When you plan to renovate your home and want to maximize your space, you might be wondering whether it is better to build an extension or have a conservatory instead. Depending on how you plan to use the room and the amount of the money you want to spend, the builders at Surrey Building Projects look at the pros and cons of each to help you decide.
The Benefits of a Conservatory
Conservatories can be an aesthetically pleasing addition to your home adding between 5-7% value as well.[1] These are the advantages.
- Natural Light
- Multifunctional space
- The convenience
Lots of Natural Light
An advantage of installing a conservatory is that you can certainly benefit from the amount of natural light that the mostly glass construction can provide. This is great at allowing the room that is attached to the conservatory to also benefit from the natural light which allows the room to feel bright and spacious.
Multifunctional
Throughout the year you can use it for either a winter space or have all the doors and windows open in the summer months, leading out to the garden. With added heating facilities you could ensure you are nice and warm in the cold months but with the addition of a ceiling fan you could remain cool when the weather is hot. This allows the room to work as a multifunctional space throughout the year.
Provides More Space
If you are in need of an extra room in your home, it is easy to add on a conservatory, if your garden is big enough to create another room in your home to use.
The Cons of having a Conservatory
There are a few cons that you might want to consider as well.
- Weather conditions all year
- Lack of privacy
Temperature Control
An all glass construction without the necessary heating could prove to be very cold to use in the winter months and stiflingly hot in the summer if there is no air conditioning or fan installed. So you need to ensure you include the necessary heating and air con.
Security
If you opt for an all glass construction instead of part brick and part glass, you might feel this is a privacy issue with no blinds attached whereby your neighbours or strangers could look into this room, particularly in the evening.
The Benefits of an Extension (Addition)
If you want to increase your living space and add more value to your home then an extension is worth considering. They can add up to 23% with regard to the value of your home.[2]
- Allows you to be creative
- Can be used as any room
Design Your Own Space
A positive is that the final design and function of the room is completely down to you and what you want to create as an extension of your home. It allows you to tap into your inner creative side.
No Limits To How The Room Can Be Used
Whether it is a larger kitchen, another lounge room, a downstairs bedroom or bathroom, the added space can be used in any way you like. There are no limits.
The Cons of an Extension
There are also some important factors to consider as well when opting for the building extension.
- Planning permission (approval)
- Time consuming and disruptive
Limited with Planning Permission
There are rules you will need to adhere to with your local council (or building department) regarding what sort of extension you are planning to build. They have to be approved before you can continue with the building works, otherwise you face hefty fines.
Building Works Will Take a While
It is not going to be a quick project so you will undoubtedly face disruptions on a daily basis with the building process if you decide to continue living at home. Or you may decide to stay with a family member whilst the builders are at your home.
So Which One Should I Choose?
Ultimately the decision will be down to you. The conservatory is likely to cost you less if you are just adding on an extra room without having to tear down existing brickwork. An extension onto the house is going to be more complex to try and fit in with the existing style and brickwork of your home, but will ultimately add more value to your property.
The most important part is that you hire the expertise of a professional to help guide you through your home project.
[1] Does An Extension Add Value To Your House? | Property Road
[2] How much value does a house extension add? – Design for Me
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