Kitchen opened up to conservatory

bluewater

Good point pinkteapot. The vendor says that all approvals have been obtained (but there is also a brick built bedroom extension and I think they were referring to that). I don't remember where I picked up the term habitable room but I think it's from past involvement with planning/building regs. I will check with my local Building Control Dept today.

martinsurrey

BJV wrote: »

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.

and how much you are willing to pump into the heating bill.

and thats the reason I wouldn't buy one.

super expensive Triple glazed low emissivity Krypton filled, insulated frame glass has a U value of about 0.8

A modern wall built to the minimum building regs has 0.3 and is a fraction of the price of the glass above.

the ONLY reason to have an open conservatory is to cut costs at the expense of your heating bill and eventual replacement.

bluewater

I have just spoken to a building inspector and my first question was 'could a conservatory that is open to the main house ever comply with building regs?' The answer was surprisingly (to me) yes. It depends, as has been said here, on thermal values, and the calculation is this: you calculate the total floor area of the property including the conservatory. You then calculate the area of all the openings in the property (windows and doors), including the conservatory. This area is expressed as a percentage of the floor area and if it is less than 25% then it's OK. If it's greater than 25% then in order to comply with building regs the u value of the conservatory should be reviseted (triple glazing or whatever).

I asked him about this particular case and he said ask the vendors for proof. So I will ask the agent to get this.

Riggyman

Nooooo, don't ask the agent, they work for the seller, not you.

Ask your solicitor to ask the vendor's solicitor to ask the vendor.

Or if you're not at the point of having appointed a solicitor yet, ask the vendors directly.

cloo

I didn't think open plan to a conservatory was a buildings reg issue - I just thought there was an issue if any of the kitchen was fitted within the conservatory itself? Or does opening to it amount to the same thing?

martinsurrey

cloo wrote: »

Or does opening to it amount to the same thing?

yes.

the opening makes the conservatory an integral part of the thermal envelope of the building.

Bonfire_Bride

I'm quite anti conservatory! It was one of things on our "must not have" lists when buying.


My mum had a huge one put on her house in the 90's...i hate the things. It makes candles melt in the summer and is freezing in the winter.


Plus...all that glass to clean...eugh!