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Original poster

Turning our conservatory into a proper brick extension?

20 replies

SPARKLYSTARSHINESBRIGHT · 28/12/2019 23:10

Has anyone done this? we have a 4m x 4m glass roof conservatory which is the usual cold in winter, hot in summer. 3 sides of glass and we have the original patio door separating the conservatory to the house. We have had quotes for changing the roof to an insulated plastic tile type roof which range from £6K to £8K.
I would rather get building regs and do it properly by adding onto the dwarf wall with pillars and make one glass wall brick. I'm wondering if we can reuse the French doors and some of the windows to cut down on cost. Does anyone know if the windows/frames are different to regular house windows?

OP posts:

PragmaticWench · 29/12/2019 07:24

I think it would depend on the foundations under the current conservatory, they don't usually go anywhere near the depth required for a proper brick structure.

Indecisivelurcher · 29/12/2019 07:43

Following as having the same conversations here. I'm surprised the warm roof is that much.

TeeBee · 29/12/2019 08:33

Agree about the foundations. Quite often, conservatories don't require building regs so are often built on substandard foundations. Get a structural engineer or reliable builder to come and take a look for you.

MarieG10 · 29/12/2019 08:35

The only way in reality is demolish it and start again. At some point you will face this decision or replace the existing conservatory anyway as they are limited in life span. Added to that they nearly always bloody well leak!

If you are staying out then go for a proper extension which will have full building regs standards, so it will have insulation in the floor walls and roof. Don't be tempted to have the large lantern flat roof as unless you are lucky with the way you face the sun, in summer you will have sun come through and it is difficult to block. Velux and blonds are much better and you have a proper roof.

We have done what you are thinking. Large room, warmest in the house and usable all year. Doesn't suffer the blistering heat in the odd occasion it is warm either as the insulation works both ways.

We have no regrets.....unlike our neighbour

longearedbat · 29/12/2019 08:37

I would think you would have to knock it down and re build - with the correct foundations - for this to work. I doubt very much that any existing foundations will take the weight of a brick extension, especially if you are planning on putting a proper roof on it.

ByAppointmentTo · 29/12/2019 10:21

My parents added a tiled roof with lots of insulation and insulated the floor of theirs. I don't know how much it cost but they can now use it Year round and it's become a great room to have and not a glorified fridge/furnace depending upon the time of year.

Original poster

SPARKLYSTARSHINESBRIGHT · 29/12/2019 10:32

I think our foundations are ok as my knowledgeable DFIL oversaw the works and they were built deeper but would have to dig down to make sure. We already have underfloor heating and a radiator off our central heating system which isn't very effective as it's on the end of the run. Wish we'd had a proper extension in the first place as it was built when we were having another extension over the garage at the time but money didn't allow.

OP posts:

MarieG10 · 29/12/2019 11:10

@SPARKLYSTARSHINESBRIGHT . From what I have seen previously you will be lucky if they have build foundations to building regs standards as there has not been the need or will by conservatory companies. Previously seen where they have just poured a raft but not dig down to solid perimeter concrete supports.

Frankly, if you were to do a new build, why in earth would you risk the foundations starting to sink as by the time you expose them all you may be as well to re do. If your husband is sure then that may be a different situation

Did he watch them being done?

Original poster

SPARKLYSTARSHINESBRIGHT · 29/12/2019 11:41

We would obviously check and dig down to make sure, FIL is a structural engineer so has some knowledge and was here every day when the builders were here building the dwarf wall for the conservatory and the extension over the garage. Will ask FIL when I can get hold of him.

OP posts:

katewhinesalot · 29/12/2019 11:49

We did it and it's wonderful but we did have to start from scratch as the foundations weren't deep enough.

KittyMarmalade · 30/12/2019 00:15

Or, another idea, just love your conservatory for what it is and stop trying to use it for something it isn't!
Mine was a dumping ground for years, but having recently tidied it up, I love it! Yes, it is too hot on summer days, but it's really lovely to sit in on summer evenings and in spring and autumn. In winter, it's a drinks fridge and somewhere to keep my non-hardy garden plants out of the frost. Now I've accepted it's not a regular room, more of an occasional treat, it's a joy to have.

MarieG10 · 30/12/2019 07:36

@KittyMarmalade

Or, another idea, just love your conservatory for what it is and stop trying to use it for something it isn't!

Good advice if you can. However, a lot of people get sold conservatories by flash companies with a load of spin about triple glazing etc and unfortunately have a shock. Others buy houses with a conservatory and if not had one before have expectations that it is a usable space 365 days a year when it isn't, unless you use it as winter plant storage !

Our neighbours spent £22k on one 20 years ago and bitterly regret it. Describe it as utterly useless which helped inform our decision to have a proper extension designed with open aspect and lots of glass but which is part of the house and used 365 days a year

fantango · 30/12/2019 07:58

We're doing this right now. Knocked out conservatory, dug new foundations and rebuilding brick extension but double the size. It's required full architecture and planning permission. All in will be 85k.

MarieG10 · 30/12/2019 08:12

Oh..forgot to say. My neighbour offered advice to someone else on the basis of "imagine buying a glass greenhouse and using it to sit in instead of using it for tomatoes. Well that's the definition of a conservatory"

I thought pretty apt really lol

CarrotBarrot · 30/12/2019 13:25

How much are you intending to spend, because it sounds like it might be expensive without even increasing the size and you are objecting to a £6k roof?

FWIW, my in-laws had roof upgraded (I was dubious) but it's basically given them an extra, regularly-used, sitting room/extended dining room with a nice garden view without significant building work.

johnd2 · 30/12/2019 14:38

Conservatories are a bit of a con in my opinion, when we bought our house we couldn't wait to raze ours as it blocked the light, the view and access to the garden, leaked, and was unable except at specific times of day/year.
Now we have full glazed rear (not bifold) and proper insulation so we can sit and look at the garden whatever the weather.

ItsAlmostGone · 30/12/2019 15:50

We were faced with a similar dilemma and got quotes for both. It was going to cost £40k and be very disruptive to knock the conservatory down and rebuild a brick extension. Or 10k to put a lightweight tiled roof onto the existing structure in a week - and also plaster and decorate.

We went for the latter and couldn’t be happier. We decided to retain the patio doors between the house and the conservatory so we can use the rooms seperately. We might get these replaced when we can be bothered though as they are not particularly attractive.

Original poster

SPARKLYSTARSHINESBRIGHT · 30/12/2019 18:33

Well, spoke to FIL and footings aren't deep enough, so would be a start from scratch if we went for complete rebuild. My FIL bought a house a couple of years ago and had a lightweight roof put on and they use the room everyday as their dining table is in there. The £6K quote was from the same company as they used so maybe we will go back to roof change. Thank you for your replies.

OP posts:

katewhinesalot · 30/12/2019 18:37

My parents are pleased with their new roof. They had maximum insulation and sky lights put in. Even recessed spot lights. It's a good compromise.

MarieG10 · 31/12/2019 07:07

@KittyMarmalade

My parents are pleased with their new roof. They had maximum insulation and sky lights put in. Even recessed spot lights. It's a good compromise.

I suppose it could be but what is worth considering is the age of the conservatory and particularly the gazed units. If they are old then they will become more apt to leaking and specifically the double glazing will start to "blow" usually after 10 years. If so, then add replacing these into the cost as well and it might be rather a balancing act. A neighbour near us did the roof and yes was pleased but after two years the other stuff started needing rectification.

In essence, as long as you understand that conservatories are classed as temporary structures added to a house. They are not built to building regs as a house extension would be, hence why external doors have to be retained as the entrance to them. As they age they add very little to house value and as already discussed, are extremely restrictive as to use.

Hence my advice, that depending on how long you intend to stay in the house, longer term when adding use with long term value extending as a proper build is often much better value.

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