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Edwardian Conservatory: Pros & Cons, Styles, Costs
- An Edwardian conservatory can add a touch of royal elegance to your property. It requires no planning permission, even when built on a standard 600mm dwarf wall.
- The cost of a small Edwardian conservatory can vary from £9,000 to £12,000 for a fully fitted 3m x 3m structure built on dwarf walls.
- The project’s total cost will depend on various factors, such as the quality of materials, roof type, design style, whether it is bespoke, supplier and labour costs, and location.
With their classic charm, Edwardian conservatories offer a versatile addition to your property. These structures combine classic elegance with practical design, featuring a rectangular or square floor plan and a pitched roof. You can choose from various style options, including hipped-back, which is perfect for properties with height restrictions like bungalows.
The smallest Edwardian Conservatory size is 3m x 3m (16m2), ideal if you have limited space. This compact size ensures the conservatory provides a cosy and functional room without overwhelming your surroundings, adding a classic touch to your property.
Whether you envision a sunroom or a garden office, the possibilities are endless with their roofs, be it glass, polycarbonate, solid roofs, or a choice between a dwarf, solid bottom panels (infill panels) or a full-height glass wall.
According to ConservatoryLand, with expert construction and quality materials, a conservatory can stand the test of time, lasting 25 years or more, adding significant value to your property. So, a professionally built Edwardian conservatory is not just a structure; it’s a long-term investment.
This guide is your comprehensive resource, covering everything regarding Edwardian conservatories. From understanding the costs involved to exploring the various styles available and even weighing the advantages and disadvantages, this guide will help you understand what to expect.
If you want to add this classic conservatory to your property, read on confidently.
If you already have your heart set on an Edwardian Conservatory and are looking for the best prices, fill in the form below to receive an instant quote.
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- What is an Edwardian style conservatory?
- What are the advantages of an Edwardian conservatory?
- What are the disadvantages of an Edwardian conservatory?
- Types of Edwardian conservatories
- Edwardian conservatory roof styles
- How much does an Edwardian conservatory cost?
- Get free quotes to get the best deal for your Edwardian conservatory
- FAQ
What is an Edwardian style conservatory?
The Edwardian conservatory style is popular among UK homeowners who want to capture the essence of the Edwardian era in their home design. Its square or rectangular shape provides ample usable space and an elegant aesthetic. The pitched roof also provides abundant natural light and ventilation, making it a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the outdoors without leaving home.
The symmetrical design adds to its traditional charm and visual appeal. Because of its dimensions, the Edwardian-style conservatory is often favoured for functional areas like dining rooms or living rooms, as highlighted in Conservatoryweb’s article “The Edwardian Conservatory.”
There are various style options for Edwardian conservatories. Your choice depends on your available space, taste, and budget.
Let’s look at them:
Standard Edwardian
This style has a flat front, a balanced design, and a rectangular floor plan. The roof slopes back to the centre, providing extra headroom and a spacious feel, says FitterWindows. It suits modern and traditional homes and is perfect for entertaining and everyday use.
Hipped back Edwardian conservatory
The hipped back Edwardian conservatory has a roof that slopes back to the house, forming an angle with the gutter box. It aligns with the house’s existing roofline, creating a seamless look that merges smoothly with the house. This style works well for houses with a low roofline, such as single-storey extensions or bungalows, says Centurion Conservatories.
Double hipped Edwardian conservatory
This style features a roof that slopes on both sides, making it suitable for homes with height restrictions, such as a bungalow, according to Jon Chambers Windows. The flexible roof design can be easily installed in various building layouts and sizes, ensuring it fits your current property structure well.
When considering the addition of an Edwardian conservatory to your home, it’s crucial to remember the minimum dimensions that fall within permitted development for standard type:
- Width and height: Typically 3-4 metres, easily fitting a small Edwardian conservatory measuring 3m x 3m.
- Eaves height: Usually between 2.5 and 3 metres.
- Peak height: Can reach 3 to 4 metres, depending on the size of the conservatory.
Understanding the details is essential to ensuring your conservatory blends well with your home’s structure and fits within your price range per size.
Remember, you can also seek advice from a professional knowledgeable about conservatory rules and building regulations. They can help you design a structure that complements your home while meeting legal requirements and regulations.
A uPVC option can last over 25 years if constructed with high-quality materials, installed by expert fitters, and properly maintained.
This durability and its timeless style make an Edwardian conservatory an intelligent choice if you want to expand your living space and property value.
What are the advantages of an Edwardian conservatory?
Adding an Edwardian conservatory to your property can offer many advantages, making it a practical addition. The possibilities are endless, whether you intend to use it as a living room, lounge, or home office. Let’s explore why adding an Edwardian conservatory to your property is great.
Classic and flexible design: Its timeless architecture easily complements traditional and modern house styles, enhancing its visual appeal.
Expand living space: It provides extra room for relaxation or entertainment, effectively increasing your usable home area.
Natural light: Large windows maximise sunlight entry, creating a bright and inviting environment.
Increased property value: Home Improvement Hub says an Edwardian conservatory enhances your home’s marketability, potentially raising its value.
The Edwardian conservatory design is an excellent use of the available ground area, providing maximum additional space.
Its distinct pitched roof allows larger extensions than other conservatories, such as lean-to conservatories, often limited by project restrictions.
This means that starting with an Edwardian conservatory will enable you to expand your property as much as building regulations and permitted development allow, providing practical and elegant solutions for enhancing your home.
However, the design has drawbacks. Let’s now examine some of its limitations.
What are the disadvantages of an Edwardian conservatory?
Although an Edwardian conservatory makes a beautiful addition to your home, expect some potential downsides to consider before investing in one. Here, we’ll look at the drawbacks of this conservatory style.
Cost: An Edwardian conservatory can cost a lot due to high-quality materials and skilled labour. The ground preparation and any special features can also add to the cost.
For a 3.5m x 3.5m conservatory, the cost can range between £29,000 and £37,000.
However, the final price depends on several factors, and lower prices may be available.
Maintenance: Edwardian conservatories require regular cleaning and maintenance, such as washing the glass to keep it clear and checking the structure to fix any leaks or weak spots.
However, if you have the budget, you can upgrade to self-cleaning glass, saving you much time.
Glare and heat: The larger windows let in a lot of natural light, which is great but can also make the conservatory very bright and hot, especially in summer.
To deal with this, you may need blinds or special glazing that reduces glare and heat.
Temperature control: Extreme weather conditions can make maintaining comfortable temperatures in a glass conservatory challenging.
Heating costs can increase in the winter when heat escapes quickly, and in the summer, the space can get too warm without proper airflow or cooling measures.
Consider investing in energy-saving features like double-glazed glass or a better ventilation system to control temperature more efficiently.
Ultimately, the decision to add a regal conservatory to your property rests with you, despite its pros and cons.
Types of Edwardian conservatories
Edwardian conservatories come in four distinct types, each designed to suit different aesthetic and functional preferences. The dwarf wall conservatories seamlessly blend with a home’s brickwork, providing insulation and aesthetic continuity.
On the other hand, full-height glass conservatories offer abundant natural light and stunning views of the outdoors, but they tend to be more expensive than other styles.
The solid-bottom panel (Infill panels) conservatories are a great choice if you value a balance between privacy and light. They feature a solid lower wall with glazing above.
Lastly, the frames all-around conservatories offer a modern look with a uniform frame structure around all sides, which enhances the panoramic viewing experience.
When choosing an Edwardian conservatory, consider cost, durability, and how well it harmonises with your existing home structure. Let’s look at each type to help you make an informed decision.
Dwarf wall
Dwarf walls are short brick walls often used to surround the base of conservatories, porches, or garden rooms. In a traditional Edwardian conservatory, according to Spectrum Glazing, these walls typically support uPVC-framed windows, enhancing the structure’s privacy and stability while ensuring a cohesive appearance with the existing brickwork of your property.
Furthermore, dwarf walls are generally less than one metre high and do not require planning permission, making them a convenient choice for conservatory extensions.
Dwarf walls, as Durabase states, also offer added benefits such as protection against flooding and dirt, which helps maintain cleanliness and maintenance-free status in the lower glass sections.
As a natural insulator, these walls are superior to full-height glass, providing a comfortable temperature inside the conservatory throughout the year.
The design allows plenty of natural light to enter the conservatory, providing security and durability, making dwarf walls ideal for your Edwardian conservatory if you want to add a secure, light-filled conservatory.
However, adding a dwarf wall to your Edwardian conservatory will cost more and take longer to install than other types of walls. So, those are factors to consider.
Ultimately, the decision to add an Edwardian conservatory with a dwarf wall to your property is personal, based on the space available and the design you desire.
Full height glass
A full-height glass wall conservatory is a type of conservatory that provides superior insulation and an unparalleled view of the outdoors. The glass wall spans from the floor to the ceiling, measuring seven to twelve feet tall. While it is a more expensive option than dwarf wall conservatories, it is a more energy-efficient option.
Spectrum Glazing says modern Edwardian conservatories prioritise glass over classical design features like dwarf walls, and bi-folding doors are a popular choice for conservatories. Bi-folding doors collapse into a neat concertina shape to the side of the conservatory, letting in more light and linking the outer and inner spaces of the home.
Solid bottom panel (Infill Panels)
Full-height frames with a solid bottom panel, also known as lower infill panels, are an excellent choice for Edwardian conservatories because they combine style and function.
ConservatoryLand says the bottom panel allows natural light to pass while providing privacy, similar to a dwarf wall. Infill panels are a cheaper alternative to dwarf and require less construction time.
The infill panels are usually solid uPVC and offer excellent insulation, controlling the conservatory’s temperature throughout the year.
They are also durable and can withstand harsh weather, making them ideal for maintaining a comfortable environment inside the conservatory all year round.
The panels match the Edwardian conservatory’s overall look and colour scheme, creating a seamless and unified appearance. This design enhances privacy and reduces outside noise, making it a peaceful place to relax.
Edwardian conservatories with solid bottom panel full-height frames offer both practical benefits and elegant design, making them a desirable choice for enhancing your home’s look and functionality.
Frames all round
An Edwardian conservatory with frames all around can be a great addition to your home. Its elegant design and uniform frames characterise this type of conservatory on every side.
Choosing a conservatory with frames all around can provide ample natural light while giving your home exterior a touch of sophistication.
According to ConservatoryLand, having frames all around creates a unified look and allows for a wider view of your surroundings, making you feel closer to nature. This is because the frames don’t interrupt the view, and you can enjoy an unobstructed view of your garden or the surrounding landscape.
You have many options when choosing the right frame material for your conservatory. UPVC is popular for its durability, low maintenance, and energy efficiency. Aluminium frames are sleek and modern and provide excellent strength and durability. You can customise your conservatory to match your style and preferences with various frame materials, colours, and finishes.
An Edwardian conservatory with frames all around adds elegance, natural light, and unobstructed views to a home.
Edwardian conservatory roof styles
One of the most crucial decisions when constructing an Edwardian conservatory is choosing the ideal roof style. Three primary types of Edwardian conservatory roofs are available, each with unique benefits and drawbacks.
As per the blog post “Conservatory roof options–the pros and cons” by Guardian Building System, here are some advantages and disadvantages you should consider while selecting the type of roof for your Edwardian conservatory.
Glass roof
Glass roofs are a popular choice for Edwardian conservatories as they let in a lot of natural light. However, they can be expensive and may require shading solutions.
According to Everest, choosing a glass roof for your conservatory creates a bright, spacious and airy room to relax.
But before deciding, it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of having a glass roof for your Edwardian conservatory.
Here are some pros and cons to help you decide.
- Allows plenty of light to your space with expansive views
- Adds an attractive appeal to your conservatory
- Offers good insulation through modern double or triple-glazed roof options
- Overheats in the summer and can be cold in the winter
- More expensive than polycarbonate
- Uncomfortable glare from the sun
- May require shading solutions, adding to the cost
- More maintenance needs
Solid roof (Tiled)
An Edwardian conservatory with a tiled roof can provide better insulation and a classic appearance. However, this option can be more expensive and heavier than other roofing options.
Castle Conservatories highlights in their article, “Can I put a tiled roof on my conservatory?, that in recent years, there has been a growing demand for tiled conservatory roofs because of their superior thermal performance, long-lasting nature, and pleasing aesthetics.
Let’s inspect the pros and cons of opting for a tiled conservatory roof.
- These roofs offer better insulation than the other roof options
- The traditional tile look merges well with your home’s style, creating an integrated and cohesive look and feel
- Solid roof options last longer and, if properly maintained, can last up to 50 – 60 years, according to GreenOak Concept & Design’s article “How long do conservatory roofs last?”
- Heavier than other roof styles, which may require roof alterations
- More expensive than other types
- Blocks natural light
Polycarbonate roof
These roofs offer a lightweight, affordable choice that ensures proper insulation and protection.
The popularity of polycarbonate roofs stems from their lower cost and longevity of 10-20 years before needing replacement.
- The most affordable option
- Lighter and easier to install
- Transparent nature lets light in
- Easy to damage
- Poor heat regulation
- Not the most attractive
- Noisy when it rains
How much does an Edwardian conservatory cost?
Typically, a fully fitted 3m x 4m Edwardian conservatory cost could range from £11,625 – £13,125. This estimate is for structures built on dwarf walls and includes installation and VAT. The cost of a small 3m x 3m conservatory, fully fitted with uPVC frames, is between £9,000 and £12,000. It’s for the smallest size available, highlighted by ConservatoriesOranganies.
The Edwardian conservatory cost vary based on several factors, including size, materials used, and the design’s complexity. However, remember that there are other factors that influences the final cost.
Roof type: Different styles and materials can affect the price.
Labour costs: These vary by region and can impact the overall cost.
Frame material: Options from affordable uPVC to more premium materials look like wood.
Bespoke options: Custom designs requiring specifications or higher-quality materials can increase prices.
The table details the cost for a 3m x 4m Edwardian conservatory with different roof types and frame types.
Edwardian conservatory cost ranges, fully-fitted
| Materials | Polycarbonate | Glass | Tile |
|---|---|---|---|
| uPVC | £11,625 – £13,125 | £12,925 – £25,235 | £14,385 – £30,350 |
| Aluminium | £14,850 – £15,470 | £15,825 – £27,735 | £12,020 – £30,625 |
| Wood | £19,305 – £20,115 | £19,695 – £32,985 | £21,155 – £38,100 |
Whether these prices fall within your budget, remember that your conservatory price will be tailored to your preferences, style, and design choices. Consulting with a tradesperson can help you find the right design, prices, and sometimes even cost-cutting options you may have yet to consider.
Get free quotes to get the best deal for your Edwardian conservatory
With all its beauty, an Edwardian conservatory is an investment in itself. When taking on such a project, it’s wise to work with professionals who can reveal all the hidden aspects, including unforeseen fees. They may even help you cut costs and save time.
To secure the best deal for your Edwardian conservatory, compare multiple free quotes from suppliers. This comparison can help you find the most affordable options for your needs and budget range.
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Fill in the form below, and you’ll be a step closer to turning your dream of an Edwardian conservatory into a reality!
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FAQ
Rousanna is an SEO content writer at Household Quotes with a background in digital marketing and copywriting. She creates informative, well-researched home improvement content based on practical ideas to help readers make informed decisions.
- Edwardian Conservatory: Pros & Cons, Styles, Costs
- What is an Edwardian style conservatory?
- What are the advantages of an Edwardian conservatory?
- What are the disadvantages of an Edwardian conservatory?
- Types of Edwardian conservatories
- Edwardian conservatory roof styles
- How much does an Edwardian conservatory cost?
- Get free quotes to get the best deal for your Edwardian conservatory
- FAQ