Most Popular Types of Conservatory
While you may be considering having a conservatory built onto your house it is important that you consider all of the available options and factors before deciding which conservatory is right for your home.
Perhaps you have a certain layout in mind but are unsure of the type of conservatory that could house this. Also, do you have the space for the conservatory you would like and is the design in keeping with your home? Here we look at some of the most popular styles to help you decide which conservatory design is right for you.
Victorian
One of the truly classic conservatory designs, this may well be most people’s perception of the standard conservatory. This is mostly because these are so popular. As one of the older conservatory designs, Victorian conservatories are popular due to their classic look and panoramic view.
Available in 3 and 5 facet builds, Victorian conservatories commonly have rounded dimensions in a shape similar to half a fifty pence piece. Large windows and a sharp angled roof finish off a style that rarely looks out of place.
Edwardian
Another extremely popular design is the Edwardian or ‘Georgian’ conservatory. This has a far more conservative design compared to the common Victorian conservatory. Unlike the curved shape of the Victorian, the Edwardian conservatory is built more in keeping with the conventional house shape.
As such Edwardian conservatories are suitable for almost any conventional home with a more cuboid design and a variety of alternative roof designs available.
P Shape, T Shape and B Shape
If the area you have available for your conservatory is less conservative, then you may be interested in considering a more unique or custom arrangement. P, T and B Shape conservatories refer to a birds-eye view of the shape of the conservatory. I.e. T Shape conservatories consist of a wide section parallel to the houses wall with a long section that intersects the other at right angles.
If you have the space available then you might find that one of these conservatories may suit your home. With a range of roof and window styles available, these can often be the grandest and most dramatic looking conservatories.
Lean To
If the area available for your conservatory is slightly more limited or awkward in shape then the best or possibly only option may be to go for a Lean To Conservatory. This is by no means a downgrade, as Lean To conservatories can be beautifully laid out and always make the maximum use of the space available.
Similar in physical shape to an Edwardian conservatory the main quality of a Lean To is its angled roof that slopes down from the wall of the main building to the conservatories front wall.
Design Amendments
Once you’ve chosen your ideal conservatory type be it P shape, B shape or other you’ll want to consider the additional options available to really make it your conservatory.
Roof Shape
Roof Shape can make all the difference to your conservatories appearance and there are a variety of options available. Of course some conservatories are more limited in the roof designs available. Victorian conservatories for instance and quite limited due to their curved shape.
The standard arched roof is very common due to its clean look and ability to fit with any conservatory type. However, domed conservatory roofs are becoming extremely popular due to the spacious feel that they give to conservatories. Exactly as it sounds, domed roofs offer a rounded almost panoramic layout that is perfect for staring at the sky at night or bringing in light during the day.
Hipback conservatory roofs have a straight line design that converges from each wall up to a central point or bar. This pinnacle based design gives the conservatory a look of greater grandeur than most other designs.
Finally, the Gullwing design inclines similarly to the Hipback but all converging at the supporting house wall. This design is perfect for covering larger areas and therefore larger conservatories and gets its name due to the wing-like appearance of the roof as a whole.
Masonry
One final point to consider is the walls of your conservatory. Some can be built with floor to ceiling windows that gives exceptional brightness but to some can feel very like being on display.
A very popular design addition is to have the windows built onto a low stone wall. This stone can be chosen to fit with the masonry of your home and often makes the conservatory fit in better. It also creates a more solid and private appearance to your conservatory.
Whatever design you end up choosing for your conservatory, make sure that you go through all possible options and designs with your supplier. They will be able to assess your situation and make recommendations as well as assisting you with any required planning permissions.
Gordon Sumner is a designer of classic and alternative conservatories. The range of options available for so many conservatories keeps his job interesting.