House extension queries

flowersandtea

Hello,
I am looking for some advice. I’m looking to extend my house. But I am torn between converting our loft, or building a conservatory. I live in the North Wales area, and I am curious as to any experience with house extensions that people may have had in this area?
Additionally, I am wondering what people’s experiences have been with conservatories, orangeries, sun or garden rooms.
Thank you!

Absolutely

It may depend what you want to use the extra space for? How often do you want to utilise it?

For example, I have a large conservatory that I use as the kids playroom/tv room. It has the usual things to be aware of:
- it gets very warm in summer (I have had to install blinds and an air conditioner)
- it gets very cold in winter (I have the biggest radiator I can in there but have to top up the heat with a portable heater)

The conservatory gets used about 80% of the year, but it does cost in terms of heating and cooling to make it a usable space. And there are some days when no amount of heat or air con can make it bearable.

Loft Conversion:
My sister has one and the things I have noticed are
- obviously, it's at the top of the house, heat rises, it can be incredibly stifling
- Lack of windows and only having a velux roof light doesn't help a lot with ventilation
- converting the loft means she lost her junk space. She had to find new places to store all the stuff she had up there
- the stairs up to the loft are extremely tight and steep. My mother, who is 72, can't get up there for love nor money!

Pros and cons with both. Just depends what you are willing to compromise on I suppose.

Hope that helps a little.

iamcornholio

A loft conversion is completely different to a conservatory and so you really need to decide what you want from the new room, and how it will be used

shaun_from_Africa

Something to consider would be the planning permission requirements for the 2 options.

Some councils require planning permission for conservatories and others don't, and generally conservatories are exempt from building regulations, whereas loft conversions must meet strict requirements.
My opinion would be that if you want to make an extra room for everyone to use, then go for the conservatory, but if you are thinking of adding extra room due to family needs, then a loft conversion into an extra bedroom will be what you need.

As ian.... says above, a conservatory and loft conversion are like chalk and cheese. 2 entirely different builds, for 2 entirely different uses.

fluffpot

one thing I would say is that the 'acceptable' style of conservatory is a very personal thing - and when you come to sell the house if the buyers tastes are very different to yours then it might be a sticking point. The same doesn't really apply to a loft conversion as they are basically pretty much the same and can be easily changed by redecorating.

jc808

be aware if its just space youre after (no particular type) a loft conversion is better insofar as you dont encroach on your garden

planning_officer

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Some councils require planning permission for conservatories and others don't...

Nope, this is governed by national legislation - whether an extension to a house requires planning permission or not is the same all over the country. See the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, as amended in 2008.

Many extensions (including conservatories) can benefit from permitted development rights and not require express planning permission - but it depends on their size, location etc.