What's so wrong with a conservatory?

[conservatoryconfusion]

So I need more space due to having 3 children incl set of toddler twins - no playroom and id say a smaller than average lounge. Kitchen/diner and no other space downstairs

I must have contacted a dozen builders for a quote on an extension but the ones that do bother to speak to me say they are booked up for 2 years

So I've booked a couple of companies to quote a conservatory but then everyone I mention it to so says "don't do it"

I don't get it? As far as I can see

pros
One company - all complete in short space of time
Finance options to spread cost over 5 years
Cheaper
Less disruption

cons
Apparently too hot in summer - but wouldn't you just open the doors? Install roof blinds?

Apparently too cold in winter - don't you just have a radiator installed? Or at very least an electric one?

I have a ceiling fan in mine which makes it fine for use in the summer with the doors open as well. It does get cold in the winter but I find a single electric heater warms it up enough to sit out (we used to have our dining table in there).

I guess in theory an extension would be better, but then I would have no natural light in my kitchen which would be a downside for me.

Look at preformed timber framed extensions, they are cheaper and quicker than custom brick

We love ours. It is east facing and cooler in the evening. We have special coating on the roof, which means that the sun does not beat down on us. We had a large patio with high walls so were able to save a lot of money as it could be used as the basis for two sides of the conservatory. We have a radiator in there but find a small fan heater a big help in the winter. It is a lovely extra room and we have never regretted it. There seems to be a lot of snobbery around conservatories but don’t let that put you off. When they are well made they add an extra room to the house at a fraction of the cost of an extension.

We have a very large 20 year old conservatory, small walls all round, large windows, patio doors, and glass roof. And yes, it was a chilly in winter, but we have rads, and a could be a bit hot in the summer, but we had fans...... however, we have just had the roof replaced with modern high tech reflective glass, and the difference is staggering. Even these last few days, quite comfortable sitting in it, no need for fans. It faces North West, so gets afternoon sun, and used to be roasting. Glass technology has come a long way. Make sure you spend the extra for the expensive glass, it is worth it.

I moved into my house last year, it has a 6m x 3m with glass roof
I bloody love it and it's my favourite room
There are some blinds on the ceiling and it's NW facing
There are 3 rads (of which two are turn off in winter)
This last couple of weeks it's been bastard hot during the day - but it's hot everywhere 🤔
However... I am interested in getting a new tiled roof done - so if anyone has recommendations?

Ours is about 22 years old framewise, but about 5 years ago we upgraded the roof and all of the glass so that the u value reduced considerably. We added insulation into the floor and installed retrofit underfloor heating - water system. We took the wall down between the kitchen and conservatory and so it is effectively L shaped. We have put sofas in there and use it all the time. The dining room extends off it with full width doors so it's a large entertaining space when needed. Pro's plenty of light and a bit of sun in the winter really warms it up. Cons - in summer it can get very hot but we open the roof vents and doors into the garden and it brings the temperature down. The underfloor heating takes a while to become effective so we are in the process of having a tall radiator installed linked to the main water central heating which will help in the winter when it gets really cold. The glass on the two walls are on dwarf walls and the walls are also insulated. We looked into installing a lightweight solid roof and were quoted £17k which I laughed at! Even though cost of heating etc is increasing we will be years before extra heating costs for the conservatory in winter reach that amount!!

As pp we also got a quote for a lightweight roof - £25K !!! We changed the glass instead, 6K.

Ours, with blue glass roof, is holding up well in the heat. NW facing but shaded most of the time. Roof light and windows are open, along with the back door to create a through draft.

Since thread Ive been paying close attention to the temp in mine

Today we are sitting here, its 25 outside and 26 in the conservatory.

We had a quote to replace our conservatory with an extension - was 40k. So instead we had a lightweight roof installed for 9k and honestly it’s the best money we’ve ever spent. It looks amazing and there are no longer any issues with temperature. Ours is an Ultraroof and has 2 bits of glass as well so has kept it lovely and light

Be prepared to need medical assistance! Quotes are eye watering at mo. I've put our plans on hold as I just can't justify the expense.