Conservatory vs extension

[ScoopyDoo]

We are planning a lot of work to our house next year. Currently it's a 3 bed bungalow with smallish bedrooms, and an old pvc low wall Edwardian conservatory. We are putting on a new roof to give us a master bedroom upstairs ( more than just a loft conversion, the whole roof shape will change so very expensive). Existing downstairs bedroom, dining area and kitchen reconfigured into larger kitchen, utility, and extra bathroom.

The original plan was to replace the existing conservatory with a single story extension to have a dining room. But this is beyond budget now because the roof change will be expensive and we want to do it well. As an alternative we think we might replace the conservatory with a better glazed dwarf wall one with a tiled roof. Have people built one of these recently and can you tell me what the main disadvantages are compared to brick-built extension? It will be north-facing. Current conservatory still too hot in summer. Do the new lightweight tiled roofs make a huge difference?

Well the salespeople say the super light rooves make a huge difference
In practice I'm not so sure I'd replace a conservatory when you had the option for an extension. I'm surprised if there is a huge cost difference ? The quotes we've had just to replace our old conservatory roof with a super light roof are coming in at £8k.

Thanks. It's 5m wide by 3m deep so approx 25k for extension. I am assuming replacing conservatory will come in cheaper but haven't had any quotes.

If you can stretch to it I'd definitely try and extend . Think it will add more value to the house whereas I doubt you'd get the return on a conservatory, although a solid roof might help, many people are sceptical.

Difficult when budget is ruling things out. I definitely wouldn't look to re-roof an old conservatory. They are classed as temporary structures anyway and even with a new roof are frequently still in the too hot and too cold scenario so of limited use and in the end start to leak!I know as a neighbour had it done whereas we extended and had a proper build to building regs standards but with lots of glass and they rue the day they did it.

Can you wait to do that bit or hold off util budget allows?

I think when you price up you may well find that a conservatory is not a cheaper option.
We're taking down one with subsidence from tree roots and an ext nation of the same size would be significantly cheaper as the foundations etc are the same and the frames are a mad price!

5x3m plus footings?
We've been quoted between 30 and 55 k for. 4x4 m. Even the first insurance offer is over 25k.
We're after cash to build a proper extension as we've had the hit in summer cold
In winter issue even with roof fan and heating and super glass.
Find the money and have an extension if at all possible.

If you ever resell many people don't see a conservatory as a plus point, many are just too hot/cold. I'd rather save up and have a nice sunroom (more walls, proper roof but still lots of windows).

I would agree with previous pps about the ext being the better option. Our 5x3m was self build (handy husband and his family in the trade) so it was a lot cheaper than it would have been if we had hired builders but even had it been full cost I would prefer it over a conservatory.

Ok, we might have nothing and just save for extension. We had hoped to get this all done at once but not willing to extend the mortgage but the full amount needed but take point that conservatory may be false economy. We'll have to live without dining room for a while! Thanks all.

It's helped me too as we have an existing conservatory with an old roof. Quotes just for the roof have been so high I'd rather knock it down and replace with extension as there is a good future value/financial case for doing so.

Agree that a conservatory is actually a negative to some. I'd factor in the cost of removing it when looking to buy, so i wouldnt spend a penny on it. Save and replace with an extension when you have the money.

I'm not sure when a conservatory stops and an extension begins - are those rooms that have one or two full height brick walls, a glass wall with bifolds and maybe a glass roof - which is that?

I would definately go for the extension. I have replaced many conservatories with extensions over the last few years but haven’t been asked to build a conservatory for ages.
Depending on where you are in the country an extension should cost you about £1500-£2200 per square meter of floor. That’s completed but without floor covering or decorating.

@Pandaintheporridge . A conservatory is viewed as an external room. Under building regs the old external doors have to remain in place j like a proper extension which is part of the house.

The reality is they are temporary structures which have a tendency to leak over time and have limited usefulness due to the hot/cold issue. Clearly other posters have the same view and a properly designed extension which will comply with building regs will add value to the house and should be a delight. We are with ours. It is delightfully warm at all times of the year despite having lots of glass but doesn't become too hot except in the highest summer temperature when we can just open the sliders or Veluxes.

I'd never get a conservatory again. Absolutely boiling in summer and freezing in winter despite 2 massive radiators and underfloor heating.

I would replace our south facing conservatory with an extension in a heartbeat (if money were no problem.) As PP have said, too hot to sit in during the summer and fridge-like in winter.
Ours has become a walk through to the garden and storage space.