There are five main types of conservatories that you see attached to British homes. They are known as:
- Edwardian
- Victorian
- P or T Shaped
- Lean-to
- Gable End
Each of them have similar features, such as lots of windows. They are all designed slightly differently though and suit different kinds of houses. Which conservatory is right for your home depends on a few factors but is mostly down the style or shape of your house.
Let’s look at these five types of conservatories in a bit more detail.
Edwardian Conservatory
This style is popular because it is rectangular so has a lot of floor space. They also look modern and suit most styles of property. Edwardian styles come with a pitched glazed roof which goes up to a point.
Victorian Conservatory
Victorian conservatories have a rounded exterior, like a bay window, which adds character whilst still having a good amount of floor space. They also come with a pitched glazed roof which can be a bit steeper and grander than an Edwardian style roof.
P or T Shaped Conservatories
These classic designs are in the shapes best suited to maximise the space of your property. A T-shaped room often spans the width of the house with a small area in the middle extending a bit further into the garden. A P shaped conservatory has a wider part of the room at one end of the rectangle which is great for splitting the room up into a multi-purpose area.
Lean-to Conservatories
A Lean-to sounds small but this design is a modern and elegant way to add space to your home. Lean-to conservatories have a roof that goes up to the wall of the house as one slope, rather than being pitched. These are perfect when you do not have a great deal of space for an extra room so a pitched roof would be too big. They can be large though, and sometimes this means a lean-to roof is more subtle than a pitched roof.
Gable End Conservatory
A Gable End conservatory has a large, grand roof of glazed glass that looks out to the front of the conservatory and slopes down either side from the middle. They give the feeling of a lot of space and light and are suited to modern and period properties.
How to choose the right conservatory for you
If you are thinking of getting a conservatory then here are some planning tips on how to choose the right one for you.
What is the style of your house? If you own a Victorian property then a Victorian or Gable End conservatory is the obvious choice. A more modern build would look great with a Lean-to or Edwardian style conservatory.
Think about what you want to use the space for. Will it be a playroom, sunroom, dining room or office? Thinking about the use will help you choose the best spot to put it. For example, if it’s going to be a dining room then it will be best placed near the kitchen.
If you have a large space, you may have several options on where to build the conservatory. Think about your garden, do you have a pond near the house you can’t move? Or do you have a particularly nice view from a certain window you would like the conservatory to also have?
If your property has different walls you could put the conservatory on, think about which direction they are facing. South, West and East facing all get more sun than North facing conservatories.
A conservatory could add between 5%-15% on to your home but it’s not always a guarantee. If you are thinking about getting a conservatory to add value to your house price, there are some factors to consider. Speak to a local estate agent and find out what the ceiling price for homes in your area is. Find out if houses with conservatories typically sell for more than homes without one?
You will also want to think about whether adding a conservatory will lose too much garden space and therefore be less attractive to buyers. Considering the style of your home and the style of conservatory is important because the wrong look will be unappealing to buyers. The same if the materials used in the building are not high enough in quality. Always make sure you choose a trusted and quality conservatory builder such as G&L Windows.
