The conservatory pitfalls homeowners regret most — and how to avoid them

Adding a conservatory to your home is a significant investment, and if key details are overlooked, it can lead to costly regrets. From choosing the wrong materials to misjudging your window treatments, falling victim to conservatory pitfalls can turn what should be a seamless extension of your home into a space that’s difficult to maintain and uncomfortable to use.

Whether you're in the early stages of browsing conservatory ideas or looking to improve an existing structure, understanding common mistakes can save you time, money, and frustration down the road.

Our expert-backed guide takes you through the most common design, planning, and maintenance missteps, so you can design a conservatory that works beautifully in every season.

What are the most common conservatory pitfalls?

A well-designed conservatory should feel like a natural extension of your home, but common mistakes can make it impractical or difficult to maintain. Poor insulation, inadequate ventilation, and the wrong materials can lead to temperature issues, excessive glare, or high upkeep costs.

Avoiding these conservatory pitfalls starts with a clear plan. "Failing to consider the end purpose of the conservatory early on in the project can cause grievance down the line," explains Mervyn Montgomery, managing director of Hampton Conservatories. Thinking ahead ensures you choose the right materials, glazing, and heating solutions from the outset.

From design choices to long-term upkeep, here are the biggest conservatory pitfalls – and how to avoid them.

Mervyn Montgomery

Mervyn established Hampton Conservatories, almost 40 years ago, as a manufacturer of bespoke joinery products for the restoration and heritage sectors. Since then, he has personally overseen the expansion of his company throughout the UK, Ireland and beyond, and its development into one of the leaders in its field. 

Design Mistakes

1. Overcomplicating the design

A conservatory should complement the home’s existing architecture rather than stand out as an afterthought. “The visual design of a conservatory should be solely influenced by the property itself, with a focus on creating a cohesive design narrative,” explains Lisa Morton, director of Vale Garden Houses. “For example, you shouldn’t be choosing to put an overly large Victorian conservatory overflowing with ornate architectural detail onto a minimalist, small, and contemporary home.”

Karen Bell, sales director at David Salisbury, agrees, warns that a poorly designed conservatory could impact your property value down the line: “One of the most common design mistakes when planning a new conservatory is failing to consider how it will complement the existing architecture of the home. A poorly designed structure will look out of place and may even affect the property’s value."

Lisa Morton

Lisa is Director of Vale Garden Houses, a family run business founded over 40 years ago, know as one of the most respected and established designers and builders of glazed structures.

Karen Bell

Karen Bell, sales and marketing director at David Salisbury, has extensive experience in designing orangeries and guiding homeowners toward the best solutions for their spaces.

2. Forgetting about functionality

Focusing solely on how your conservatory looks rather than how it functions is a common mistake. While an orangery or conservatory can enhance your home, it needs to function as a comfortable, usable space all year round. Lisa Morton advises homeowners to first consider how they intend to use the space before finalising their designs. “A glazed extension designed with daily use in mind can often result in the most-used space in the home, a place where families gather to spend time together whilst enjoying the sights and sounds of the outdoors,” she explains.

Mervyn Montgomery highlights that key functional details – such as electrical placement, shading, and ventilation – are often overlooked in the early planning stages. “Neglecting these seemingly ‘end-of-process’ decisions during the early stages of the build can be costly and time-consuming to resolve,” he warns.

3. Inadequate ventilation

Overlooking ventilation can quickly turn your conservatory into an impractical and stifling space. Without proper airflow, temperatures can soar in summer, making the space uncomfortable, if not completely unusable.

"Proper ventilation is key to keeping a conservatory comfortable all year round, especially during the warmer months," explains Lisa Morton. "Incorporating ventilation into both the side frames and roof space encourages natural airflow, allowing cool air to enter at a lower level while letting warm air escape above, making a significant difference in the summer heat."

4. Choosing the wrong flooring

Your conservatory flooring plays a crucial role in how comfortable and practical the space feels, yet it’s often overlooked in the design process. With conservatories experiencing greater temperature fluctuations than other rooms, the wrong flooring choice can leave the space uncomfortably warm in summer or too cold in winter.

Some materials, like solid wood or vinyl, can warp or degrade under prolonged sun exposure. Porcelain tiles are therefore a more popular choice, as they are hard-wearing, low-maintenance, and help regulate indoor temperatures. Underfloor heating can also be a worthwhile investment, to comfortably heat your conservatory during the colder months.

Planning & building mistakes

5. Assuming planning permission isn’t required

While many conservatories fall under permitted development, this isn’t always the case. “The key issue that people often overlook is site-specific planning constraints relating to their property,” explains Lisa Morton. She recommends taking a look at the government's technical guidance document on permitted development rights for householders.

For listed properties or homes in Conservation Areas or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), conservatory planning permission is more likely to be required. Montgomery adds: “In many cases, the planning office will impose specific design constraints, such as ensuring the conservatory is sympathetic with the host property.”

Additionally, planning laws are evolving. Montgomery notes that “The government is currently debating reforms to permitted development rights. The second reading of the Permitted Development Rights (Extension) Bill took place in February 2025 and is aiming to relax the rules on rear and side extensions. Watch this space!”

6. Ignoring building regulations

Even when planning permission isn’t needed, conservatory building regulations still apply. Karen Bell warns that structural integrity, thermal efficiency, and electrical work all important factors that are often overlooked: “If the conservatory is open to the main house without separating doors, it must comply with stricter insulation standards,” she explains. Consulting a professional during the planning stage can help ensure your structure is compliant with Building Regs from the outset.

Material Choices That Can Lead to Problems

7. Choosing low-quality glazing

The quality of your glazing will directly affect how comfortable and energy-efficient your conservatory will be. “Proper glazing is vital to ensure comfortable all-year-round usage,” explains Karen Bell. Investing in options like solar-control glazing or Low-E glass is a smart way to keep your conservatory comfortable year-round.

For conservatories with large glass expanses, you may also want to consider self-cleaning coatings or UV filters help cut down on maintenance while protecting your conservatory interiors from sun damage.

8. Settling for an inadequate roof

A conservatory roof is one of the biggest factors in how well these structures maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year. Get it wrong, and the space can become practically unusable for large parts of the year.

Many homeowners opt for polycarbonate roofing because it’s lightweight and cost-effective, but it offers little in terms of conservatory roof insulation. Heat escapes quickly in colder months, while in summer, it can turn the space into a stifling greenhouse. Glass roofs with solar-control coatings provide much better thermal performance, while a tiled or hybrid roof can offer even greater insulation.

9. Ignoring structural constraints

A conservatory’s build quality is just as important as its materials. Mervyn Montgomery warns that an off-the-shelf conservatory may not account for property-specific issues like drainage, gas pipes, or existing groundworks, which can lead to unexpected conservatory costs. Instead, he recommends opting for a bespoke structure: “A bespoke team will have a greater understanding of the idiosyncrasies of the property, which need to be planned for and crucially, included in the budget,” he explains. While a bespoke conservatory might seem like a bigger investment upfront, it can save you money in the long run by swerving unexpected structural issues.

Poor maintenance can lead to costly repairs

10. Neglecting roof & gutter maintenance

A conservatory needs regular upkeep to stay in top condition, especially if it’s surrounded by trees or greenery. Leaves, moss, and dirt can quickly clog gutters and drainage channels, leading to leaks and potential damp patches. If left unchecked, excess debris can also add unnecessary weight to the structure, putting it under strain over time.

To prevent these issues, try to stick to a regular maintenance routine. Installing gutter guards will help prevent blockages, while keeping glass panels free from algae and grime will ensure your conservatory stays looking its best.

11. Failing to consider orientation & upkeep

Where your conservatory sits in relation to the sun will determine how much upkeep it needs. For example, north-facing conservatories are more prone to damp and mildew because they get less sunlight throughout the year. Meanwhile, south-facing conservatories are exposed to stronger UV rays, which can cause paint to fade and materials to wear more quickly. To combat these effects, consider UV-resistant finishes or cost-effective shading solutions, like conservatory roof blinds or window films.

12. Ignoring condensation issues

Poor ventilation can lead to condensation issues in your conservatory, which encourages damp and mould, damages furnishings, and can even warp timber framed conservatories. Without proper airflow, moisture can get trapped inside your structure, particularly in winter when the heating is on.

According to Mervyn Montgomery, ventilation is especially important if your conservatory will be used as a functional space: "Ask yourself, will the conservatory be purposed as a kitchen, and if so, what appliances will be installed and where? Is there enough ventilation to support a kitchen environment?”

Simple solutions like trickle vents, dehumidifiers, and breathable blinds all help keep air circulating and reduce the humidity levels.

If you already have a conservatory, updating or repairing a conservatory roof can often be a more cost-effective solution than starting your plans from scratch. If the roof is leaking or looking worn, simply replacing the covering could be enough to refresh your space and extend its lifespan.