:55

So we had someone out to quote for an extension off the lounge yesterday, it will be to create a dining space - we have a decent sized 3 dbl bed bungalow but the lounge is small, dining table in the kitchen makes the kitchen feel small. Extending up not an option, I am disabled.

Anyhow, the upshot was £30k extension but the builder thought a conservatory much better option for us - 10-15k. I am worried about conservatories being too cold in winter too hot in summer? Will be south facing, with radiator, French windows and roof windows, laminate floor pos a rug.

And are conservatories passé? I've never really liked them but the cost saving and how he was saying he has one which is perfect all year round and I have seen some modern designs on Pinterest....any thoughts?

OP posts:
beansbananas · 19/03/2017 11:29

Definitely go for an extension over a conservatory. It will add much more value to your property and will be a much more useful space.

glitterglitters · 19/03/2017 11:29

Following with great interest. We're having the same dilemma currently but it would be to replace a current "walk through style" conservatory. I'm pushing for an extension and doing it properly but we need to get some quotes in.

CJCreggsGoldfish · 19/03/2017 11:31

We inherited a conservatory when we moved here 2.5 years ago...I thought it would be nice but I hated it. As everyone else says, too cold in winter, too hot in summer. We're in the middle of building work now where the conservatory has been ripped down and we're replacing with an extension. It'll cost us near £30k by the time it's all finished but it will now be a useable space, and hopefully add some value to the house (unlike the conservatory).

I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but I do think a conservatory will be wasted money in the end.

Original poster
Dizzywizz · 19/03/2017 12:14

Noeuf they didn't seem worried about the heating, it's a very new System maybe that makes a difference?

Oh dear, I had no idea people really didn't like their conservatories! I had heard the too hot/cold thing but they just seem to be so prevalent, I thought it was a bit of a myth!

OP posts:
johnd2 · 19/03/2017 12:30

Op, if you think of a conservatory as a sheltered part of your garden rather then a part of your house, you won't go far wrong. Suddenly seems a lot of money when you go that way.
When we had our extension, the first thing they did was knocked out the conservatory, and the room it was attached to suddenly was light again! So not only was it a useless hot/cold box used as a garden shed, it was ruining our actual dining room.

SouthWestmom · 19/03/2017 12:30

I don't know. We had a 7 yr old boiler and central heating but we're told we couldn't extend this to the conservatory. Something about it needing a separate source of heat or it would need planning permission maybe? I'm not very clear on it.

SouthWestmom · 19/03/2017 12:33

southcoastwindows.co.uk/blog/energy-efficiency/how-to-heat-a-conservatory

This is about heating.

Just don't do it . I feel like I just chucked thousands in the bin.

tasteslikechicken · 19/03/2017 12:37

I'd go for extension but have bi-folding doors the entire length of the wall. Best of both worlds and adds value to your home.

johnd2 · 19/03/2017 12:47

Yes regarding the heating it's basically only a conservatory if it doesn't use the main heating system. Only if that, ironically, you get all the exemptions on building regulations for a conservatory for example insulation/glazing, which is the main problem everyone hates about them!
If you get the extension, you can have proper heating, but it'll (have to) be insulated properly anyway.

OutToGetYou · 19/03/2017 12:55

I've visited houses of loads of friends and rellies who have conservatories and not on e has someone said "come through to the conservatory" nor have I ever really been in one. Rented a house, with one once, never used it.

Whereas an extension is used because it's just part of the house.

MiaowTheCat · 20/03/2017 13:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Dizzywizz · 20/03/2017 17:24

Hmm I am thinking extension. Thank you for all comments!

OP posts:
m0therofdragons · 20/03/2017 17:27

My conservatory has solid walls either side that are plastered and painted so the only glass is the roof and one wall which is glass panels and double doors. We use it all year and it just has a small heater. It was a great compromise for us.

MissDuke · 21/03/2017 10:10

We are in the process of buying a house with a conservatory. It stretches across the back of the kitchen and lounge but is partitioned in half. Current owners use the half by the kitchen as a utility room which says it all really!

We hope to use it as a playroom initially but as soon as we can save up enough, we plan to remove it and build a proper extension, hopefully with space for both a dining area and sitting area, possibly with bifolds, overlooking the beautiful south facing garden.

WhirlwindHugs · 21/03/2017 10:15

Ours is actually okay, but very sheltered and north facing so doesn't get too hot also we probably spend ludicrous amount of money heating and dehumidifying.

We plan to replace with a normal extension eventually.

BusterTheBulldog · 21/03/2017 10:15

We have inherited one and it's usable for all but the coldest time of year. Ours has 2 brick walls and half height brick on the other 2, Celing blinds plus radiator. Jan and Feb we don't really use it, but the rest of the year it's fine and a really nice extra room. I hated them before I had one, but now it's my fav room

sunshinesupermum · 21/03/2017 10:16

Get another two quotations for an extension but I agree conservatory could well be a waste of money.

MissDuke · 21/03/2017 10:21

Op have you looked at other properties in the area to see if you could get what you want easier by moving?

Original poster
Dizzywizz · 21/03/2017 12:43

Think will get another quote for extension and go with one of them, thank you for all your comments.

Miss Duke - I love the garden too much!! None of the others on our road seem to have extended, a few have conservatories. I guess often a bungalow will be an older couple and so the space is sufficient? Rather than for a family of 4. But it is a good point and one I hadn't considered!

OP posts:
WandaBack · 21/03/2017 13:13

In defence of conservatories.
I love, love ,love mine. It was the best thing we ever did and we live in it from March to October. It's south facing and I like the heat. We have a heater in there so can use it out of season if we have a houseful.

But we already have a large house with three reception rooms and a very big kitchen so it doesn't need to pretend to be anything other than it is. In your shoes I'd go for the extension and have double glass external doors instead of a window.

Whatdoiknow31 · 23/03/2017 08:33

Love our conservatory as well!
We use ours all year as it's an office so it has Underfloor heating in there which is run off the heating system.
It is South facing so does get a bit hot on the hottest summer days, but it's wonderful sitting in there working with the blinds and doors open over looking the garden.

everybody · 23/03/2017 11:29

We had this dilemma a couple of years ago and felt we couldn't justify the cost of a full extension on a house we'd only live in for a relatively short period - £30k plus versus just under £15k for a 5m x 4m conservatory with lantern polycarb roof.

I don't know where you would be living to only get 2 weeks use a year out of a conservatory as some people have claimed - what sort of extreme weather is that in the UK?

We use it every day of the year.

It has a proper radiator and is as warm as the rest of the house but not boiling in summer either - this is in the south east.

I'm sure an extension would be even better but would have cost more than double and loads of people round here enjoy conservatories so it's kind of expected - "retirement area".

tam23 · 23/03/2017 20:38

I love my conservatory. It has a slightly blue glass roof , one full height brick wall and underfloor heating run as a separate system off the main boiler. This means it is useable year round, but we can shut the doors and turn the heat off if we want to. As the underfloor heating is water filled, it is just like running another radiator and very economical, while keeping it lovely and toasty in the winter. It's definitely worth investing in underfloor heating - my cats love nothing more than curling up on the tiles!

bojorojo · 23/03/2017 23:56

I would get a proper extension in your situation.

To get a decent conservatory with underfloor heating and the best glazing is a lot of money. Ours was £65,000. It has our kitchen in it. It is not cheaper than a standard building if you want quality. Warmth and light are brilliant- it is never cold. No cons at all but we have a big house and we didn't skimp.

bigsur99 · 24/03/2017 00:38

Look into having a proper roof with the conservatory and definitely underfloor heating. Could get an electric fire to use in the depths of winter. With a solid roof it would be a garden room.