Extension or Conservatory: What's Right for Your Home?

Choosing between an extension or conservatory is likely to be a key decision if you're looking to add more space to the ground floor of your home. This is particularly the case if you're hoping to create a better connection between your home and garden in the process.

Both have their pros and cons and both are a great way to increase the floor area of a house. However, which one will best fulfil your needs will depend on several factors, including what you plan on using the new additional space for, your budget (building an extension will likely cost more), the style of your house and how much extra space you are aiming for.

Here, we delve into how an extension or conservatory could transform your home and help you decide which route will most suit your needs. 

Should I Choose a Conservatory or Extension?

Before you start to look at the advantages and disadvantages of each method of adding to your living space, it is useful to first ask 'when does a conservatory become an extension?' You should also ask yourself the following questions:

• What will the space be used for?
• Where will the new space be built?
• What is your budget?
• How much disruption are you willing to live with?
• What timescales are you working to?

What Will The Space be Used For?

First things first: you need to sit down and plan exactly you want from the new space. It might be that as soon as you begin your list, it becomes clear that one option will be better than the other — for example, if you want a new bedroom in your extension, a fully-glazed conservatory will be impractical. 

Likewise, kitchen conservatories need careful planning if they are to work well — they can be beautiful additions but large expanses of glazed walls can make storage tricky in kitchen conservatory extensions. 

What is The Difference Between a Conservatory and an Extension? 

Although both conservatories and extensions are structures that add extra space to a property, there are some key differences which may make one more suitable than the other, depending on what you, as the homeowner, are hoping to achieve. 

It isn't always easy to see the difference — after all, a conservatory is, essentially, a form of extension in that it adds extra space to a property. However, conservatories do tend to have two defining features: glass walls (usually supported on dwarf walls); and a glazed (or sometimes polycarbonate) roof. 

Conservatories are often bought from specialists, as opposed to being designed by an architect or house designer. They tend to be selected from a range of designs and are frequently factory built. Providing a conservatory is under 30m², it won't need Building Regulations approval either and planning permission is often not required. 

Of course house extensions can also feature walls of glass and glazed ceilings, but they tend to be built with greater structural integrity and feature solid, insulated walls and roofs. 

A house extension is most commonly designed to be part of the existing house, with no barrier, as opposed to a conservatory which is often seen as an add-on for a specific purpose, such as sun lounge or play room. 

Conservatories and Building Regulations

Unlike extensions, in many cases conservatories will be exempt from the Building Regulations. In most cases, building regs won't apply providing:

• The new structure is built at ground level and is no more than 30m²
• The conservatory has a heating system that is separate from that in the house, with independent controls
• High quality external walls, doors or windows separate it from the main house
• All glazing and any fixed electrical installations comply with the relevant Building Regulations requirements

It is also worth noting that should you choose a solid roof conservatory, Building Regulations may apply — check with your local authority. 

Conservatory Pros and Cons vs Extensions

Conservatories have many advantages over extensions, including:

• They often won't require planning permission, given that they are unlikely to exceed the dimensions deemed acceptable under Permitted Development rights
• They won't usually require Building Regulations approval (see above)
• They will not disrupt the rest of your home while being erected
• They can be constructed in around two to three weeks
• They are generally cheaper than extensions
• They offer great views of the garden
• You will often be given a fixed price — so no nasty surprises

There are some truly amazing conservatory interior ideas out there, but it pays to be aware that there are also some cons to having a conservatory as opposed to an extension, including: 

• They can be prone to temperature fluctuations — too hot in summer, too cold in winter
• Won't always be suitable in gardens that are overlooked
• Don't add as much value as an extension
• They tend not to offer so much design potential as an extension, so may not suit all styles of house
• Not suitable for certain uses, such as an extra bedroom or bathroom
• Can be time-consuming to keep glass roof and walls looking clean all the time

Pros and Cons of Building an Extension vs a Conservatory

Although it is a little hard to cover all the pros and cons of extensions, given the range of styles, sizes and types, there are a few benefits and disadvantages that it is worth bearing in mind when making the decision between an extension or conservatory. 

Some of the advantages of building an extension include: 

• Size is only limited by budget and, possibly, planning restrictions
• May still fall under Permitted Development and don't planning permission
• Can be two storey — and pretty much any shape or form you wish
• Can be constructed and clad in a number of ways to suit your existing property
• They're robust and will likely last longer than a conservatory
• Will add value to your home
• Can be constructed to remain at a comfortable temperature all year around, with plenty of insulation
• Will allow you to remodel your existing layout
• Can be added to the front, side or rear of your home (providing the planners allow)

When it comes to the reasons not to build an extension, consider the following points:

• They tend to cost more than conservatories (although they usually result in a greater uplift in value)
• Will be more disruptive to your existing living arrangements
• They may require planning permission
• Building Regulations approval will be required
• They take longer to construct than conservatories
• Costs can easily spiral in some cases

Extension or Conservatory: How Much do they Cost?

One of the main questions you will probably be asking when choosing between an extension or conservatory is how much does an extension cost?

Although the cost of an extension will vary wildly depending on its size, location and specification, as well as what you plan on using it for, we can offer you a general idea. In addition, if you plan on replacing a conservatory with an extension, there will be some extra cost considerations.

However, as a guide, average extension projects cost approximately £1,500-£2,500/m² of internal space added. So a 20m2 extension could cost around £40,000.

As with extensions, conservatory costs will depend on several factors, with size and material usually having the biggest impact on price. Simple uPVC lean-to conservatories will cost considerably less than premium timber designs. 

The average cost of a conservatory is estimated to be between £13,000 - £20,000. However, you could be looking at as little as £6,000 for a simple uPVC lean-to style design and upwards of £40,000 for top quality and timber versions. 

You will also need to factor in skip hire, having the new opening from the house made and finished, new doors and labour.