Types of conservatory

Shopping for a conservatory can be exciting yet daunting, particularly when you consider the time and money you'll be investing. But our experts can offer guidance.

To help you create a luxurious space bridging the gap between your interior and garden, we've put together this buying guide. Here, you'll learn about the different types available and how to choose the right design (and materials) for your home.

Keep scrolling for more details on building a conservatory, including details on how to pick the right style of glass.

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Building a conservatory: key questions

• Will the conservatory mainly be used as a garden room, for growing plants, or for pets? A basic structure that can be accessed through an existing door from your home will probably suit your needs.
• Do you just want to use your conservatory on warm summer days? If so, you can probably get away with a fairly simple structure – but you'll need to think about the impact of its temperature on the rest of your home and how cold it will be in winter.
• Do you want to use your conservatory to extend your living space all year round? Think carefully about size, style, construction and interior features. Consider the cost of integrating it into your home by knocking down a wall to make an open-plan space, or have double glass doors fitted.
• Is it a 'wow' factor you're after? Orangeries can be impressive, especially if they have a lantern-shaped roof. But they are pricer, so be clear on what you want. We've got more details on orangeries further down the page.

Do you need planning permission to build a conservatory?

Conservatories generally don’t need planning permission and don’t have to comply with building regulations. But this isn’t always the case, so make sure you’re clued-up on whether you need to go down those routes.

You’ll probably need planning permission if:

• your home is in a conservation area, national park or designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
• the conservatory is not at ground level
• your home is terraced or has already been extended
• the volume of your home will be increased by more than 15%, or 70 cubic metres (whichever is greater).

If you do need planning permission, you’ll need to allow extra time (around eight weeks) and money. Remember to check whether your quote includes the cost of applying for planning permission. 

Conservatories are technically classed as 'non-habitable dwellings'. But if you want something more useable – for example, if you plan to open up the back of your home to create a large partly glazed open-plan kitchen - you’ll need to think about building regulations.

Building regulations usually do not apply if your conservatory is:

• separated from your home by an external door
• under 30sq.m in floor area
• single storey at ground floor level
• glazed in compliance with building regulations and British Standards (ask for confirmation of this from your installer)
• not within 1m of a boundary
• fitted with a roof that is at least 75% glazed and walls that are 50% glazed

If you do need to comply with building regulations, you'll need to make sure the work is checked by your local authority or a privately appointed approved inspector. Make sure you check if your installer will arrange this or whether it's your responsibility.

Issues with planning permission, building regulations and problems cropping up during construction are at risk of adding delays – and costs – to your build.

Our home improvements checklist will help you to make sure that you've done all you can to avoid any problems and stick to time and budget.

Are conservatories worth it?

Conservatories can be anything from simple glass rooms through to spectacular glazed extensions. They add room to your home, and can increase property value and maximise the amount of natural light in your space.

Choose the right conservatory and you'll be able to bridge the gap between your garden and home. Larger structures can also create space for a dining area or indoor plants.

Types of conservatory

Lean-to conservatory

At a glance The simplest type of conservatory and a good option if you're working to a smaller budget.

A lean-to conservatory is sometimes referred to as a Mediterranean or sunroom conservatory. These simple structures sit at the side of your house, with the angled roof sloping away from your home. They can function as a reading nook or a mini dining room.

This conservatory type is worth considering if you're working with limited space, as you still get additional light entering your house but aren't taking up too much garden space. Lean-to conservatories are also quicker to build compared to other types, so this might factor into your decision.

Victorian conservatory

At a glance A very popular style with a bay front, pitched roof and ornate roof ridge.

These conservatories are characterised by their classic design and typically feature a steep, pitched roof. They're larger than lean-to conservatories and should help you add a decent-sized lounging area to your home.

Victorian conservatories are versatile and suit a traditional or modern home. They tend to have an ornate roof ridge and a small brick wall that runs around the full edge of the structure.

Edwardian or Georgian conservatory

At a glance Similar to Victorian-style, but these have a flat front and rectangular shape.

These conservatories provide more than enough space for a dining room or lounge. They're usually fairly understated with minimalistic framing and feature large glass panels on all sides.

Because Edwardian and Georgian conservatories have rectangular footprints, they're effective at maximising the amount of floor space you get for your money.

Gable conservatory

At a glance Worth considering if you're looking to build a space with plenty of height.

Gable conservatories are characterised by their roof. As it doesn't slope back to the centre of the structure, but stays upright to give a feeling of height, it can make the space feel particularly grand for you and your guests.

A tall profile means your home will get plenty of natural light flooding in, too, which is good news if you're looking to brighten up your living space.

P-shape conservatory

At a glance Fairly large structures that are good for providing flexible extra living space.

A P-shape conservatory essentially combines lean-to and Victorian (or Edwardian) styles to create a 'P' shape. These extensions are better-suited to larger properties as they take up a vast area.

Thanks to its layout, you can create two areas in a P-shape conservatory – a dining room that sits alongside a lounge area, for example.

T-shape conservatory

At a glance  A conservatory with a central projection offering panoramic views of your garden.

T-shape conservatories usually extend across most of the width of your home, so they're certainly not the cheapest option if you're looking to expand. They can be a striking addition to your home, however, leading directly onto a patio.

These conservatory types are well suited to detached houses with large gardens. You can consider giving each 'wing' of the T-shape its own function.

Orangery

At a glance A spectacular structure halfway between a conservatory and an extension.

These have a more substantial structure compared with a traditional conservatory, usually with some brickwork at the base. A large footprint means you can expect plenty of natural light to flood into your home.

Because of their large size, you should expect to spend big if you're planning on using premium materials. On the plus side, you'll have no trouble dividing the room into separate spaces.

Lantern roof conservatory

At a glance Adds height and volume to flat-roofed extensions.

A glass 'lantern' roof added to a more solid roof structure is popular in orangeries and can create a feeling of space and luxury.

Lantern roof conservatories feature a two-tier roof structure that creates a focal point for visitors and draws in light as well.

Need a conservatory specialist? Use Which? Trusted Traders to find a reputable trader who has successfully passed our rigorous assessment process. 

Conservatory vs orangery: which is better?

Industry insiders we spoke to say there's been a growing trend towards more substantial conservatories. These are technically known as orangeries, although they are also sometimes called garden rooms or sun rooms.

Orangeries are halfway between a traditional conservatory and a small single-storey extension. They're also often integrated more fully with the rest of the property, sometimes with no dividing door. They can add a real wow factor to your home.

For a full explanation of the options available, see our guide on choosing an orangery. 

Choosing conservatory materials

The materials your conservatory is made from will affect not just what it looks like, but how easy it is to maintain, how warm it is and how light it is.

You need to think carefully about how your conservatory will be built, as a lot of conservatory owners note that uncomfortable temperatures are an issue. See our advice on common conservatory regrets for more details.

Conservatory walls

Some conservatories have no brick walls at all, just glass. But be warned that floor-to-ceiling glass around your new conservatory can risk making it feel like a greenhouse. It can also be too hot or cold, depending on the season. 

Adding more brickwork will make your conservatory feel more like part of your home. Many conservatories have dwarf walls below the windows and some have at least one solid wall. You'll want to consider insulating any brickwork to help regulate the temperature of your conservatory. 

Conservatory roof 

Glass roofs are most common in conservatories as they bring more light into the room. However, you don't have to have a glass roof. You could opt for tiles, which will make your conservatory feel more like an extension.

If you don't want an all-glass roof but want to make the room brighter, consider having a roof light fitted.

Conservatory glass

Glass technology has progressed over the past few years and there are now many specialist types of glass available:

• Thermally efficient glass This should stop heat escaping. You can install double-glazed panels filled with an energy efficient gas, such as argon. Other types of thermally efficient glass use a special coating to stop heat escaping. 
• Self-cleaning glass A special outer coating reacts with sunlight to break down dirt, so you shouldn't have to clean them as often as with normal glass. It's worth noting that self-cleaning glass works best with more steeply pitched roofs.
• Anti-glare, reflective or tinted glass Tinted glass can reduce the sun's glare. This can be useful in the height of summer, especially if your conservatory will be facing the sun for the majority of the day.

Window frames and doors  

Most conservatory window frames and doors are made from uPVC. This is extremely easy to maintain and doesn't rot or flake, but it can lack charm. In our survey, we found that most people (nearly nine in 10) have uPVC window frames. 

Less common options include aluminum or steel frames and wood frames. Wood will need more maintenance but is likely to add a more elegant feel to your conservatory. Aluminium or steel is stronger, so the frames can be thinner and let in more light. Metal will give your conservatory a more contemporary look.

If you're open to exploring other ways to expand your home, see our advice on how to buy the best garden room and how to plan a house extension.