For many homeowners, conservatories are a great way to add an extension to their property, without the need for planning permissions. The benefit is that you can use it for many different things such as a secondary living room, a dining room or be a part of your garden with massive bifold doors. It is a great home renovation project that can make a big difference.
There are many people who are considering a conservatory conversion rather than keeping their conservatory. Why is this? Well, most conservatories are fitted with polycarbonate roofs, which aren’t great for retaining heat, and in the summer they can become too hot. Nevertheless, there are solutions for this that everyone can do to adapt their homes.
The modern conservatory has certainly changed a lot since the first conservatory was installed so, let’s take a look at whether or not they are still worthwhile in 2026.
How Has The Modern Conservatory Changed?
The old-style conservatories had a lot of issues with the temperature, but the modern conservatory is far different to the original. Not only has science improved glazing for windows, but conservatory insulation is more common, and the overall design is far better. With the modern conservatory, you can expect;
- Double or triple glazing windows
- Better insulation to improve thermal efficiency
- Better ventilation options
- Either solid or tiled roof conservatories
- Improved durability for all weather conditions
All of these may seem like minor adjustments but actually make a big difference to a conservatory, no matter what time of year it is.
The Core Benefits of a Modern Conservatory
There are many reasons why people consider a conservatory for their home, which is why we still see a large number of them installed. So, let’s take a look at those benefits in further detail and see what people get out of them.
Offers Additional Living Areas Without Any Major Construction
The problem with upgrading your home is that it usually causes a lot of disruption to your property. That is not the case when it comes to a conservatory. The extra space that it provides with very little interference to your everyday lives is what makes it so good. This space can be transformed into a home office, a dining room or even a children’s playroom. There is so much to offer when it comes to the conservatory. Furthermore, the actual installation of your conservatory is far quicker than a typical home extension.
Provides More Natural Light
Another reason why people consider conservatories is because of the natural light. The whole purpose of them is so you can enjoy the natural light and embrace the environment in your back garden. Not to mention that both natural light and Mother Nature can be a great benefit to your well-being. Plus, the natural light can make a room feel much larger than it actually is, which completely transforms how you use it.
Easily Blends Indoor and Outdoor Living
Another reason why people are considering conservatories is to seamlessly blend the outdoor world with indoor life. It is becoming far more common for people to combine the outdoors with indoor living spaces.
A great addition to your conservatory can be bi-fold doors or French doors. This means you can have uninterrupted views of your stunning back garden, perfect for when the sun is shining, and you want that natural breeze in your home.
More Energy Efficient
If you looked at a thermal image of a house built in the 90s with a conservatory compared to a modern home with a conservatory, you’d notice a massive difference in terms of the heat loss. This is because we have better insulation and glazing for the windows.
One of the main issues with a conservatory, especially in the UK, is that it is difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature all year round. Summer would be too warm, and winter would be too cold so you couldn’t enjoy many days in the conservatory.
Increases Property Value
Another benefit to a conservatory is that it can help to increase property values. If the conservatory is more modern, it can be great for adding more value to the property. That being said, if the conservatory isn’t very energy efficient, it might not add any value at all. It can be an easy method to increase the value of your home.
A Space That Can Be Adapted
One of the great benefits of the conservatory is that it can be utilised in many different ways. This is why so many have a conservatory installed, because it can be used for that extra space. It can be a home office, playroom, an extra living room, garden room, dining room and much more.
Issues of a Conservatory
There are a couple of issues with a conservatory, which is why many people avoid them. For example, we previously discussed the issues of old conservatories and how they lost a lot of heat. However, there are other factors which people may avoid.
Large Upfront Investment
Just like many home upgrades, the initial cost can be quite a lot, which is what puts people off. That being said, the return on investment can be much greater if fitted with conservatory insulation and double/triple glazed windows.
Planning and Design Considerations
Depending on the size and design of the conservatory, planning permissions may be required however, if they are less than the requirements (Max 3m deep for semi-detached or terraced homes, and 4m deep for detached homes), then planning permissions are not required. Other requirements are needed, so it is important that this is checked before having a conservatory installed.
Summary
There are many reasons why you should consider a conservatory for your home, especially when it comes to increasing the value of your property. That being said, it can be very useful for adding an extra room if needed. As mentioned before, it can be great for a games room, dining room or just a children’s play area.