What’s the Difference between a Glass Extension and a Conservatory

The question most people ask is whether to go with a glass extension or just build a conservatory.

21/11/2022

 

Building a house extension is one of the best ways to increase your living space. House extensions also add a lot of value to your premises especially if you are thinking of selling. The question most people ask is whether to go with a glass extension or just build a conservatory.

Before you make that decision, you need to, first of all, understand the difference between a conservatory and a glass extension.

 

What is a conservatory?

A conservatory is a living space that connects outdoor living and indoor living. Most people build these as extensions to their houses, usually as an afterthought. It is common to find conservatories being used the same way traditional living rooms are used. Some people will even utilize them as dining areas. Think of a conservatory as that indoor space where you can enjoy the sun while at the same time grow your vegetables and fruits any time of the year.

 

 

 

What is a glass extension?

A glass extension is a room that will provide a transition between the indoors and the outdoors of your house, but unlike a conservatory, it is made mostly of glass, so there are no wooden frames.

The purpose of this structure is quite similar to that of the conservatory, but there are differences in the way they are built and sometimes even in their utility.

 

Glass Extensions, a frameless glass extension company, uses the beauty of structural glass that blends and complements the natural home design and environment. Frameless glass structures and glass extensions are a staple of modern architecture, allowing indoor and outdoor spaces to unite with fine lines and aesthetic open spaces.

But how does a glass extension differ from a conservatory?

 

The Differences:

Even though these two have obvious similarities, there are a few distinct aspects that set them apart. Let us have a look at these differences.

• The Design

TThe designs of the two extensions are very different. glass extensions are a more aesthetic choice given that they are built using purely glass material and sit on their own walls and pillars. The result is a frameless structure that has a minimalistic design while at the same time providing an unobstructed view to the outdoors.

On the other hand, traditional conservatories are built on originally existing walls, usually part of the original house construction design. A lot of its material such as the walls and the roofing can be made of glass just like the glazed extension.

In addition, conservatories have pitched roofs made from more than 75 percent glass. On the other hand, single-storey glass extensions have less than 75 percent glass. Glass extensions have fully tiled roofs, and some have skylight windows.

 

• The building process

Conservatories require building permits because they must comply with house construction regulations. On the other hand, a glass extension does not require such permits as it is not part of the original design of the house in general. The consequence of this is that a traditional conservatory takes more time to build.

• Cost of construction

Generally speaking, there is a difference when it comes to the cost of constructing these two types of house extensions. Glass rooms have a greater aesthetic appeal, yet their architectural design is almost always more expensive than a traditional conservatory.

Costing, however, comes down to the choice of material, meaning that you can still construct a glass extension to your front porch with a little bit of saving if you opt for a few alternative materials for the walls and frames.

 

• Maintenance

It’s important to regularly maintain your glass extension and conservatory yearly. Because conservatories have more glass and hardware parts, they need more time to clean.

You need to lubricate all the handles, hinges, locks, and flashing. Clean the downpipes, drainage slots, gutters, door jambs, windows, and finials. Conservatories in shaded areas get dirtier because the water remains on the glass for longer.

Many conservatories and glass extensions have structural gutters with different designs. Inspect inside the gutters to ensure they’re free-flowing and functioning efficiently. But never attempt to do it yourself if you don’t have experience cleaning a conservatory or a glass extension for safety purposes. Hiring a cleaning expert is advisable for hard-to-reach areas.

 

Conclusion

If you’re looking to make a statement, you should consider going for the glass extension. This will give your house that wow factor because of its glamour and the ambient lighting it will add to your house. For a more functional unit at a lower cost, a conservatory will suffice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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