Conservatories and how to get rid of them.

EmmyLou30

We struggled recently when trying to buy a 4 bed detached house to find one without a 'poor mans extension' stuck on the back. That's what they are, a cheaper poor imitation of a lovely single story extension. Either save up to do it properly, or don't bother in my mind. We did find a house without one in the end and the EA thought telling us how we could easily put a conservatory on the back would be a selling point - my OH just laughed at him and explained how much we hated the damn things. We actually refused to view any house with one as we knew it'd cost too much to remove it and try and make good the damage done to the outside walls and garden.
We had one on our previous house and thought maybe it would be nice, use it as the dining room etc but it was useable about 2 weeks of the year as it was south facing (maybe one in a different direction might be better but I doubt it). So it got used as a junk room for 9 years and somewhere to cook fresh washing in the summer in a couple hours flat (it was great for that! but that's an expensive drier). I probably paid a few thousand extra for having it, maybe £2.5k over similar properties, but would have paid more had they done a beautiful single storey extension with kitchen diner and a few velux windows or lantern roof.

DRP

Our old west-facing conserv (built by previous owners) with polycarb roof and radiators is a nightmare in the winter, but perfect in the summer, presumably as we have that extra sun protection of the west orientation (+ fence +next doors extension).

cyclonebri1

I don't know what you expect people to say, the answer is of course yes it's best to knock it down and start again if an extension is affordable to you. :A:A

PasturesNew

I've always seen conservatories as nice, light, spaces where the wind doesn't blow, you can read the paper ... birds don't divebomb your food, there's less chance of insects landing on any food you're eating .... and if/when it starts drizzling you don't have to rush inside.... so it's just a nice outdoor space that's like sitting outside with all the convenience and comfort of inside, for the 7-8 months of the year when the weather's changeable.

I've never had one .... but did stay somewhere that had one once for a couple of months and loved sitting out there.... with the doors open.

Arfa__

pelirocco wrote: »

Ha I wish !! try another £5k , we are just having one built and knocked through to dining room .........although i do wonder if we should have gone for a 'proper extension ' . .......i do like lots of glass tho .

By gum! 4 years ago, we spent £14k on one. 3x4m, Pilkington blue glass roof, one wall 3/4 high, other 1/4 high, one skylight, and radiator fitted and hooked up to central heating. Just tiled and painted walls myself. Didn't knock through mind, so minimal disruption to kitchen.

cyclonebri1

Arfa__ wrote: »

By gum! 4 years ago, we spent £14k on one. 3x4m, Pilkington blue glass roof, one wall 3/4 high, other 1/4 high, one skylight, and radiator fitted and hooked up to central heating. Just tiled and painted walls myself. Didn't knock through mind, so minimal disruption to kitchen.

I can trump that, 3 years back I built 1 from a DIY kit, free stander so technically an "orangery".

It was over 6mtr x 4.5mtr internally. Had a full height brick rear and corners plus buttress support and the rest dwarf walls with 2 windows in the solid wall.
Full concrete slab on insulation, but only a polycarbonate roof.
Total cost about £5300.

pollypenny

I said we'd never have one, but I love it! Installed last November. It is lovely and warm , in spite of being North East facing.

In fact,,through the summer it has added warmth to,the house which is normally cold,,thanks to super insulation.

I think the glass roof is the key, better than the plastic.