Good conservatory design starts with the property itself.
The size and shape of the house, available garden space, existing windows and doors, roofline and surrounding buildings can all affect what can be achieved. A conservatory that works well on one property may be completely unsuitable for another. South Lakes Windows starts by assessing these factors and discussing what you want from the additional space. The design also needs to consider how the conservatory will connect with the existing house. A conservatory extending from a kitchen requires different planning from a separate garden sitting room. The position and width of the opening between the two spaces can affect furniture placement, movement through the room and natural light. We can then develop a design that responds to the individual property rather than relying on a fixed size or standard layout.
The shape of the conservatory has a significant effect on its appearance and the amount of usable floor space it provides.
An Edwardian style conservatory uses a square or rectangular footprint, making it a practical choice where homeowners want straightforward furniture placement and plenty of usable space. A Victorian style conservatory has a faceted front that creates its characteristic bay shape. It can work particularly well with period homes and properties where a more traditional appearance is preferred.
Gable fronted conservatories use an upright glazed gable to create greater internal height and an impressive front elevation. The large area of glass can also make the most of an attractive garden or countryside view. A lean-to conservatory uses a single sloping roof and a simple rectangular footprint. Its lower roofline can make it particularly useful for bungalows and houses where first-floor windows, gutters or eaves restrict the available height. Our role is to help homeowners understand how these different designs will work with their house rather than simply choosing a style from a catalogue.
The roof is one of the most important parts of a conservatory design because it affects appearance, natural light and thermal performance.
A glass roof conservatory provides high levels of overhead daylight and retains the open character traditionally associated with conservatories. Modern insulated roof glazing can also incorporate specialist glass to help manage solar gain. Homeowners looking for a more room-like interior may prefer a solid or tiled roof conservatory. South Lakes Windows can provide lightweight insulated systems including Ultraframe UltraRoof, which creates a solid internal ceiling with a tiled external finish.
Another option is LivinROOF, which combines insulated solid sections with selected glazed areas. This allows overhead light to be introduced where it will be most useful. Flat roof designs can incorporate an UltraSKY Lantern to create a raised glazed feature, while the UltraSKY Flat Skylight provides a lower-profile alternative.
The choice should reflect the orientation of the property; how much overhead light is wanted and how the room will be used.
Adding a conservatory changes the way daylight reaches the existing house, so natural light needs to be considered from the beginning. A conservatory positioned outside an existing kitchen or living room can move the external glazing several metres further away from the original interior. If the new roof is completely solid, this may affect daylight levels within the room behind it.
There are several ways to address this during the design process.
Roof glazing can be positioned closer to the original house, while large windows and glazed doors can increase the amount of light entering through the conservatory elevations. A lantern, skylight or hybrid roof can introduce daylight directly from above. The direction the property faces also matters. South-facing conservatories may receive strong direct sunlight, while north-facing rooms generally receive less direct sun. Trees, neighbouring properties and other buildings can create additional shade.
We consider these factors when developing the glazing and roof specification.
The position and style of the windows affect much more than the appearance of a conservatory.
Opening windows provide ventilation, while fixed windows can maximise the glazed area where an opening section is unnecessary. The layout can be planned around garden views, furniture and the direction of prevailing sunlight. Modern double glazing helps reduce heat transfer through the conservatory. Different glass specifications can also be considered according to the location and intended use of the room. Solar control glass may be useful where the conservatory receives significant direct sunlight. Acoustic glazing can be considered for properties affected by external noise, while laminated or safety glass may be required in certain positions.
Ventilation is equally important. Opening windows and doors need to provide sufficient airflow during warmer periods, particularly in conservatories with extensive glazing.
South Lakes Windows considers the roof, windows, glazing and ventilation together rather than specifying each part separately.
Doors determine how the conservatory connects with the garden, so their position should form part of the initial design. French doors provide a traditional paired opening and work well with many Victorian, Edwardian and gable fronted conservatories.
Bi-folding doors can open a substantial part of an elevation, making them useful where homeowners want a broad connection between the conservatory, patio and garden. Sliding doors provide large glazed panels without requiring space for doors to swing. Lift and slide and triple track configurations can also be considered for suitable larger openings.
The position of the doors should reflect how people will move through the room. A centrally positioned door may provide a balanced external appearance, but it is not always the best choice for the internal layout. We consider access, furniture positions and the relationship with paths, patios and garden areas before deciding where the doors should be placed.
Modern conservatory design needs to account for changing conditions throughout the year. Roof insulation, double glazing, frame construction and weather seals can help reduce heat loss during colder periods. Solar control glazing, ventilation and the proportion of glass within the roof can help manage conditions during warmer weather.
The position of the conservatory has a significant influence. A specification suitable for a shaded north-facing conservatory may not be the right choice for a large south-facing structure.
South Lakes Windows also considers how the conservatory will be heated and connected with the existing house. The aim is to develop the room as a complete space rather than concentrating solely on its appearance. This is particularly important across Cumbria, the South Lakes and North Lancashire, where conservatories need to cope with cold winters, rainfall, wind and periods of strong summer sunshine.
The design should reflect the architecture of the existing house.
Traditional properties may suit pitched roofs, glazing bars, French doors and frame colours that reflect existing windows and architectural details. Victorian, Edwardian and gable designs can all work well where a stronger period influence is appropriate. Contemporary properties may benefit from larger panes of glass, aluminium frames, sliding or bi-folding doors and simpler rooflines.
Properties in conservation areas and listed buildings require further consideration. Planning controls may influence the size, position, materials and appearance of a proposed conservatory. This is particularly relevant across areas such as Windermere, Ambleside, Kendal, Grasmere, Hawkshead, Cartmel and other parts of Cumbria and the Lake District where historic buildings and protected settings are common.
Our service does not end once the conservatory has been designed.
South Lakes Windows can manage the project from the initial survey and specification through to supply and professional installation. This means the windows, doors, roof and glazing are planned as parts of the same project. We can also discuss planning and Building Regulations considerations where they apply. Requirements vary according to the property, size of the conservatory, its construction and how it connects with the existing house. Once the specification has been agreed, the conservatory can be manufactured to suit the property and installed by our experienced team.
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We work with homeowners in towns and villages across the region, including:
Cumbria: Barrow-in-Furness, Dalton in Furness, Ulverston, Broughton-in-Furness, Penrith, Keswick, Grasmere, Ambleside, Windermere, Coniston, Hawkshead, Kendal, Natland, Staveley, Tebay, Sedbergh, Arnside, Allithwaite, Grange-over-Sands, Cartmel, Lindale, Levens, Milnthorpe, Heversham, Holme, Witherslack, Dent, Cark and Flookburgh, Newby Bridge.
Lancashire: Preston, Lancaster, Garstang, Morecambe, Heysham, Clitheroe, Ribchester, Poulton-le-Fylde.
North Yorkshire & Border Areas: Settle, Ingleton, Kirkby Lonsdale, Burton-in-Kendal, Burton in Lonsdale, Bentham.
Whether you already know the conservatory style you want or need help deciding what will work best with your property, we can help you plan the space from the first survey through to installation.
Contact South Lakes Windows Ltd to arrange a home survey and discuss your conservatory design. We can provide a no-obligation quotation based on your property, preferred style and plans for the new space.
