Nearly half (47%) of UK homeowners want extra space in their home, and both a conservatory or extension is a fantastic way to add it.
A modern well-designed conservatory adds character and brightens your home, while an extension could create light-filled open plan living space. If you’re trying to decide between the two, this guide will hopefully make your decision a little easier.
What We'll Cover:
Conservatory vs extension
A conservatory is a beautiful structure typically added to the rear of your property with glass walls and a pitched roof manufactured from energy efficient tiles or glass. It offers panoramic views into your garden so you can enjoy nature, catch some sun and create the ultimate indoor-outdoor space.
A conservatory can be used as a home office, lounge or entertaining space, and one of its big draws is the light it brings into your home. The parts are manufactured off-site and installed at your home onto a base – so the only building work would be a base, if you don’t have one already, and possibly brick walls if you’re not going for floor-to-ceiling windows.
Any additional floor space that’s added onto your home is known as an extension – although in reality, it is usually a solid structure, built on-site, usually on the back or side of your house. It could be single or two-storey and depending on the size of the project, can take around six months to complete. Large extensions may require an architect’s drawings, planning permission and a project manager to deal with different contractors.
Choosing between a conservatory and extension
When choosing between a conservatory and extension there’s a lot to consider but budget is usually a big factor. Our own research reveals that over half (55%) of UK residents would consider an extension but 60% were wary because of the high cost.
Aside from the price, you should also consider how you plan to use the space. If you want a dining area or home office, a conservatory is the perfect solution but an extension will accommodate an extra bedroom, bathroom or more kitchen space. We go into a bit more detail below.
Location
Factor in the location of your planned extension or conservatory. Where would you like the extra space? If it’s towards the back of your house, both an extension or conservatory could be suitable. If it’s the side or second storey of your home, you might opt for an extension instead.
Space
Consider your garden space too. With bigger gardens, you won’t lose much space when building a conservatory or extension at the back. But if your garden is on the smaller side, a side extension could offer additional living without losing your garden.
Think about how you will use the space too – an extension can be a huge project creating multiple rooms, whereas a conservatory is typically a single room suitable for different uses.
Our research shows how homeowners would use their additional living space:
- Office – 34%
- Gym – 26%
- Reading room – 24%
- Snug – 23%
- Dining room – 22%
- Arts and crafts – 18%
- Playroom – 15%
- Yoga room – 13%
A conservatory is suitable for all of the above, so you might not need to take on a big extension project.
Costs
Conservatories are considerably cheaper than extensions costing around £10k depending on the size, materials, style and location. An extension can set you back between £50k to £100k – but it could be considerably more if you run into unexpected costs which is common with building projects.
It’s worth considering that an extension can add value to your property if you’re planning to sell it in the future. In fact, a double bedroom with an ensuite could add 23% to your property price. On the other hand, a well-built, modern conservatory that’s fully insulated could add around 7% value to your home.
Planning permission
As long as your conservatory falls under Permitted Development rights, you don’t typically need planning permission. These are just some of the conditions it will have to meet:
- Doesn’t take up more than 50% of your garden
- Not wider than your property
- The roof can’t be higher than your home
- It has to be single storey
There might also be more considerations if you live in a conservation area. But modern conservatories are designed in a way that they tend to meet these requirements.
The same applies to an extension, if it's built within Permitted Development rights, you won’t need planning permission. Here are some cases where you will:
- Covers more than 50% of the land around your house
- Taller than your property’s roof
- You add a balcony or veranda
If you’re unsure whether you need planning permission, it’s best to get the advice of your local planning authority before starting your project. It’s worth noting that you typically do need Building Regulations approval when building an extension to ensure that it’s safe and compliant.
Time
A conservatory can be built in a few weeks designed to your specification, but an extension can take around six months to complete – potentially longer depending on the size of the project, location, labour and any unexpected delays.
Design
Both conservatories and extensions can look incredible if they are designed and installed to a high standard.
A conservatory can add character and personality to your home and comes in many styles to suit. Choose from contemporary, Edwardian, Victorian and Lean-to styles to complement the style of your property, and you can even add roof windows and coloured glass to suit your design.
An extension is typically designed to blend in with your home. It uses the same brickwork or exterior finish and if carried out well, it’s a seamless transition between the new and old space.
Key differences between a conservatory and extension
To recap, there are a few key differences between a conservatory and extension.
An extension has high upfront and labour costs which can drag out during the build, but it pays off over the long term because it can add a lot of value to your home. A quality conservatory adds value too and the initial outlay is less.
A conservatory can be built quite quickly, but an extension will take considerably longer. It’s also the more disruptive and messy option because of the ongoing building works you will need to manage.
Extensions can be used for bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens which can improve the functionality of your house and save you needing to pack up and move. A conservatory is better suited to lifestyle and hobbies like relaxing, working or dining.
You typically don’t need planning permission for your conservatory or extension if it falls under Permitted Development rights, but you will definitely need Building Regulations if you plan to build an extension. It takes up to 13 weeks to get planning permission and around eight weeks for Building Regulations approval which can extend your project timeline and costs.
Extension pros and cons
Pros
- Extra living space
- Can be used as a bedroom, kitchen or bathroom
- Seamless design with your home
- Adds value to your property
- You won’t need to move
- Can be one or two storeys
Cons
- Extensions are expensive to build
- You might run into unexpected costs
- Long project completion times
- You need Building Regulations approval
- Can be a disruptive and messy process
- If it’s not well designed, it can look out of place
- You will need to hire designers, architects or builders
- The process can be stressful
Conservatory pros and cons
Pros
- A conservatory looks beautiful
- It adds character to your home
- Increases your property value
- The design can be customised
- Light streaming into your home
- It’s cheaper than an extension
- Relatively straightforward installation
- Can get better use from your garden
- Versatile uses
Cons
- Older conservatories may face issues with temperature regulation
- It doesn’t add as much value as an extension can
- It takes up space in your garden
- If poorly designed, you could experience condensation or leaks
Conservatory vs extension
We’ve looked at conservatories vs extensions, so now it’s down to you to decide which is better suited.
If you’re on a budget, a conservatory is a fantastic way to add additional living space without breaking the bank. There is less risk of unexpected costs or disruptions so the installation process is often smoother and you can use the space in many ways.
Extensions are a good way to build extra living space, but they are expensive and take time. You will need Building Regulations approval and hire a number of skilled professionals to complete the job.
Conservatories can be customised to your design and add character which an extension can struggle with. Choose the materials, type of roof, style, windows, doors, colours and even cladding, and even get up to 20 years’ guarantee.
If you’re worried about the cons of a conservatory, there are modern solutions. You can replace the roof of an older conservatory if you’re facing temperature problems or convert it to an extension that’s energy efficient, fully insulated, modern and durable.
Can you put a solid roof on a conservatory?
Older conservatories typically have polycarbonate roofs which can deteriorate over time or glass roofs which create a greenhouse effect. This makes them more prone to condensation, leaks and wear and tear. But it’s actually quite a simple process to replace an old conservatory roof with the Equinox Conservatory Roof Replacement.
The warm roof can be installed in as little as 48 hours and it’s fitted onto all types of conservatories (following a survey) to make them energy efficient and functional all year round. You still get plenty of light to brighten your home, but the modern roof system reduces glare, adds insulation and can even help lower your energy bills.
Some of the tile options come with a 40-year guarantee and are available in a range of colours and materials.
Can I replace my conservatory with an extension
If your old conservatory isn’t functional or you’re considering replacing it with an extension, you could instead opt for a conservatory conversion which is a hassle- and mess-free construction method.
The EurXtension system replaces your existing conservatory in a matter of weeks without needing to dig messy foundations because it can be fitted on top of your existing conservatory base. The replacement is modern, energy efficient and fully insulated, and it comes complete with double glazed doors and windows.
The structurally insulated panels (SIPs) are manufactured off-site so there is less disruption and mess compared to a traditional extension. A EurXtension can also add value to your home with a price that significantly undercuts a traditional extension. Find out how you could extend your living space on a budget with a modern conservatory conversion.
