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With the ability of orangeries to create additional space in your home as well as altering the appearance of your property completely, it’s very likely you’ll require a planning permission to construct an orangery. However, with the lengthy and complicated application process, you might want to consider the few exemptions before getting started.

If you’re considering to build an home extension such as an orangery, the obvious first step would be to consider whether or not you’ll need planning permission. And while you tend to get carried away in the thought of adding new beautiful living space, you should never forget to take into account your area’s planning regulation as well as the planning process realities. However, the application process is not one of the most exciting activities any homeowner would like to pass through and even more so when they live in a conservation area or possess a listed property that can even make the process a lot more challenging.

It’s recommended that you consult your plans and ideas with a professional such as an architect, building design company or a chartered surveyor, but there are some options you can put into consideration if you want to avoid the applying for a planning permission.

If you’re sure about not wanting to apply for a planning permission, you’d have to check your area to identify the possible local planning implications and determine whether or not your home has permitted development right which allows for some building works that can be made without the need to apply for a planning permission. To do this, simply check the government’s planning portal to determine whether your project is covered by the permitted development rights or applying for a planning permission would be required. What’s more? You need to determine if your building is listed especially if you live in a period property. For listed building, it can be much more difficult to get a planning permission as you must comply with some very specific regulations.

Adding a lean to conservatory to your home or property comes with a whole lot of benefits. It provides you with the much needed additional living space within your property, add value to your home and creates a link between your home and garden. As advantageous as it is, one of the major concerns several homeowners have is whether or not is requires a planning permission. This is a crucial question that must be answered before you make financial commitment to the project. If you don’t know what you’re doing the entire process can be very tedious and you definitely do not want to go through the stress of completing your remarkable new conservatory, only to be instructed to have it removed again. In this post, we’re going to consider if obtaining a planning permission is required before adding a lean to conservatory to your property.

Generally, adding a lean to conservatory to a property is considered to be a “Permitted Development, which implies that you won’t have to apply for a planning permission to complete the project without any risk of interruption from the appropriate authorities. However, there certain circumstance that’ll require a planning permission. These circumstances include:

• If the conservatory covers more than 50 percent of the land around the main house.
• If the conservatory will be placed on the side of the house that faces the road.
• If the conservatory will be higher than the highest point of the main building’s roof.
• If the main building is lower than the height of the eaves and ridge.
• If the conservatory will be constructed to the side of the house and more than a single storey or it goes higher than 4 metres.
• If the conservatory will be wider than the width of the main building, if it’s to be built beside it.
• If the conservatory will be constructed at the rear and higher than 4 metres.

Do You Need A Building Reg For A Conservatory?

If you’re planning to build a conservatory in your home, it’s only logical to consider whether or not you require a building reg for such a structure. Generally, several conservatories, summer buildings, sheds as well as outbuildings do not require building regulation approval to erect. One of the applicable rules is the fact that if they’re ( small or less than 30m2) or constructed with non combustible material, or are differentiated from structures nearby or land and don’t feature sleeping accommodation or room, then they’re not required to submit a building regulations approval application. However, it’s strongly recommended to check with your local authority before you commence the project as only they can provide the most accurate information.

Generally, conservatories should be primarily built of translucent walls and roofs, while also possessing an external type door separating them from the main building within a property. What’s more? The foundations and floors, however, can be laid in a number of ways, but you’ll have to put into consideration the conditions of the ground, trees as well as the existing drains. It’s also a wise decision to include insulation which makes the structure a lot easier to heat especially during the cold months.

Overall, conservatories are usually exempt from building regulations if the following conditions are met:

✓ If the conservatory is erected at ground level and are not up to 30 square metres in floor area.

✓ If the structure is separated from the rest of the house with an external quality walls, windows or doors

✓ If the conservatory features an independent heating system with different temperature as well as on/off controls

✓ If the glazing and electrical installations are in total compliancewith the relevant regulatory requirements.

When you build a new wood-constructed conservatory, or any type of conservatory, you’ll need to dig a trench for the footings. You’ll need to dig to a minimum depth of 600mm and at least 300mm below your property’s damp proof course. When you dig down, you might expose obstacles such as underground pipes.

If this happens, you’ll need lintels for your wood-constructed conservatory. These are usually concrete and protect the pipes or obstructions from being crushed. You may also want to use steel mesh for additional support.

Building Regulations state that if an opening is formed in a wall, the structure above the opening needs to be supported. This will be especially relevant if you’re building a wooden lean-to conservatory. It says that there are two ways that you can use lintels to provide support.

The first way involves using a steel lintel to support both the inner and outer leaf of a cavity wall. It can then serve as a cavity tray that directs moisture from the cavity through the outer skin of the wall as well.

The second way to use lintels is to use two steel or concrete lintels. They support each leaf of a cavity wall construction. You’ll need separate thermal insulation and a cavity tray as well.

Whatever type of lintel you use, it should have a suitable bearing onto the wall at each side. If you’re not sure, speak to the manufacturer of your wood-constructed conservatory, or ask a reputable company to install it for you.

How Long Do UPVC Conservation Last?

UPVC conservatories are common features on residences across the UK for a good reason. Not only do they give you the extra living space you so much desire within your home or property, but they also go a long way to add value to your property. So if you’re also thinking about constructing a UPVC conservation within your home, you’re probably not alone! One of the several benefits of the structure is also its longevity, however this is dependent on a number of factors. Let’s take a closer look!

Modern UPVC windows will normally last between 20 to 25 years, however some are able to last much longer provided they’re properly maintained and top quality materials are used. And thanks to improvements in colour technology, the finish on UPVC tends to last much longer too.

Some of the factors that can go a long way to determine the longevity of your UPVC conservation includes the type of roofing materials used, how well it’s being maintained, the location or placement of the structure, replacement of individual conservatory parts, as well as insulation.

The type of roofing material for a UPVC conservation can either be glass, polycarbonate or tiles. The glass and polycarbonate roofs usually lasts for a minimum of 20 years when it’s properly installed and provided with the necessary upkeep. Meanwhile, tiled UPVC conservation roof are generally expected to last up to 50 years which is significantly longer than the counterparts - glass and polycarbonate. Interestingly, they require little to no maintenance and are also very unlikely to get damaged during the upkeep.

It’s also very important to make use of a reliable and reputable company to have your UPVC conservatory installed. This is because your structure can only be as good as the company responsible for its installation. So if you require a structures that will last for decades, you should pay great attention to the company you’ll hire.

There are several reasons why an aluminium conservatory installation is a great way to expand your home.

Firstly, it’s strong and durable. This means that as well as providing you with a conservatory that’s more secure, this frame material will also last longer and cope with harsher weathering that wooden or uPVC conservatories.

Aluminium also offers more design possibilities. It can be bent into custom shapes, making it ideal if you want to create a unique, stylish home extension. It comes in a wide range of colours, so you can coordinate it with your existing property.

An aluminium conservatory installation can also help you maximise light in your home. They have very thin frames compared to wood and uPVC, so they’re a great choice if you want to let in as much daylight as possible.

Is It Worth Replacing My Conservatory Roof?

Your conservatory is a very useful part of your home that can be incorporated for many different purposes. Whether you just wish to take advantage of the extra living space to sit and unwind or share memorable moments with your family and friends, the conservatory is always on hand to provide the perfect venue. Therefore, regardless of how you choose to use the structure, it’ll always be an important part of your home. It also features important rooms in your home such as kitchens and bedrooms, making it crucial to make them usable all year round. A common complaint of several homeowners is that their conservatory are usually unusable during the hot days in the summer months and the cold days in the winter months. These common problems can be solved with a single solution - a tiled roof. This type of roof can keep your conservatory insulated and super comfortable all year round. Below are some of benefits you get to derive from replacing your conservatory roof.

✓ It helps maintain temperature. Regular conservatory roofs are built with a material known as polycarbonate. This material is only able to deliver a small amount of insulation which is why your home feels super uncomfortable whenever the weather isn’t favourable. This can be replaced with tiled roofs which are known to be have super high levels of insulation that make your conservatory usable all throughout the year.

✓ It gives your conservatory the converted interior appearance. If you’re bored with the look and original design of your conservatory or perhaps you simply want it to look more like a part of your home. You can also consider replacing your conservatory roof which can give it the converted interior appearance.

✓ It makes for a quieter and more peaceful space in your home. With too much noise everywhere, installing a tiled roof can go a long way to keep the noise out.

Lean-to conservatories are often known as Mediterranean conservatories or sunrooms and are a great way to add more living space when you’ve only got a small amount of room to work with. They usually have clean lines, a rectangular shape and attach to the side or rear of your home, which makes them one of the easiest conservatory types to build yourself.

So how do you build a wooden lean-to conservatory? The first step is to decide what you want it to look like. Most lean-to conservatories are constructed of glass and the wood frame, but you can choose to have dwarf walls too. Dwarf walls are low brick walls that are useful if you’re planning to plumb in radiators, have air conditioning installed or put plug sockets in the conservatory.

When you’ve decided what your wooden lean-to conservatory is going to look like, you’ll need to get the materials. You’ll need to choose a hardy wood – oak is the most expensive but also the most durable – and source glass for the windows. You’ll also need to decide on a roof material and work out the correct pitch.

The first step to building your wooden lean-to conservatory is to dig the foundations. You’ll then need to level the earth, then add concrete to the correct height, which should be lower than your property’s existing damp course. Then, you’ll build up to the damp course, which will be your conservatory’s floor level. Don’t forget to make sure it’s even.

If you’re building a dwarf wall, start it from the base and build up to no more than 1 metre high. Once the cement is dry, place external sills on top of the dwarf wall. You’ll then need to secure the frames; start with the one that secures to your property, then do the same for the rest, connecting outwards until they meet from the two sides. Then put up your doors.

Now it’s time to build the roof. This should be simple if you’ve bought your own custom-made kit. Place the roof ridge on top of the frames, then add the roof rafters between the roof ridge and hip bars. Fit your glazing sheets and guttering – it’s important that your wooden conservatory roof has guttering just like your house, otherwise your conservatory roof won’t last very long and could even cause rainwater to rot your wooden frames.

Once you’ve built your wooden lean-to conservatory, all that’s left is to decide on how you want to decorate it. But if this all sounds like too much, get in touch with specialist wooden conservatory installers who will be able to give you a quote for building you a lean-to conservatory.