Garden Room or Conservatory?
Choosing the Perfect House Extension for You
Now that the long hot Summer is coming to a close, you may be thinking of having that cosy conservatory or spacious garden room built ready for next year. Even with the heavy downpours and the nights drawing in, there’s still time to start and complete your ideal house extension ready for the winter months.
There are many options when it comes to choosing your ideal house extension, no matter the size of your house or garden. Be it a conservatory or garden room, there’s a wide range of materials and styles available to suit most budgets and tastes.
In this guide, TWS Door and Window Systems break down the features and benefits of every option, allowing you to make an informed decision when choosing your dream house extension.
Conservatories vs Garden Rooms
Depending on the size of your house, garden rooms and conservatories can be deceptively similar at first glance. Both options create additional living space in your property, however, there are quite a few differences to be considered. When it comes to planning, structural design, and materials including windows and roofs the costs can vary drastically.
Garden Rooms Overview
Build
Garden rooms are usually built in a separate building from the main building which are spacious and versatile. A garden room is built using the latest technology, tools and equipment with minor interventions on your property.
A garden room is a self-contained garden building constructed from high-quality, generally natural materials to make a stunning addition to your home or garden. Built less than 2.5 meters tall. In other words, they usually do not require a planning permit.
What Are Garden Rooms Used For?
Garden rooms are more airy spaces that are often used as granny flats, gyms, home offices, and activity spaces. Garden rooms are considered more versatile than conservatories, but they may not be as energy efficient.
What Styles Are Available?
Although there aren’t defined styles of garden rooms on the market, the broad range of materials available for the roof, walls, windows and doors allow for a tailored design.
Find out more about our range of garden room options here
How Much Do Garden Rooms Cost?
Garden rooms are priced differently depending on their size and features. Overall, the garden room price is not much different from the conservatory price. Expect to pay around £10,000 for an entry-level garden room, which could increase slightly if you consider special features such as windows and special materials.
Conservatories Overview
Build
A conservatory is a more complex structure that connects extensions to the property. The conservatory requires excavation, concrete foundations, masonry, etc. All of these add to the cost of keeping a home stable and long-lasting.
Since a conservatory provides extended space adjacent to the property, it is important that it blends in with the design aesthetic. For this main reason, tiled roofs are most found in greenhouses. Conservatories must be built at ground level and cannot exceed a floor space of 30m².
What are Conservatories Used For?
There is some overlap in what garden rooms and conservatories are used for, such as gyms or home offices; however, some applications are not suitable for conservatories.
A conservatory is just like any other room in the house with insulated brick walls and a tiled roof to keep heat out in the summer and to insulate in the winter.
What Styles are Available?
Most companies and builders offer a range of styles and designs when it comes to conservatories. Here are some examples of what we offer at TWS Door and Window Systems:
Victorian
Developed to recreate the design of old conservatories, the Victorian style works in multifaceted designs. They have a pentagonal plan and are great for those who want to turn their conservatory into a social space. These designs help you easily blend your home and garden.
Georgian
Sometimes known as Edwardian style, these greenhouses were designed to have rectangular, symmetrical floor plans. This is great if you want to use your new extension as a dining room as you can easily attach a table and chairs.
Lean-To
A smaller, more modestly styled attached conservatory has a low-pitched roof that slopes away from the house. It sits under the eaves to comply with applicable building permit laws, making it ideal for setting up a conservatory over a bungalow.
P-Shaped
A larger style of conservatory, the P-shaped conservatory combines extensions of two styles to form a "P" design. Usually this is a mix of Victorian and Georgian designs. What remains is the multifunctional living space that forms the heart of the home.
T-Shaped
Like our P-shaped conservatories, these T-shaped models are considered bespoke extensions. The centre of the conservatory sticks out above the rest, forming a "T" shape. They are designed to connect homes and gardens far better than other extension designs.
Orangery
With its brick walls and double hipped glass roof, the orangery is said to be halfway between an extension and a conservatory. They offer an extraordinary look. It also enhances the privacy of your home while allowing the space to be filled with natural light.
How Much Do Conservatories Cost?
As with garden rooms, the overall cost of a conservatory varies greatly depending on its size and the building materials used. When conservatory construction involves large amounts of glass, expensive bricks, and concrete, the costs add up quickly. Typical conservatory construction costs range from £750 to £1000 per m². About £120-150/m² for walls and finishes.
Find out more about our range of conservatories here
Categories: Blog Posts, Conservatories, Garden Rooms, Home Improvements
