Kitchen opened up to conservatory

Mrs_CP

We have just bought a house with an open conservatory as part of the open plan kitchen. Having already spent a lot of time in the kitchen, on a cold evening, I can say I felt no cold or drafts whatsoever. I was aware that the construction breached building regs, but this has not caused our lender any concerns. The fact that we have a wood burning stove really helps!

pinkteapot

bluewater wrote: »

I know that a conservatory is not a habitable room and that removal of walls or patio doors to open it up to the rest of the house breaches building regulations.

I don't think this is correct. My understanding was that if a conservatory is separate to the house (by patio doors etc) then it's exempt from building regs. If an opening is created, building regs approval must be applied for and obtained. Approval can be given though.

Are you certain the vendor doesn't have building regs for the conservatory?

HouseBuyer77

wolfplayer wrote: »

All glass allows the passage of heat.

Fine in Summer as it shines in.

Winter and heat just leaks out.

Perhaps fine if you're at full belt with the heating in there.

All materials allow the passage of heat (if you have one that doesn't I suggest you submit it to the nobel prize committee and collect $1'000'000).

U values allow you to quantify this, this page has some info:

https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/U-values

Certainly roofs/walls built to modern standards are significantly better than glass (U value of 1ish for decent glass vs 0.18 for insulated cavity wall).

Note that uninsulated cavity wall, and solid wall has worse U value than (decent double or triple glazed) glass at 1.5 or 2 respectively (uncertain when insulated cavity wall became standard but there's plenty of properties out there without insulated walls).

I'm having trouble finding the U Value of a roof built to older standards (say 70s or 80s) seems it's around 0.8.

So a modern conservatory isn't that efficient but can be heated in a similar way to a building of 80s or so standards. You certainly don't need the heating on full blast all the time to achieve a comfortable temperature.

plasticcheese

We did this in our last house, although the conservatory had solid walls so was just a glass roof and patio doors really. Got building regs signed off fine as I told him we would reinstall a door should we sell. When it came to selling, there were no issues at all, the buyer liked the layout. If it had been a problem, my conveyancer said an indemnity policy would have covered it.

Never had any heat, condensation or cold issues at all, we used the extra room as a dining room and kids play area all year round. We did install good blinds to stop it being too hot in summer, and a small radiator did the trick in winter.

Doozergirl

pinkteapot wrote: »

I don't think this is correct. My understanding was that if a conservatory is separate to the house (by patio doors etc) then it's exempt from building regs. If an opening is created, building regs approval must be applied for and obtained. Approval can be given though.

Are you certain the vendor doesn't have building regs for the conservatory?

If you create the opening then your conservatory becomes an extension and needs to be built as such.

Removing doors to create an 'extension' would almost certainly breach regs as the initial conservatory, having the doors is unlikely to have been built to regs.

Regulations cover far more than just heat loss from a glass room. We can have endless anecdotal conversations with people who say they are warm, but they are not built for longevity.

Davesnave

Doozergirl wrote: »

. We can have endless anecdotal conversations with people who say they are warm, but they are not built for longevity.

Agreed, although I think mine will probably outlast me! :rotfl:

moneyistooshorttomention

Is that my new fact I've learnt for the day there? (ie conservatories not built for longevity)?

I've always assumed that they are actually and, when I eventually get enough money to add a conservatory to current house, am assuming it will last as long as the house itself does (or, certainly, easily at least long enough to "see me out")? Hmm....the one on my parents house is donkeys years old after all....

Davesnave

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Is that my new fact I've learnt for the day there? (ie conservatories not built for longevity).

How long do PVCU double glazed windows last? About 20- 25 years?

That's all most conservatories are, in terms of their superstructure.

Of course the walls may be conventional cavity built, so could easily last a lifetime, but Doozer's point was directed at the glazed elements, I think.

moneyistooshorttomention

Davesnave wrote: »

How long do PVCU double glazed windows last? About 20- 25 years?

That's all most conservatories are, in terms of their superstructure.

Of course the walls may be conventional cavity built, so could easily last a lifetime, but Doozer's point was directed at the glazed elements, I think.

No problem then I guess - as it will "see me out" anyway...:)

BJV

I spent a ridiculous amount of money having basically the back of my old house ripped off and walls knocked through. It looked amazing, was warm and have to say honestly think it helped sell the house. ( well I know it did as the new owners told me ) I think saying all conservatories are cold is a general statement. Too much will depend on the build, the glass, the flooring etc.