If you’re seeking some extra living space in your home, a new extension might feel like the only option. However, even a single storey extension can be a disruptive and expensive project – not something to be rushed into.
Installing a conservatory can be a lot more convenient. Generally it will be a lot quicker, cheaper and less disruptive. But it’s not always the best option.
In this post we’ll help you decide whether a conservatory or extension is the best option for your home. We’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages of both to help you weigh up what would suit you best.
What Is a Conservatory?
A conservatory is defined as a room with a glass roof and glass walls that is added to the side of a house, though in practical use it’s a little more nuanced than that.
Modern conservatories don’t have to have full height windows for example, they might also be built using bricks to keep costs down while still letting in plenty of natural light. They can be a range of sizes or styles, from smaller Lean To conservatories to a larger Victorian Style conservatory.
They can even use a range of materials across their walls and frames to help match your budget.
What Is an Extension?
The term extension has more scope to it as it is built with solid walls to match the design of your existing home. It’s usually made with bricks, but can be matched with whatever material your home was made from.
Extensions can vary in size and can be more than one storey. In fact two storey extensions are very common.
They can also be added to any part of the house, including the front, which means they can be used for any type of room including a kitchen, sitting room or dining room.
What to consider when choosing between an extension or a conservatory
It’s impossible for us to say whether a conservatory or an extension is better for your home, as so many factors need to be considered. Below are some of the questions you should ask and factors you should weigh up.
The Key Differences Between a Conservatory and an Extension
| Feature | Conservatory | Extension |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Time to Build | Faster | Slower |
| Planning Permission | Often not required | Often required |
| Thermal Efficiency | Variable | High |
| Design Flexibility | Moderate | High |
| Value Added | Moderate | Higher (usually) |
Does an extension or a conservatory cost more?
As an initial outlay, conservatories tend to be cheaper than extensions. The materials needed for an extension will be more pricey, as will the labour involved. You also need to factor in additional costs such as architectural designs, planning permission and building regulations approval.
However, this initial cost can be balanced out as an extension will increase the value of your home more than a standard conservatory will.
The cost of a simple, small uPVC conservatory starts at around £10,000 but prices can go much higher – even a mid-range conservatory will cost between £20,000 – £40,000.
The cost of an extension will vary even more widely. Obviously a single storey extension will be a lot cheaper than a two storey house extension, and the square footage and chosen materials will have a significant impact. So, while the average cost for an extension is £48,000, it can range anywhere from £20,000-£120,000.
Upfront, a conservatory is almost always cheaper than an extension. But there is one more thing to consider, and that’s the value these changes would bring to your home.
Which Adds More Value to Your Home?
While a conservatory has an undeniable aesthetic appeal, adding one to your home will not bring as much value to your house price as a full extension will. Extensions have much more use potential and this makes them more valuable to house buyers.
A lot of factors contribute to the value of your home including its location, how well maintained it is, its build quality, size, available outdoor space etc. But adding an extension can make a significant increase – in fact, Nationwide Building Society believes an extension can add up to 25% to the value of your home. Of course, the exact value added will depend on the extension. But in most cases, the more value you want to add, the more you have to spend on the extension in the first place.
A conservatory will still reflect positively on your home too. An extra room flooded with natural light is still going to be a welcome addition to any home and it will still bring added living space. They are also more cost effective upfront, and can feel a lot more achievable for many people.
Do You Need Planning Permission For A Conservatory or Extension?
So many factors determine whether you require planning permission, that it’s hard to give a blanket answer.
Certain changes to your home are allowed under permitted development rights. Whether these apply will depend on the size of your extension, how tall it is and how close it would run to the boundary of your property.
Technically, a conservatory is subject to the same restrictions as an extension would be so in some cases you may need to apply. However, in most cases a conservatory is small enough to fall under permitted development, while an extension is much less likely too.
You can find out more about permitted development rights on the UK Planning Portal website.
Still can’t pick between a conservatory vs extension?
As you can see there is a lot to weigh up when picking whether a conservatory or extension is right for your home and it can be overwhelming. If you’re still struggling to decide, our expert team can help.
We can answer all your questions, show you just how versatile conservatories can be, help you make sure you get the right add-on for your home.