Is A Conservatory Suitable for a Bungalow North Facing Garden?

Leodogger

We are buying a bungalow shortly and the lounge is not very bright as the garden faces north. We love conservatories but wondered whether the conservatory would provide both plenty of light and sunshine as it will obviously be an extension of the bungalow lounge. Also what designs are best for a north facing garden ?

Anybody know ?

TIA;)

SailorSam

I can't understand how conservatories have become so popular, they're to hot in the Summer and to cold in the Winter. I think it's better to pay a bit extra and build a proper extention that can be used at all times of the year.

Leodogger

SailorSam wrote: »

I can't understand how conservatories have become so popular, they're to hot in the Summer and to cold in the Winter. I think it's better to pay a bit extra and build a proper extention that can be used at all times of the year.

They are probably more popular because they are cheaper to build and give maximum light due to the fact they are glass on all sides whereas an extension is only like another room on your house, light on one side or maybe two depending on windows fitted and if it is on the dark side of your house, so is the extension dark, whereas a conservatory is much lighter and warmer in the summer. Also you are much more likely to need planning permission for an extension to the house. I prefer them anyway

Mallotum_X

We have just had one built on a north facing house. We chose to have one wall brick and include a radiator.

In terms of summer heat, in the warm days we have had this summer it hasnt been unpleasant as it doesnt get full sun. In the winter we should still be warm with the radiator.

One of the reasons we went for a conservatory rather than an extension is that an extension would have created a middle room with out its own windows. We wanted the light to pass though but still have an extra room rather than just make one bigger.

If the lounge is not bright now a conservatory is not going to make it brighter as it will reduce some of the light getting into the lounge compared to now.

has the loft been converted, could you somehow add a roof light that gets more light into the lounge?

Leodogger

Mallotum_X wrote: »

We have just had one built on a north facing house. We chose to have one wall brick and include a radiator.

In terms of summer heat, in the warm days we have had this summer it hasnt been unpleasant as it doesnt get full sun. In the winter we should still be warm with the radiator.

One of the reasons we went for a conservatory rather than an extension is that an extension would have created a middle room with out its own windows. We wanted the light to pass though but still have an extra room rather than just make one bigger. If the lounge is not bright now a conservatory is not going to make it brighter as it will reduce some of the light getting into the lounge compared to now. has the loft been converted, could you somehow add a roof light that gets more light into the lounge?

A roof light would only make the loft lighter, not the lounge. I am fully aware that the lounge will not become any lighter and will probably make it slightly darker, it was just that I love conservatories and it is a trade off for having a lounge that faces north into the garden.

I just wanted to ensure that the conservatory would be much lighter than the lounge even though it will face north. My sister says it will because it is being added to a bungalow which obviously has a lower roof than a house so this should allow more light into the conservatory.

fluffymuffy

JWhite wrote: »

.. you are much more likely to need planning permission for an extension to the house.

There is no difference in terms of the need for Planning Permission between an extension or a conservatory.

fluffymuffy

JWhite wrote: »

A roof light would only make the loft lighter, not the lounge.

I should imagine the suggestion included a shaft connecting the suggested rooflight to the livingroom ceiling.

Mallotum_X

fluffymuffy wrote: »

I should imagine the suggestion included a shaft connecting the suggested rooflight to the livingroom ceiling.

That was what i meant, hence seeing if the loft had been converted. If it has you couldn't put a shaft through it. If it hasn't then you could.

fluffymuffy

Did that on my mother's bungalow - it looks brilliant. And the north-facing conservatory too. Rooflight shaft over the internal kitchen makes the twinkly bits in the granite worktop really stand out.

Leodogger

fluffymuffy wrote: »

Did that on my mother's bungalow - it looks brilliant. And the north-facing conservatory too. Rooflight shaft over the internal kitchen makes the twinkly bits in the granite worktop really stand out.

Couldn't do that, the loft is full of rubbish and wouldn't fancy a roof light in my lounge ceiling, it is quite a low ceiling and not a huge room so would spoil the look of it. Besides i thought having a roof light cut into a pitched roof was expensive.

I am now thinking after researching Conservatories, that a Sun Lounge might be a cheaper option for a bungalow. Extensions tend to need planning permission and I dont really want to go down that route of more expense.

I just want something that is light and not too cold in the winter so any advice would be appreciated

cajef

fluffymuffy wrote: »

There is no difference in terms of the need for Planning Permission between an extension or a conservatory.

Yes there is, planning permission is not required for a conservatory subject to certain conditions.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/conservatories/