If you’re looking to add space and value to your home, a conservatory or extension are both great ways to do it. However, which of these home renovations is right for you will depend on your budget and how you want to use the space. 

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of conservatories or extensions.

Conservatory or Extension? Understanding the difference

A conservatory or extension are both built onto your house to increase your living space. The main differences between them are the construction materials used, the location and what you can do with them.    

Conservatory

Conservatories traditionally sit at the rear of your home and open onto the garden. With all-glass walls and rooves, they’re designed to let in lots of light and were originally used for growing plants. It’s an attractive, light, airy space that’s great for sitting and relaxing or entertaining guests.

Conservatories make good reading rooms, dining rooms, living room extensions, offices or playrooms. 

Extensions

Extensions can be built pretty much anywhere: at the rear, side and, occasionally, front of your home. The structure is typically solid brick or concrete walls and roof. With solid walls and good insulation, extensions are more versatile and suitable for year-round living than conservatories and can house anything from a living room to kitchen to bathroom or bedroom. 

Should You Choose a Conservatory or an Extension?

If you’re weighing up whether to build a conservatory or extension, the first step is to think about your budget and how you want to use the extra space. 

Pros and Cons of Conservatories 

The big advantage of a conservatory over a similar sized extension is the lower cost. Prices are calculated based on the size, style, materials and build complexity, unlike extensions which are usually charged by the square meter. The construction process also tends to be less disruptive and you’re unlikely to need planning permission or building regulations approval. 

Conservatories have come on a lot in recent years and with the right heating, blinds and ventilation they’re no longer just for warmer months. However, they can get very hot in the sun and some styles are harder and more expensive to heat than an extension. Polycarbonate rooves in particular allow a lot of heat to escape compared to tiled, glass or hybrid rooves. Also, all that glass and the lack of solid walls to attach units and appliances makes them unsuitable for bedrooms, kitchens or bathrooms. 

Conservatories have also gone out of fashion a bit these days and aren’t as popular with buyers as they used to be. Most prefer the more versatile space you get with an extension or orangery.   

Pros and Cons of Extensions

Extra bedrooms and bathrooms and a sizeable kitchen are the most desirable home renovations to add value and appeal to future buyers, and an extension allows you to have any of these. Also, a conservatory or extension add approximately the same value to your home as they cost to build, so it stands to reason you’ll get more bang for your buck with an extension. 

With solid walls providing privacy, extensions are also more suitable for building onto the side or even front of your home than conservatories. Plus, they blend in more with the original property as the construction materials and finish will be the same. And, of course, you’re not limited to the ground floor.

The cost of an extension doesn't double if you opt to build one that has two-storeys so if you’ve got the budget you could have a new kitchen downstairs and an extra bedroom or bathroom upstairs. 

Extensions are obviously darker than conservatories but you can compensate with rooflights and clever interior lighting, and still connect outdoors and indoors with sliding or patio doors onto the garden. 

The downside of extensions is that the more solid construction and additional insulation makes them a lot more expensive than conservatories. It’s also a more long-winded, complex and disruptive build with more chances of running into unforeseen issues that can delay work and run up costs. There are also more legal hoops to jump through with an extension, which almost always require building regulations approval. Also, over a certain size, you’ll need to get planning permission.