Buying guide to conservatories

Choose from four styles in the Homebase conservatories range:

Victorian

This traditional style conservatory features a multifaceted bay end and has attractive decorative finial and roof cresting. Its shape makes it perfect as a dining room or sun lounge and you have plenty of flexibility for where you place your conservatory furniture. The Victorian model's three-sided end design also gives you more options for positioning the door. It has a 25-degree pitched roof.

Edwardian

Geometrically shaped and featuring finial and roof cresting, this conservatory makes the most of your floor area. The Edwardian offers a large, airy space ideal for entertaining or for everyday use and relaxation. You can put the door on any of the conservatory's three sides. The roof has a pitch of 25 degrees.

The Mediterranean

This conservatory suits most house styles, especially cottages or single-storey buildings with low eaves. A Mediterranean conservatory is the easiest and most cost-effective way to give your home an extra room. The double doors can be located on any of its three sides (though the smallest model comes with a single door). This conservatory's roof pitch is just five degrees.

The Pavilion

This simple, contemporary design actually suits modern and traditional homes. Its distinctive roof enhances the feeling of space, creating a light, airy environment. This conservatory has a 25-degree pitched roof.

There are just a few things to check before you buy your new room! Obviously you'll need to make sure the conservatory you've chosen fits into the space you have. And remember that structural features such as manhole covers and drainage pipes will need to be relocated, so talk to a builder about this.

Mark out the area using string and bamboo canes. Stand back and check the site is large enough. What are you planning to have in your new extra room? Make sure there's enough space for your conservatory furniture. Also bear in mind that all sizes refer to external brick dimensions. And the height of the conservatory is measured from the floor to the external roof ridge, excluding finials and cresting.

Our conservatory styles are available in four sizes:

Sizes shown in millimeters

Homebase conservatories come with panels in two heights. Our full height conservatories have glass panels extending from floor to ceiling. Our dwarf wall models need a 525mm wall to rest the structure on.

Full height: advantages

• This is the most cost-effective way to add a conservatory to your home.
• Full height conservatories give you the best view of the garden.
• They're quick to install.

Full height: disadvantages

• You don't have walls to position furniture against.
• Full height conservatories are more expensive to heat.

Dwarf wall: advantages

• They have a more permanent feel.
• Building materials can be matched to your home.
• You have walls to put furniture against.
• Dwarf wall conservatories are less expensive to heat.
• You have more options for positioning power sockets and radiators.
• You can decorate to coordinate with the existing room.

Dwarf wall: disadvantages

• You don't have walls to position furniture against.
• They take longer to install

The position of your new conservatory is very important so have a think before you decide. Conservatories off the kitchen make great dining areas or playrooms. Located next to living rooms, they're wonderful sun lounges or garden rooms. Avoid positioning a conservatory next to a rarely used room - it won't get used either!

North-facing

These conservatories catch the morning sun so make excellent breakfast rooms. You'll need effective insulation and heating if you want to use a north-facing conservatory all year round.

East-facing

Again, early morning sunshine means east-facers are great breakfast spaces.

South-facing

You'll enjoy all-day sunshine with a south-facing conservatory but they can get very hot in summer. Decent ventilation and roof blinds will help stop overheating.

West-facing

Like south-facing conservatories, west-facing ones can get hot in the summer months. But they're lovely for catching the warmth of the evening sun. Ventilation and roof blinds will help with overheating.

Peace of mind for starters! That's because all our conservatories are built to these specifications:

• 24mm double glazed units manufactured to BS EN 1279.
• Low-E argon filled units (for the Republic of Ireland only).
• Toughened safety glass to BS EN 12600 fitted as standard for improved safety.
• Two or four opening windows to ensure good air circulation and effective temperature control.
• All opening windows have an 'espagnolette' locking mechanism with key locking handles and night vents for added convenience and safety.
• Full 10-year manufacturing guarantee for complete peace of mind. All Homebase conservatories are designed and made to the highest standards by the UK's largest manufacturer.
• Manufactured from grade one virgin PVC fully certified to BS EN 12608 - 70mm multi-chamber profile incorporating aluminium reinforcing for added strength and insulation.
• Unique assembly system of pre-glazed panels allows easy installation without the need for drilling and screwing.
• To ensure maximum security all doors are fitted with the latest multi-point locking system, including shootbolts and a latched deadbolt.
• Doors have three-dimensional adjustable hinges for added security. Maximum adjustability ensures optimum operation of your door.
• The roof is manufactured from aluminium and clad with PVC profile, accredited by the BBA (an independent government-backed body). To achieve this, the roof system has been rigorously tested to ensure it confirms to the technical standards of the BBA on strength, stability, ventilation, solar heat gain, security and maintenance.
• 25-degree pitched roof on the Victorian, Edwardian and Pavilion models for better circulation and a greater sense of space. Five-degree pitch on the Mediterranean - ideal for bungalows or houses with low eaves.
• 25mm multi wall polycarbonate roof sheets as standard, cut to size to ensure precise fit (opal tint on white conservatories, bronze tint on woodgrain and white conservatories).

• Talk through your needs with the Homebase conservatory advisor.
• Before buying, double check that the conservatory you've chosen fits into the space you have. Existing features such as manhole covers and drainage pipes will need to be relocated. Talk to your builder.
• Place your order in store with the Homebase conservatory advisor. Choose a finance option if you're paying with a Homebase card.
• Our supplier will contact you within seven days of your order being placed to check all information and book a delivery date that's good for you. You'll receive your conservatory within 28 days of placing the order.
• Written confirmation of your order, fitting instructions, base plans, and information on preparing the base for your conservatory will be posted to you within seven days. This allows enough time for your base to be constructed before your conservatory is delivered.
• During the following three weeks, the supplier will call again to reconfirm the delivery date and talk through any issues or concerns you might have.
• Your conservatory will be delivered to your door on the date agreed. The delivery crew will check it off with you (or your builder if you prefer), and will place it in a suitable location.

You don't generally need planning permission to build a conservatory in England and Wales. But we recommend all UK householders check the 'permitted development' limit for their property. It's usually between 50 and 70 cubic metres, depending on where you live. It's important to bear this in mind if your home has been extended in the past, as there will be less available space for building. In any case, it's worth getting advice from your local planning office. Remember, you're the person responsible for getting planning permission if it's needed!

These are the most common reasons for needing planning permission:

• If you're building your conservatory at the front of your property and part or all of the structure will project in front of the current building line.
• Your house has already been extended and your new conservatory means that the total added area will exceed 30 square metres.
• If any part of the conservatory comes within two metres of your property's boundary and is more than four metres above ground.
• You live near or in a conservation area.
• Your home is a listed building.
• If your conservatory won't just be used for domestic reasons.

Whether you need planning permission or not, it's obviously a good idea to let neighbours know what you're doing before the project starts. Their cooperation can be useful!

Of course it's up to you whether you use a builder or not. But our conservatories' unique assembly system makes them easy to install, and an experienced DIY enthusiast could happily put one up. To make installation even simpler, all Homebase conservatories come complete. Just prepare your base in advance and your conservatory is ready to put up the day it arrives. If you do hire a builder, here are some tips to make things go smoothly:

• Take a look at the government's Quality Mark Scheme. It can help you find builders who have been independently checked.
• Your house has already been extended and your new conservatory means that the total added area will exceed 30 square metres.
• Find out how long a builder has been in business, and how much experience they have in constructing conservatories.
• Are they a member of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB)?
• Ask a builder to show you photographs of previous work and provide references. And follow up those references!
• Ask to see a builder's insurance certificates.
• Check that the builder can offer a guarantee.

Don't pay in full until the work is completed to your satisfaction. Find a builder through the FMB at www.findabuilder.co.uk*

*Homebase is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Find the answer to your query in our FAQ section below.

• Are Homebase conservatories a DIY product?
  Yes. Homebase conservatories feature a unique assembly method, and they're easy to install. For those who get a builder in, construction couldn't be easier. You get base plans at the order acknowledgement stage and about three weeks before delivery. This allows plenty of time to build the base.
• How long will delivery take?
  Once the order is taken, delivery is within 28 days. Our supplier will contact you within seven days of your order being placed to check all information, verify technical details and book a delivery date that's good for you. Written confirmation of your order, instructions and plans will be posted to you within seven days to allow time to construct the base. During the next three weeks, the supplier will call again to reconfirm the delivery date and talk through any issues or concerns you might have.
• Is there a delivery charge?
  No - delivery is free to any mainland UK location.
• How long will my conservatory take to install?
  Once the base is in, the unique assembly method means an installation time of two to three days.
• Can I vary the height of the dwarf wall?
  No. All Homebase conservatories need a 525mm dwarf wall.
• Can I position my French doors in a different place?
  Yes. The doors of all our conservatories can be put on any side of the conservatory. But with dwarf wall conservatories, you can't position doors directly on a corner.
• Are Homebase conservatories available in different colours?
  Yes, they come in either White or Rosewood on White PVC finish.
• What colour are the handles?
  On white conservatories all window and door handles are white and on rosewood on white conservatories all handles are gold effect.
• Why should I use a builder who is a member of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB)?
  The FMB promotes standards of excellence and helps its members continually improve business performance and customer service. Members are vetted before being allowed to join, and must comply with a strict code of practice. For the FMB, visit www.findabuilder.co.uk or call 020 7242 7583. *Homebase is not responsible for the content of external sites.