Conservatories provide a light-filled space ideal for lounging and reading, particularly in the warmer months. However, because they are constructed using many glass panels, they can sometimes get too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.

One way to address this issue is to transform your conservatory into an extension or upgrade the current structure by replacing some of the glass with a sturdier, opaque ceiling or wall. Enhancing the walls and ceiling can make your conservatory feel more like the other ground-floor rooms in your property and improve its temperature control. In this post, we'll explore whether converting your conservatory into an extension is possible to achieve.

The short answer is yes, you can (in theory) convert your conservatory into an extension. However, although this looks like a simple and cost-effective renovation option on paper, there are significant drawbacks you should consider carefully before starting a project like this. In this post, we'll discuss some potential issues you should know before considering a conservatory-to-extension renovation. This list is not exhaustive; always seek advice from a professional architect, surveyor, planning consultant, etc., before making any alterations to your home.

There is a significant weight difference between glass and brick. One challenge you might face is that the conservatory's footings may not be strong enough to support the new walls and ceiling. If the foundations are unsuitable for the new materials, they may need to be replaced, leading to the need for more labour, time, and money than you initially anticipated.

Similarly, the walls of your conservatory may only be stable enough to support the existing materials. So, for example, if you wanted to replace your roof with a matching slate roof similar to the rest of your home, the walls of your conservatory might not be supportive enough to handle the additional load.

It is critical that you hire a professional to assess the depth and stability of your footings, the soundness of the walls, the conservatory's overall structural integrity, and more before investing time and money into a conservatory to extension conversion project. Otherwise, you risk causing damage to your existing conservatory or making it dangerous.

In the eyes of building regulations, a conservatory and extension are two entirely different structure types. While conservatories tend to be considered as separate from the property and a temporary structure, extensions are typically a part of the enclosed space that adjoins seamlessly to the rest of your house. This can create complexities when submitting plans to convert your conservatory into an extension to building regulations.

One way to overcome this hurdle is to maintain the existing status of your conservatory, rather than turning it into an extension. There are still many improvements you can make that will simulate the appearance of it being an extension, without changing the definition of your conservatory. For example, rather than using traditional roof tiles, you could add opaque insulated panels to your roof to reduce the amount of sun your conservatory receives and better insulate it in the winter.

If you plan to convert your conservatory into an extension, you may need to obtain planning permission, depending on factors such as your property's location and the intended changes. At Punchard Group, we can advise you whether your build will qualify for permitted development or if it will need a full planning application.

With the potential complexities that may come with converting a conservatory into an extension, it's worth considering alternative options for a project like this. Luckily, there are other possibilities to choose from which might make your project more feasible.

An approach that may be more cost-effective and practical is to keep the conservatory status of your room and upgrade the roof and walls with materials that are suitable for conservatory use. You can use lightweight conservatory tiles, for example, to create a similar effect to traditional tiling. If your conservatory has dwarf walls, you could also consider adding insulation to these to help your conservatory retain heat in the colder months.

If you intend to alter your conservatory significantly, you may find that it is cheaper to knock down your existing conservatory and start from scratch with a brand-new structure. If a solid, permanent structure that blends seamlessly into the rest of the home is your goal, this is often the most efficient way to achieve it.

Navigating the steps to building a new extension can be complex, especially when demolishing an existing conservatory. Our team is here to help; we can assist you at every step of the process, helping you to design, plan, and construct your new extension. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your project and needs to help you get the most out of your build. To book a call with our team, visit our contact page and enter your details, and we will be in touch shortly.