If you are thinking about fitting a conservatory, then first you will need to weigh up the numerous positives and negatives attached to them.
Conservatories are not a new phenomenon and have been popular for over thirty years. While you might think that their widespread popularity has made them the ‘obvious’ choice for a home improvement project, they are well-loved for a reason.
For example, conservatories can act as a budget alternative to a full-blown house extension, requiring less planning permission and potentially offering a more flexible option.
They can also add a meaningful amount of money to your property and give it a more desirable appearance.
Of course, there are a few downsides, too. Conservatories – while well-insulated from the weather outside – can be difficult to use all year round. They can also visibly clash with the rest of your house if you choose the wrong design.
Here are some of the pros and cons of fitting a conservatory:
Conservatories Can Give You Far More Living Space
One of the most compelling benefits of fitting a conservatory is that it gives you far more interior living space. If you have been hankering after a house extension for a while to increase the size of your living room for example, then a conservatory could solve your problem for far less money and hassle.
Not only does a conservatory offer you more interior space, but it provides an additional outdoor area too. While it is not strictly in the open air, you can certainly use it to eat food during a barbeque or open it up for extra space during a party.
If you want to build a Conservatory Surrey, then you will also be pleased to know that you will likely require less stringent planning permission than the equivalent extension, because it is in a different regulatory category.
You May Choose a Design That Clashes with Your House
A common drawback that deters some people from taking the plunge and fitting a conservatory is the risk of it clashing horribly with the rest of the property.
Given that many conservatories are plastic, it can be tricky to make them blend in with the aesthetic of the house – especially if the local area has a strict design code.
To get around this problem, you simply need to take care of the design of the conservatory you choose. It may be that you opt for an orangery instead, depending on your budget and interior layout.
A Conservatory Can Add Significant Value to Your Property
Another useful benefit of a conservatory is that it can add a notable amount of value to your property, which will likely outweigh the original purchasing and construction cost.
This is because conservatories are widely popular, and the addition of more interior space, coupled with the desirability of a garden room makes it likely that it will push your asking price up if you ever come to sell your house.
You May Struggle to Use Them All Year Round
While there has been a significant advancement in the insulation of conservatories in recent years, there is no getting around the fact that they are not as well-protected as bricks and mortar.
This can make them tricky to use all year round. Anyone who has tried to watch a movie in a conservatory while it’s raining or bright outside will understand the practical drawbacks of a conservatory, so bear this in mind if you want to use it for different purposes throughout the year.
