Newlite has been designing, installing and refurbishing conservatories for over 25 years. In this section, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about having a new conservatory in your home. We offer free help and advice, so if you’ve any questions about conservatories, orangeries or any other glass roof product, please get in touch and we will be happy to help you.
What is best? A conservatory, an Orangery or an extension?
Your choice of whether to have a conservatory, an orangery or a built extension will largely be governed by budget and what role the new construction will have in the home. The most popular uses for a conservatory extension is a larger living space, dining area or simply an extra useable room.
A conservatory tends to be the cheaper option compared to an orangery. A full extension will be the more expensive option. Conservatories will feature a glass or polycarbonate roof and can be constructed from aluminium, PVCu or timber.
Orangeries differ in having brick corners, a lantern style roof as well as other decorative features.
The fully built extension becomes a more permanent part of your home but offers the most flexibility in design, size and long-term performance. Extensions are the more expensive option but also the most energy efficient. An extension will need to comply with Building Regulations, whereas a conservatory doesn’t usually need to comply.
Whatever you choose, the modern materials and glass used in conservatories, orangeries and glazed extensions, mean a more comfortable all-year-round room. Our advice is to talk to us and let us explain costs, what’s involved and the best solution for your home and your budget.
How long does a conservatory take to build?
The lead time on a new conservatory depends on many different factors such as the material, the colour, the size and the design.
At Newlite, every conservatory we design is bespoke, with bespoke conservatories always being better than DIY conservatories.
If you choose a PVCu conservatory in a standard white or woodgrain colour with a range of windows and doors, you are likely to get this quicker than a bespoke aluminium model in a special colour.
Typically the lead time for a new conservatory is between 8-12 weeks, but we will always provide you with an installation and build schedule when we discuss your requirements. This lead time allows for the base work and footings to be built, the windows, doors and roof to be manufactured and your glass or solid roof to be made-to-order.
At the end of your installation, we will provide you with your guarantee and help you understand how the windows, doors and other accessories work.
Are conservatories too hot and too cold?
Despite the popularity of conservatories, one thing many homeowners are concerned about are temperature levels and whether the conservatory will be too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer.
One of the reasons for the inconsistent temperature levels in a conservatory is the amount of glass or polycarbonate. The sunlight on hot days can make a conservatory unbearably hot in the summer with heat loss making it cold in the winter.
The good news is that modern materials, as well as a combination of materials, can give you the best of both worlds. You can enjoy a useable room all year round as well as having the natural light coming from the conservatory roof.
At Newlite we offer the latest generation glass, solid roof panels as well as a combination of both glass and a solid roof. Your conservatory benefits from exceptional thermal performance when you need it and stays cool in the summer. The glass panels give you all the natural light that floods into a conservatory, combined with a solid roof option giving you insulation and a more comfortable room all year round.
Are conservatories secure?
There is no reason why a properly constructed conservatory, fitted with any type of window or door should not be secure.
Conservatory roof glass is very hard to remove as is the glass in the conservatory walls, with quality windows featuring internal glazing beads and security glazing features built into the window and door design.
At Newlite, we use the same high security windows and doors in our conservatories, orangeries and glazed extensions that we use in our regular windows. It is worth remembering that Building Regulations often require a door between the conservatory and the main house so that adds an extra layer of security as well.
There are several standard features you get with a conservatory from Newlite.
- Certified security on our windows and doors such as Secured by Design or PAS 24.
- Security door cylinders with anti-pick, anti-drill, bump prevention and other features.
- Multi-point locking in windows and doors.
- Robust door hinges and door furniture.
There are also ways you can improve the security of your conservatory such as replacing the toughened glass with laminated glass.
Do conservatories come under FENSA or CERTASS?
FENSA or CERTASS certification is only required for conservatories that fall under Building Regulations and need to comply with them.
Contact us and we can give you more information about Building Regulations and other considerations when building a new conservatory, orangery or glazed extension. You can also find out more about the differences between FENSA and CERTASS certification.
How does a conservatory affect my buildings insurance?
Home insurance policies vary and we recommend you check with your Home Insurance provider in case they have any specific clauses relating to a new conservatory, orangery or glazed extension.
In our experience, once we complete your new aluminium, PVCu or timber conservatory, it is part of your overall building and should be covered by your home and buildings insurance.
How much does a conservatory cost?
One of the most popular marketing messages around having a new conservatory is the monetary value it adds to your home. While it is true that an extra room and a conservatory can add value, it is worth checking with your local estate agent to ascertain how it could affect the value of your home.
In recent years the trend has been to improve the home rather than move house. The growth in home extensions has created a new market for orangeries, latest generation Skyrooms, fully built extensions with bifold or sliding doors and low-cost conservatories.
It is possible to enjoy a new conservatory in your home even if you are on a lower budget and looking to save money. At Newlite we have helped local homeowners add value, space and light to their homes with our quality range of conservatories.
The cost of a new conservatory will depend upon the materials used, the style of windows and doors, glass specification and, of course, the size of the structure. Every conservatory is bespoke, there is no one size fits all product, so it is hard to provide guide prices. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quotation.
Can I replace my existing conservatory roof?
With so many conservatories fitted in the UK over the last 20 years, changed in material technology and thermal performance, some older conservatories are dated and under-performing compared to their modern counterparts.
If you purchased an early-generation conservatory or have purchased a house with an old style conservatory, the good news is you can substantially improve it and bring it up to current standards.
At Newlite we offer a range of replacement roof glass, solid roof panels and windows and doors designed to bring new life to an old, tired or dated conservatory. Our range of solid conservatory roofs feature the latest aluminium panels with high-specification insulation to instantly make your conservatory better insulated and more comfortable. We can even provide these modern roof panels with a replica tile design.
The advantage of refurbishing your existing conservatory rather than replacing it is lower cost as well as being able to once again enjoy an old conservatory. Contact us today to find out how you can upgrade your existing polycarbonate or glass units with either a solid conservatory roof or new thermally efficient, solar control glass.
How long will a conservatory last?
At Newlite, we have been installing conservatories in the local area for over 25 years. How long a conservatory will last will depend on many factors such as the materials used, the quality of the glass units and of course, the overall quality of the build.
Typically you can expect a conservatory to last for decades and enjoy between 10 to 15 years guarantee on the glass, components, frames and installation. A well looked after conservatory should give you many years of enjoyment and reliable service.
Do you need planning permission for a new conservatory?
In the majority of cases, planning permission for a conservatory is not required. Our advice is to talk to your local authority in case there are any planning constraints in your local area. At Newlite, we can help you with the planning process taking away much of the work from you.
Situations where planning permission is not normally required includes:
- The conservatory falls within height limits, typically four metres.
- Your conservatory is a 'standard' design with no complex features such as balconies or raised areas.
- The new structure is not more than 50% of the existing dwelling.
- The new conservatory does not exceed the highest part of the existing roof.
- The new structure does not cause any public obstruction.
If you would like more information about planning considerations for a new conservatory, or what to consider before you choose a conservatory or orangery, contact us today.