New Conservatory, issues over building regs etc.

bclark

I am looking to buy a new house soon and in order for it to work for us I want to build a new Conservatory that will be used as a Dining room. Ideally I would like this Conservatory to be open plan with the rest of the house and this is where things get a bit confusing with regards to what is allowed and what isn’t. I am aware from some research that leaving a Conservatory open to the house brings some issues with building regs etc but there seems to be so much conflicting information out there that I was wondering if the collective community on here could help.

The plan would be to have a glass roof etc and the most insulating glass on the market as I understand that the issues with leaving it open to the house can be got around by having a very low U value? Am I understanding this correctly? We don’t want to skimp so would happily do what is needed and ideally we want to have a radiator out there too but some sources imply that isn’t a straight forward request either?

Anyway does anybody have any specific knowledge or first hand experience of how I may achieve what I want to do here? The Conservatory would be 3.5x3.2m by the way.

Doozergirl

A conservatory doesn't normally need Building Regulations Approval because it is distinguished by being an outside room. You have doors dividing it from the rest of the house.

What you want to do would be classed as an extension to the existing house and therefore is subject to building regulations. There are therefore thermal value which the new building needs to meet. Vast expanses of glass means that you can't meet those regulations with a normal conservatory tacked on and doors removed. As I understand it, Building Control will allow a larger amount of glass in trade off for more energy saving measures within the existing property. You can adjust the design of what you want as well to include more walls. Maybe one side could be a wall rather than glass - if that wall faces the boundary, you don't necessarily need the view from there.

This is the sort of think that would need an architect to design it and liason with building control as to what they'd want to see in the rest of the house - it's not simple for a builder who knows simply from experience what what needs to be done in a regular extension to meet building regulations and that there's nothing to worry about with separate conservatories (normally).

bclark

Thanks. Would I be correct in thinking that adding more wall puts the cost up? I would quite like a more largely brick built extension with glass doors at the end but with a Conservatory style glass ceiling to allow light in but I am figuring this would be a fair bit more expensive than a normal conservatory?

Doozergirl

bclark wrote: »

Thanks. Would I be correct in thinking that adding more wall puts the cost up? I would quite like a more largely brick built extension with glass doors at the end but with a Conservatory style glass ceiling to allow light in but I am figuring this would be a fair bit more expensive than a normal conservatory?

Yes, but it will add more value to your house, especially if it's done well.

akitabow

I have just had a conservatory done, had it done at same time as windows and fascias so quite a lot of work at once

What you can do is what I did in the end which is have bifolding doors fitted which relieves the need for building regs as it still has an exterior grade door but keep it open all the time like I do (it folds back into one panel)

Hope this helps...

leveller2911

Nothing to stop you taking the doors off their hinges once the conservatory has been completed....

akitabow

Above comment = VERY TRUE!

capeverde

dont forget cavity trays if you are removing dividing doors. As post above says, building regs arent needed as long as there is a barrier. Building officer wouldnt even call, simple to put some doors in if its an issue if you sell.

Mankysteve

If your going to have a conservatory that doesn't have doors into the house be aware of the increase in heating requirements during the winter month.