A conservatory will make a stylish addition to any property, but getting the position of your conservatory right is extremely important. Conservatories utilize sunlight in many ways so you should make sure you plan carefully.

And we can help you, let’s take a look at all the things you need to take into account when it comes to building a conservatory.

North, East, South or West?

North and south-facing conservatories are the two most common types of conservatory but there’s also south and west facing variants as well. It might not seem like it but the position of the conservatory can have a big impact, let’s take a look at each position in more detail.

North: North-facing conservatories get less sunlight than their southern counterparts, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It means that your conservatory will be more comfortable in the mornings and evenings and the risk of overheating is very slim. However, because there’s less heat it may start to feel too cold, especially during the winter, so if you want a north-facing conservatory make sure it’s properly insulated.

East: East-facing conservatories are similar to north-facing ones, they are great for morning use and will feel all the benefits of the rising early morning sun. But easterly winds are notoriously cold so again you’ll have to make sure your conservatory is well insulated if you want a comfortable room during the autumn and winter. But by using dwarf walls, you may be able to offset some of these issues.

West: West-facing conservatories are similar to south-facing ones but aren’t quite as hot, in the afternoon they’ll be very warm but will be cooler in the mornings. Due to the potential for higher heats levels later in the day having enough ventilation is essential with a west-facing conservatory.

South: South-facing conservatories are hot! Even in the winter, a south-facing conservatory can do a lot even with just a little sunshine. This may seem good at first glance, after all, you want a conservatory to be hot, don’t you? But it can quickly become uncomfortable so you’ll need ventilation and shading. You could have reflective glass, porch doors, air conditioning or a combination of them, just make sure you have adequate ventilation if you want to ensure maximum comfort.

What about where they are positioned?

Conservatories can be positioned at the front, back and side of a property. Each offers its own advantages and its own drawbacks as well.

The Back: A conservatory at the back of your home will give you a great view of nature, but it will cut into the back of your property so if you don’t have a large garden you might be better with a front or side conservatory.

The Front: A front conservatory isn’t an option for a lot of people due to front gardens on average being much smaller than back gardens. But if you do have a larger front garden and enough space away from the road then a front conservatory can be a creative addition to your home.

The Side: Side conservatories aren’t commonly seen because a lot of room is needed but if you have the space available to build, then they can make striking additions to your property and by using glazing you can give yourself more privacy.

All three positions are perfectly viable but remember no matter what position you want you may need to seek planning permission first. While conservatories are often considered permitted developments depending on the size and boundaries you still might need planning permission.

When you’re building your conservatory, no matter where you position it make sure it has a Metrotile conservatory roof. Our roofs use lightweight steel tiles and come with a 40-year weatherproof guarantee. For help fill out our contact form or call our team on 01249 658 514.