The pros and cons to owning a conservatory.

A conservatory pretty obviously provides more living space, especially useful for those who wish to remain living in the same property but find they need more room, perhaps those with children on the way or growing up.

A conservatory is often a vastly cheaper alternative to moving home into a bigger property, especially when considering the costs associated with moving. These will inevitably include legal and surveying costs, stamp duty if payable, removals and decorating along with other costs you may not have thought about. For a similar outlay, you could purchase a conservatory and add value to your existing home.

There's nothing like the natural sunlight conservatories benefit from to lift your mood.

A conservatory can bring the garden into the house especially if combined with a complementary patio area.

Cozy and relaxing, especially on a wet and windy day, the soothing sound of rain on the roof can cause small children (and adults) to fall asleep easily, great if you have a small child with sleeping difficulty.

Dining in a conservatory is fun too - natural light, great views and a wonderful ambience in the evening.

But there must be a downside you might ask.

Well, a conservatory is not the cheapest of items to buy of course. However it will normally add a similar value to your property.

Obviously a conservatory takes space at the expense of some of that in your garden. In contrast it could make that part of your garden more useful.

Once built a conservatory will need furnishing and heating, though it can help to improve the heat retaining properties where it is built of course. We'd advise carpeting rather than a vinyl or wooden floor if young children or elderly people are to use it to prevent injury by slipping.

A conservatory can be unbelievably hot in the summer and heat the adjoining room too, so a south facing wall should be avoided if possible, unless of course there is natural shade from nearby trees etc. You could though fit blinds, or invest in air conditioning.

For these reasons although the conservatory is an addition to the house space it will not be used unless you budget for the extra cash need to furnish it, heat it, cool it and make it safe for all to use.

So, is it worth while?

We think so, if you make the right decisions when you buy. Try to find a reputable firm and ask of them the questions you'll find on this website, if the company you choose to quote doesn't bring up the subject themselves.

Some companies will sell you a conservatory whatever the ambient conditions even if totally unsuitalbe; some will offer to build a conservatory with no experience of having done so and will miss that one vital point that experienced installers would know instinctively, and which could cause the conservatory to be more a nightmare than a dream.

We recommend getting quotes from at least three, reputable conservatory installers. Use the quotation request system on this website and we'll send your enquiry to three we have no hesitation in recommending.