Conservatory FAQs

Below are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about choosing, designing and planning a conservatory.

 If you cannot find an answer to your question please contact us.

• Can I use my conservatory all year round?
• Do we need Planning Permission or Building Regulation Approvals?
• Do we need to install Insulating Double Glazing Units (IGU's). and if so, which ones?
• Do you make conservatories to order?
• How soon can we have our conservatory?
• My builder has already constructed my base - what's the next step?
• The neighbours are not friendly, how can we protect our privacy?
• We've got an odd shaped space/an unusual wall/a sloping garden - can we still have a conservatory?
• What style of conservatory can an Ultraframe roofing system produce?

 Can I use my conservatory all year round?

Modern conservatories, with insulated bases and cavity walls which feature double-glazed units and a thermally efficient roof, can indeed be used all year round. The prudent use of relevant heating technology will also help. Comfort levels can be further enhanced with the use of Ultraframe Conservaglass. This is a revolutionary new type of glazing that is specially developed to keep conservatories warm in Winter, by retaining heat, and cool in Summer by excluding solar radiation.

Do we need Planning Permission or Building Regulation Approvals?

Planning Permission
Under new regulations that came into effect from 1 October 2008 adding a conservatory to your home is considered to be permitted development, not needing an application for planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

• No more than half the area of land around the "original house"* would be covered by additions or other buildings.
• No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.
• No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
• Maximum depth of a single-storey rear extension of three metres for an attached house and four metres for a detached house.
• Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres.
• Maximum depth of a rear extension of more than one storey of three metres including ground floor.
• Maximum eaves height of an extension within two metres of the boundary of three metres.
• Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house.
• Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width no more than half that of the original house.
• Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match existing house.
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
• On designated land* no permitted development for rear extensions of more than one storey; no cladding of the exterior; no side extensions.

• The term "original house" means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.

• Designated land includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

Building Regulations
Building regulations will generally apply if you want to build an extension to your home. However, conservatories are normally exempt when they meet a number of conditions.

• They are built at ground level and are less than 30 square metres in floor area
• At least half of the new wall and three quarters of the roof is either glazed or translucent material
• The conservatory is separated from the house by external quality door(s).
• Glazing and any fixed electrical installations comply with the applicable building regulations requirements

You are advised not to construct conservatories where they will restrict ladder access to windows serving rooms in roof or loft conversions, particularly if any of the windows are intended to help escape or rescue if there is a fire.

Any new structural opening between the conservatory and the existing house will require building regulations approval, even if the conservatory itself is an exempt structure.

Please note that requirements in Scotland, and to a lesser extent, Northern Ireland are different to those in England and Wales.

We suggest that you contact your knowledgeable 'Ultra Installer Scheme' member or your local authority. Alternatively click here to visit the Planning Portal - The Planning Portal is the UK Government's online planning and building regulations resource for England and Wales. 

Do we need to install Insulating Double Glazing Units (IGU's). and if so, which ones?

On April 1st 2002, the Government introduced Part L, amending the Building Regulations for the first time, to require replacement windows & doors to meet tough new thermal performance standards. The new standard applies when new doors replace an existing window or you change the doors between the house and the conservatory, but not when you keep the existing lockable French doors or patio doors between house and conservatory.

Ultraframe Conservaglass offers a better combination of warmth in winter and reduction in summertime solar heat gain than standard "low e" sealed units.

Do you make conservatories to order?

Yes - every one of our conservatories is made to measure and can be personalised with a host of accessories and design features both inside and out.

How soon can we have our conservatory?

The average turnaround is 6 to 10 working weeks from receiving the order in writing (depending on the weather or if planning permission is required). However, you need to be aware that at busier times of year the process can take longer.

My builder has already constructed my base - what's the next step?

Contact an Ultra Installer who will check that the base is square and level and undertake the design and manufacture of your side frames and conservatory roof.

The neighbours are not friendly, how can we protect our privacy?

Conservatories can be made private by the thoughtful use of obscure glass, solid panels at the side, blinds or even a solid wall on one side.

We've got an odd shaped space/an unusual wall/a sloping garden - can we still have a conservatory?

Contact your 'Ultra Installer Scheme' member and they will be able to help. By using a system as flexible as the Ultraframe roofing system there's always a solution and chances are they'll come up with several alternatives.

What style of conservatory can an Ultraframe roofing system produce?

Since all conservatories are made to order, you can have anything that's physically achievable. A chat with a specialist conservatory designer, via your 'Ultra Installer Scheme' member, will open up possibilities you may never even have dreamed of.