Planning permission is not necessary for all conservatories. Adding a conservatory can be allowed under “permitted development” rules. That said, we always recommend you check whether full planning permission is required. Not only will this give you total peace of mind, but save you a great deal of money. Failure to check could be an expensive mistake should local authorities decide a conservatory was built illegally and it would need to then be removed.

READ MORE ABOUT PLANNING PERMISSION

The main differences between an orangery and a conservatory is in the construction of the roof. Both are usually built on solid foundations. However, where orangeries are made up of a perimeter flat roofing area with central glass lantern, most conservatories have a pitched fully glazed roof.

READ MORE ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A CONSERVATORY AND ORANGERY

There are many heating options for your conservatory. Installing a wood burner is one of them. It may involve some work to install the wood burner, especially if a flue needs to be put in place.

It is possible to convert a conservatory into an extension. However, it is not always as easy as it sounds. Most conservatories are not constructed to Building Regulations standard and an extension will require Building Regulations and as such, a new structure will be required to comply to Local Authority Building Control requirements. A surveyor would need to visit the property in order to assess the feasibility of converting the existing structure into an extension. However, you can create the look of an extension by adding a part glazed part solid roof to your conservatory, such as the Everest Livin’ Roof.

A conservatory is usually cheaper than a single story extension of the same size. Of course, the price will depend on how big the structure is, the complexity of the build and materials used. Conservatories are usually priced depending on the size and style required, whereas extension costs are normally priced per square meter.

Without the correct footings a conservatory could start to subside. Even for a single storey conservatory or extension you will need deep foundations to make sure it remains strong for years to come. The GGF recommend that all conservatory bases are constructed to Building Regulation standard.

Kitchen conservatories are increasingly becoming the most wanted extensions, as the demands of open plan living continue to grow. A kitchen conservatory must be well ventilated to ensure heat from cooking or appliances can escape. As with all extensions, you must comply with UK building regulations and check whether planning permission will be required.

The roof of a conservatory is not made to be load bearing. Therefore, you should not attempt to stand, walk or crawl along them. If you clean your conservatory roof then it is advisable to use a telescopic brush and ladder, or speak to a professional cleaning company who will have all the necessary equipment to clean the roof effectively.

Conservatory designs tend to be built with a large percentage of glazing but can be designed to comply with building regulations. For this to comply you may need to up spec certain elements like the base and brickwork. You may also require an insulation evaluation for the existing property which may mean you have the up spec the insulation of the existing property to gain the conservatory as a permanent structure.

Existing conservatories are covered under standard home contents and buildings insurance, providing that it is built and classed as a permanent structure that has been constructed properly. The majority of insurance companies will treat a conservatory as part of the building itself. However, it is always worth checking with your home insurance provider.

Conservatories can take between three and four weeks to build, with larger projects taking a little longer. Obviously, this depends on the size and complexity of the structure. It is imperative to check that planning permission is not required before any build begins, to avoid any unnecessary costs.