Turning your conservatory into a habitable room is a great way to get more value from your conservatory and property. However, there are many factors to consider when doing so. Planning permission is one of the most important factors to consider and you must make sure that the conservatory has been built by the right materials to comply with local authorities.

Legal Matters

There are a few different laws you should consider when building a conservatory or converting a conservatory. One law is called ‘Right to light’, which is only applicable if you live very close to your neighbor and you are blocking their sunlight, or if the neighbor believes this is an issue.

Site insurance is vital as you will need an A rated insurer to cover you from start to finish and during the development of the work. This is required by law when you begin making changes to your building as home insurance providers do not cover your home if you make these changes without informing them. Be careful when choosing a construction firm and make sure they hold the correct documents before beginning work. Without the correct legal requirements, you could find yourself in a situation which could be very costly.

Making it habitable

Most conservatories are not good at keeping heat in during the winter months, and it is common to close off the conservatory during winter. But if you wish to make more use of your conservatory and convert it into a room, there will have to be some changes to the insulation. This could be additional insulated battens in the roofing, or a more permanent solution is to convert your glass or polycarbonate roof into a more solid roof. This will be a much better insulator and make the space cool in the summer as well as warmer in the winter. When making changes to windows or doors in the conservatory, you must contact your local building control department.

Design features

As well as making the conservatory habitable in the winter and summer months, it’s advisable to consider the room’s purpose and design. Depending on the room’s use, it may be necessary to fit curtains and carpet throughout to create a more homely and warm space. Plasterboard ceilings will create a more uniform look throughout your property, paired with solid roofing for privacy and insulation benefits. Consider the functionality of the room prior to making changes, so you can be sure that the new design will fit your exact requirements.

Other factors to consider

Study the costs and regulations from start to finish before beginning the process of converting your conservatory into a room. Make sure you have a checklist of things to take into consideration which could include installation of heating facilities and windows/ door changes, any changes to walls or showers/baths. You must bear in mind that listed buildings may have some protection and you would need to contact an architect for further information. Conservation areas may also become problematic.

If you decide to convert your conservatory into a room then contact Metrotile. We can provide conservatory roofs with specialist tiles which can vastly improve the insulation and be a huge step in converting your conservatory into a much more usable space, all year round.

If you would like to find out more about our conservatory services or you would like professional advice or help with an issue, feel free contact us on 01249 658514. Or if you have a question about conservatories, fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you.