Conservatory or extension?

stars_bright

We really need some more space in our house and had someone round tonight to give us a quote for a conservatory coming from the existing dining room. We were planning to extend the central heating into it and take away the existing patio doors. However, having looked through threads on here I see that you are supposed to keep the outside doors and should get planning permission to put a central heating radiator in. Our back garden faces west and I am also worried about it overheating in the summer and the cost of heating it in the winter. The attraction of the conservatory as opposed to an extension was that we thought it would be quicker, easier and cheaper. When we have had builders round in the past they have not seemed very keen, whereas the conservatory companies are very keen and the one tonight said they could start in 10 weeks and it would be finsihed 4 weeks later. Any advice?

TITEASCRAMP

We have a conny, we dont intend moving so we didnt actually comply with all blg regs ie. we have no doors from the back of the house its all open plan and we have 3 double rads. (which hav never needed all 3 in winter). Im glad we choose a conny because its beautiful to sit here, you feel as though your in the garden.
I havnt noticed a real rise in gas bills. And last point it was quicker. Hope that helps just ask if you need anymore

missile

I had a conservatory with a radiator and open plan to the house which was approved by planning and building control.

An extension will always cost more to build, but it will usually add more value to your property.

MATH

When we had our conny built 6 years ago a number of local estate agents told us they add more value than an extension becuase so many people looking to move like the idea of a conny. Ours faces East and can get a little oppresive in high summer if the windows are not opened early in the day but is lovely and snug in the winter with a double rad. I've not noticed any increase in my heating either.

paddy's_mum

We had a large conservatory built. It has two big radiators. Looking back, I would opt for what my friend calls a 'garden lounge' if I had to choose again.

This is, in essence, a brick built and properly roofed extension but with much more glass than you would find in a more normally constructed room. It is almost a cross between the two. It is much more in keeping with the house than a UVPC construction would be and because of it's more solid construction, the temperatures are much more stable. They can use it happily all year round and yet still have great views over their garden.

Four weeks seems like a long time to me to have a conservatory completed. Ours took about a week (allowing for concrete to dry etc) and the actual erection of the structure took the whole of an admittedly long day.

dld2s

Ours is a great fridge for the beers during the winter, colder than the fridge even, ours was there when we bought the house, unfortunately the previous owners never put heating in it when it was built and we are concentrating on other parts of the house first, make sure you put heating in it. Myself, I would build the extension as opposed to the conservatory.

ravenfire_2

We have both and to be honest depends on what you want to use it for.

You are right in thinking you need permission to put a radiator in, however, I have been told you can get easy planning permission for a conservatory and then once you have that and conservatory is up you can get the radiator in. An alternative is underfloor heating.

amyface

I think you may be getting a little bit mistaken between building regulations and planning permission and i would definitely speak to your local council. Or perhaps I am! but surely planning would not care at all about radiators or heating; that's not their remit as its a building control function.

We are doing exactly the same as what Paddy's Mum says she would do, looking back. A brick built 'sun lounge' with 4 velux roof windows & french doors / windows all on the back, with solid walls on the other two and a high ceiling which is plaster boarded and insulated. A cross between extension and conservatory.

4 weeks for a conservatory seems a really long build - they should be up in a week / ten days i would expect.

PS: The reason for keeping the doors on is otherwise you have to comply with energy loss regulations - regulation L. This is very difficult to do with a glass or polycarbonate roof / traditional conservatory structure.

planning_officer

Last post is very true - planning permission is required for any extension to a dwelling (be it a brick built extension, conservatory or lean-to!), unless it falls within the realms of permitted development - which many do, but if your property has been extended before, is in a National Park, AONB or Conservation Area, or the conservatory will be excessively large or fronting a road then I suggest you contact your Council to ascertain whether it will need planning permission.