If you're going to install a conservatory, choose one that will enhance your home and garden
'PVC-U (or UPVC) is the most popular frame material. It has a long life expectancy, requires little maintenance and comes in white and wood-grain options.'
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| National Trust Hardwick conservatory from Vale Garden Houses
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There are many styles of conservatory to choose from, so spend some time thinking about how you want it to look, what will suit your property and how to avoid a costly mistake. You may like the Georgian conservatory in the brochure, but it could become an eyesore if it doesn't blend in with your house and garden.
Choose a shape and style that will enhance the look of your home and try to match the construction materials and colour. Consider bringing interesting details, like bargeboards and unusually shaped windows, into the design. Crestings, finials and decorative fittings that run along the top of the conservatory roof, can also help to give a standard conservatory an individual look.
If you live in a conservation area you should check with your local authority whether you need approval. In any case, there will be restrictions on the size, design and materials you can use. If the conservatory will be located behind the house and can't be seen from the road, the council is likely to be more flexible.
If your property is a listed building, you need to get expert advice on installing a conservatory. You will need a quality bespoke design rather than an off-the-peg kit, and be able to convince the planning authorities that it won't adversely affect the appearance of the house. Without approval, you could face a fine and even be forced to take down the new structure.
Which style?
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| Finnforest decking
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Bespoke: This is a conservatory that is built to your exact needs, and is the best choice if you have an awkward space.
Combination: By combining several styles of conservatory you can create a unique design to suit your space. The P-shaped is a popular combination of lean-to and Victorian that can offer extra space without encroaching too much on the garden.
Edwardian: This is usually either square or rectangular, flat-fronted and with a three- or four-facet pitched roof.
Georgian: Like the Edwardian, this is square or rectangular but with a roof gable end that helps to maximise the amount of light within the conservatory, particularly if the gable end is south-facing.
Lean-to: Sometimes also called traditional or sun room, this is the simplest and probably most cost-effective style. It is usually rectangular with a single-pitch roof, and is ideal for fitting into a corner.
Victorian: Probably the most popular choice as the design works well with most properties. This style is known for its bay or rounded front, usually comprising either three or five facets.
Which materials?
PVC-U (or UPVC) is the most popular frame material. It has a long life expectancy, requires little maintenance, and comes in white and wood-grain options. Some companies also offer a colour-bonding option, which means you can have it almost any colour you like. Aluminium is another popular choice, with thermal breaks for enhanced heat insulation, and can be powder-coated in a wide range of colours. Wood is a good choice if you want a more natural look, and modern versions often incorporate aluminium roof cappings to reduce maintenance. You can choose to have either glazing to ground level or build a dwarf wall - usually of a material that matches your house. Some conservatories also have options of a lower panel to match the frame material.
For the roof, there are two main choices: glass and polycarbonate. Glass gives you a clear view and will let in most light but it is heavy and so not suitable for all constructions. Polycarbonate is lighter in weight and creates a softer light effect in bright sun. It is also less expensive than glass. However, it is noisier when it rains.
Design online
To get a rough idea of what a conservatory would look like installed at home, log on to
Ultraframe. Choose a property image that's closest to your own house or upload a photograph of your own, select a style of conservatory then create your own 3-D design on screen and move it around to see if it suits.
Lighting
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| B&Q Freestyle Gullwing conservatory
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When designing your conservatory, think about lighting in the early stages, so that the electrics can be incorporated at the beginning and you have enough power points. It's best to use wall lights and table lamps to light the space as spotlights will cause too much glare. If there's enough height, a chandelier looks sophisticated and sparkles at night, but beware of putting candles in the room - during the day they will melt and droop if left in strong sun and heat! Use hurricane lamps when you do want to have candles in the evening, so that the flame is protected from draughts from open windows and doors.
It's a good idea to light the garden outside the conservatory as, with all that glass, the conservatory will be illuminated too - and it's much nicer to have a view of the garden from inside at night, instead of complete darkness.
Blending into the garden
A new conservatory can often look like it's been plonked down into the garden without any consideration for the rest of the area, so try to blend it into your plot. An area of paving around the outside is the perfect place to put containers and troughs filled with plants to soften the edges of the building. It also allows you to move conservatory furniture outside on the warmest days. Hanging baskets make an attractive feature - brackets can be fixed onto wooden frames, or buy special hooks for attaching to guttering. Blend the inside and outside together by choosing similar flooring, such as limestone. Decking makes an attractive area outside the conservatory, too, and looks good if you have a wooden floor or sisal matting inside.
Prices and suppliers
Prices for conservatories range considerably from a self-build traditional model from
B&Q starting at £1,449, and the Freestyle Gullwing model from £4,066; a self-build, lean-to conservatory from
Wickes costing £3,976, and a Georgian self-build from £6,513; rising to an
Alitex Plant Conservatory priced from around £30,000. If budget is not one of your top priorities, try
Marston & Langinger or
Vale Garden Houses. For outside decking try
Finnforest Home & Lifestyle products.
*For more on conservatories, see Related Articles at the bottom of this page.
denotes Subscriber-only content | Thursday 21 August 2008 | Help | Glossary 
