Choose the right conservatory

Adding a conservatory is a great way to extend your property and add extra functional living space, but with a wide variety of styles, types and materials available, which conservatory is the best choice to fulfill your needs?

Verandah living
Ultraframe’s lean-to conservatory is designed to blur the boundary between house and garden by incorporating a covered open area. Available in six colourways, the aluminium frame is fitted with energy-efficient glazing. The roof can have built-in tracks for fabric shades. It measures 4.5x3m and the verandah is 1.35m. It costs around £25,000, including installation.

Innovative space
Apropos’ reverse lean-to creates a feeling of space and height, which is ideal for small or single-storey homes. Its low-e glazing provides a U-value of 1.54W/m²K, while its polyester powder-coated aluminium frame can be finished in one of eight colourways, or have a bespoke finish. This slate grey conservatory measures 3.4x2.1m and costs from £25,000, including installation.

Eco custom-built kit
This Oakmasters oak frame design is fashioned from sustainable timber. Individually manufactured, it’s delivered in kit form, giving you the option to arrange the building works, or you can book Oakmasters’ installation service. The frame measures 3.8x6m and costs from £12,000.

Family-friendly choice
This bespoke timber and brick orangery by Westbury, complete with a classic lantern roof and useful wall space, makes a large family room. The sustainable timber frame can be painted in one of 24 colourways and is fitted with 24mm argon-filled double-glazed units to provide a U-value of 1.4W/m²K. It measures 5.8x6.7m and costs £45,000, including installation.

Bespoke structure
A custom-made conservatory gives you the option to create any size and style. A lean-to, or rectangular structure, is one of the most versatile shapes and, as shown here, it can be given added style with a space-enhancing breakfront and Gothic windows. This 6.5x5.5m timber frame by Vale Garden Houses, which is available in 24 colourways and fitted with low-e glazing, costs from £28,000, including installation (excluding VAT).

Elegant design
This Anglian Home Improvements custom-built Victorian-style conservatory can be fitted with the latest handmade stained, leaded or etched glass and your choice of traditional cresting and finials. The glazing carries the Energy Saving Recommended logo and the uPVC frame comes in six colourways, including golden oak, as shown here. The entire structure measures 3x3m and costs from £12,000 and installation is included in the price.

FEATURE PAULA WOODS
All prices and stockists correct at time of publishing
Featured in the July 2011 issue of Real Homes