In less sunny climates, such as England, a conservatory or garden room is a must-have, especially if a garden is south facing.
Googling the word 'conservatory' will bring up hundreds of results. Most homeowners will go for a double-glazing company because it can offer cheaper UPVC versions than bespoke firms, which usually favour wood frames and more versatile designs..
In certain areas of Britain, permission needs to be sought from local authorities before even starting building a conservatory and if the house is listed or in a conservation area, these constraints mean that homeowners cannot compromise on quality and design if they want their plans approved.
This particular project involved tearing down an ugly, makeshift leanto conservatory that had been tacked onto a late Victorian house, where all the period fixtures had been stripped out by a previous owner. The house was not listed, nor in a conservation area and there was no need to apply for permission as the conservatory could be classed as allowable development.
A Bespoke Conservatory Can Be Affordable
A builder was contacted and quoted around £8000 for taking down the old leanto and building a new conservatory with a full wall on one side and wooden, glazed frames on the other two sides. The quote didn't include finishes such as painting, application of skirting board and flooring, as these could be tackled by the homeowner, who had some DIY skills and wanted to save money on the build. A double-glazing company was also contacted for a quote, which came to £20,000 for a UPVC double-glazed conservatory including all finishes. The builder quote was more appealing costwise and its bespoke approach would lead to a better use of the space available.
The old leanto was taken apart and foundations were dug for the new conservatory. The full-length wall was built with brieze blocks and rendered so it could be painted. Low brick walls were built on the front and on the side opposite the rendered wall and the wooden, glazed frame was fixed on top. A cement floor was laid.
The conservatory was devised as a garden room, occasional dining room and craft room so a window sill went around two of the walls to accommodate plants without taking floor space. The ceiling was made of triple wall polycarbonate, which is a plastic material that shields heat. Airing was provided by rectangular windows in the glazed structure, besides the door.
As the conservatory faces south, heating was provided by an oil filled radiator, which is quite economical to run as it consumes little electricity. This was only needed from late November to late January, at all other times the sun provided enough heat, while in summer the windows and doors were kept open whenever possible.
Some homeowners prefer to install central heating, which is a must for conservatories facing north, as they get less sun.
Save Money Using DIY Skills
When the builder left, the homeowner painted the wooden structure with hard-wearing gloss paint for exteriors and the interior walls with red emulsion. The flooring matched the kitchen's so there would be continuity from the kitchen into the garden room, creating the effect of space, which was crucial since the kitchen was long and narrow and didn't have room for a dining table.
These wood-effect vinyl tiles are very easy to cut to size (with a craft knife) and fit. They are self adhesive but glue was applied to the cement floor to ensure that changes of temperatures wouldn't detach or warp the tiles.
Lastly, a little bit of money was spent on repairing the broken fence, which was stained brick red with wooden outdoor paint, while the opposite fence was replaced to ensure privacy as the previous fence was in bad state and too low.
Wooden battens created a box in front of the conservatory and on the side towards the big downstair window, which was filled with pebbles. This is a neat solution as a concrete yard is ugly and a paved one is quite costly. A few pots and flowerbeds on both sides completed the makeover. Plants were bought in bulk from a market stall at a huge discount. The indoor plants were grown from cuttings and seed. Of course patience is needed and if homeowners want instant appeal, they can still save money by shopping around as many DIY stores operate discounts during spring and summer holidays.
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