Conservatory or extension??

devmcc

Morning all… so new house is wonderful!!
Now I have a dilemma.. the kitchen I have is 8*8ft… which is fine – I fit and so will all the kitchen bits I need – however.. I am thinking of putting a 10*12ft conservatory off the kitchen into the garden – cost of about £10k all in.. it will just be an additional living space – maybe for reading, a couple of comfy chairs etc…
BUT – I have this niggling feeling that I should go with a extension to the kitchen instead.. My garden is south facing if that helps at all.. re heating/freezing!!
What do you think – anyone had one or the other done and wished they had gone the other way?? Hope this all makes sense..

I await your wonderful replies...:D

melt71

I'm having similar thoughts at the moment, we have had the opportunity to buy a second hand conservatory from a person just around the corner from us. They are getting a much larger one so are selling theirs off really cheap. All in all it should cost us about £750-£1000 to buy and fit it including electrics and underfloor heating :money:

BUT we are also south facing and our garden is on a slant (downwards towards the house) so the kitchen/patio area is always roasting in summer. I'm worried it will be boiling in summer and too cold to use effectively (as a dining room) in winter.

So I'll be watching this thread with interest....

thescouselander

Someone else asked this question recently, you might be able to find the thread by doing a search.

I would advise going for a proper extension. We have a conservatory and it is absolutly freezing in winter and building regulations prevent you from installing central heating in there.

melt71

thescouselander wrote:

I would advise going for a proper extension. We have a conservatory and it is absolutly freezing in winter and building regulations prevent you from installing central heating in there.

Really? in what respect? underfloor heating or radiators GCH??

I've never heard of this and I know people that have heating in their conservatories. Could you clarify what you mean please?

helen_caslass

my mums got a radiator in her conservatory thats linked to the rest of the central heating

melt71

helen_caslass wrote:

my mums got a radiator in her conservatory thats linked to the rest of the central heating

and does she use the conservatory in winter? If we go ahead with this plan it will be to use the conservatory as a dining room so it needs to be a usable room all year round otherwise it will be a waste of time!

ormus

if money is tight then a conservatory is a good idea. but for 10k you could get an extension built. (project manage it yourself).
much better and adds more value to the house.

devmcc

Thanks a million folks... looks like the extension is winning - I just love the thought of morning coffee in the conservatory - but if I have to wear two pairs of thermals and a coat it may not be so glamorous!!

ormus

i was in my mates conservatory the other night, he has his puter in there.
(playing on the www).

it was bloody freezing!!

gasbill

I was thinking of the same thing too - we have a conservatory already, but it's a bit shonky - very cold and leaky, and not sure how hot in summer - only moved in in October, but it's south-west facing, so I was wondering how hot it will be in summer. Next door have a conservatory but it's open all the way through from the lounge with heating in it. So it's sort of more like a conservatory-style extension, rather than a conservatory just parked next to the building which is how ours is at the moment. If that makes sense.

So I'm thinking of maybe doing the same - if I get a proper one that doesn't leak, with real double glazing (not like the sh*te I've got) Or am I wrong in that - would I just be paying to heat the sky?

Or if I had an extension instead, would I be able to use the footings of the existing conservatory? They seem fairly sturdy. Don't think I could it otherwise....

ormus

think its unlikely (but possible) that the existing foundations will have done to the correct specs for a proper extension. the building control officer will want to inspect them before you proceed any further.
dig down the side and have a look. the officer will prob want a small inspection trench anyways. unless of course its on record in his office?