Can you Convert a Conservatory into an Extension?

This is a common question nowadays and it’s no real surprise given the quality of many of the conservatories out there. One of the biggest disappointments of moving into a house with a poor conservatory is the inability to use a potentially light and airy space all year round. If you resent giving up so much room to plants and excess storage and dream of a new kitchen diner or a humane playroom for the little ones then it’s probably time to put some serious thought into your next move.

If you’ve tried blinds and heaters and your conservatory still feels like a tropical jungle in the summer and a Siberian wasteland in winter then there are a number of options to consider before

So what are your options?

Full Conservatory Extension

There is, of course, nothing wrong with going for a full extension and there are many companies out there who will do a fine conversion job for you. However, opting for a full extension is not for the faint-hearted. Regardless of what you may have been told, converting a conservatory into an extension will need building regulations approval and possibly planning permission as well (though usually not). You will almost certainly need to have deeper foundations with all the upheaval that that entails and as time progresses expect your quotes to continue to rise.

If you have a healthy budget and you don’t mind a little disruption then a full extension may be for you.

Insulation Overhaul

If the main issue with your conservatory is the temperature fluctuation then for under £5,000 you will almost certainly be able to get hold of a decent local builder who can work wonders. For example, you can get any solid walls insulated and plastered, underfloor heating wired in and your roof resealed. If glare is a big problem for you, your plants and your furniture then there UV inserts or foil solar roof reflectors you can buy but people have mixed opinions about their effectiveness (and their effect on anything you might want to grow).

Conservatory Roof Conversions

If you are unhappy with your existing roof (e.g. if you’re losing too much heat or suffering with glare) then another alternative to turning a conservatory into an extension is to opt for a conservatory roof conversion. Rather than sticking with a glazed roof, you can have a lightweight solid roof with integrated insulation for a fraction of the cost of a full extension. If you don’t want to shut out the light completely, you can opt for an attractive skylight and vents can help you to circulate air during the summer. You will need Building Regulations approval as they will want to check the thermal performance of the roof, the structure of the windows and the adequacy of the foundations but the requirements are much less stringent than with a full extension.

So to summarise…

Can you convert a conservatory into an extension? You almost certainly can but if your aim is simply to make the existing space more comfortable and practical, you may find you don’t actually need to take that step.

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