another awful conservatory. What would you do?

3 years ago

Hello all. We have a 70s bungalow which has an 80s carbuncle added. It’s a timber hexagon shaped conservatory and we need to do something about it as it’s leaking and also fairly unusable most of the year. We could renovate it ourselves, put a tiles roof on, paint it in the same colour we’ve painted the windows (anthracite) but it’s always going to be the wrong shape. We could replace it but would mean we have to delay renovating the bedrooms in the house. I just wonder if anyone has successfully modernised one of these eyesores.

What would you do with it? It’s on the south side of our house and it’s an awkward, stepped area. I have included an aerial photo of the house before the conservatory was added. We were thinking of making the raised beds smaller to give us more room for a patio- the crazy paving is in a bad state. All suggestions very gratefully received!

Featured Answer

E D

3 years ago

Do you need it?

If you can loose that space you’d gain garden space and, if you make it attractive, a lovely view.

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Comments (21)

Ellie
3 years ago
It looks like it's taking space that would be just wasted space anyway....I mean it looks like you have plenty garden so don't desperately need the patio?

I guess the reason it's unusable is because of the leak? I am in Scotland and we can use our white pvc conservatory easily 6 months of the year so surely you are getting at least that.
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Alison Oliver
Original Author
3 years ago
We like the idea of having another space we can use as otherwise the house is just one big living space. But we also like the idea of getting rid of it and having a covered outdoor area there. It’s just whether we’re throwing good money after bad if we put the effort into renovating it really. Although we have flooring left over from the lounge that we could put down...so I’m guessing we could do a decent job for a few hundred pounds and a bit of effort. I think we feel in a bit of a dilemma because we want to do some hard landscaping down the side there and if we decide to knock it down in the near future then we’ll will potentially spoil what we have already done.
macbroom
3 years ago
I have the same hexagon sunroom add-on that looks like it was done in the ‘80s. I had its windows replaced to match the rest of the house and had the dodgy floor levelled and walls repaired. I am looking forward to actually using it now as it’s one of the brightest rooms. With yours, I would address the leaking first and then see if you’re inclined to use the room once it’s in working order. I think if you replaced the flower beds with something smaller such as a smaller flower bed in the corner it would give you more space as it looks like a tight squeeze where the raised bed meets the window. Also, addressing the crazy paving would make the space more welcoming. You have a lovely view with all the trees.
Alison Oliver
Original Author
3 years ago
Ellie- the leak is not too bad as it only leaks with very heavy rain and wind. It’s the temp that’s probably the biggest issue. Plus it smells a bit musty and isn’t a particularly nice place to sit!
Alison Oliver
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Macboom. Yes, I think it was a bit shoe horned so I understand why they went with that shape. It’s not clear on the aerial shot but the trees are actually over the road from us and we have a road running past the house. It’s not very busy but often loud because of farm traffic- the bit round the side of the house is really the only place to sit that isn’t too noisy and more private.
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
I had one the same and somebody used the glazed bit, the bricks were recycled and the base hid a lot of very good hardcore which was then used to make a good patio. I miss using it to dry washing and chill beer in the Winter but other than that a good decision.
annabellaamy
3 years ago
Take it down.....make your garden beautiful and give yourself a lovely patio.

By the time you've put a roof on, new windows and new floor & decorating you probably have bought yourself a new conservatory.
macbroom
3 years ago
Since it’s not too noisy and is private, I would keep it as it’s always good to have a peaceful room to escape to! Just make it a nice space to sit in and you will probably be glad to keep it. The musty smell could be damp or just because it’s not used too often. I had an awful musty smell permeating the house, which turned out to be damp in the walls so I got a damp proof course and insulated the walls, which worked.
sksj1
3 years ago
I suspect you will always hate it, so if it’s unused save your cash, knock it down, work out how you want to use your garden during the summer and then make a decision. A year or too delay is nothing if it’s a forever house. Good luck.
lspendl 828
3 years ago
We considered removing ours but quickly decided to upgrade instead. For us, we didn’t need the extra everyday living space that an extension would offer and the conservatory didn’t compromise the garden as that is fairly large. On top of all of that it is my favourite place to hang out with a cuppa and a book. 😀
keiblem
3 years ago
You said it in your first sentence. An 80’s carbuncle. If you spend any money on it you would indeed be throwing good money after bad. I vote get rid of it.
rinked
3 years ago
By reading your post I can only wonder why you're looking for reasons to keep it? Sounds like you hate it. And personally I wouldn't want to fix a carbuncle. Nice spot for a covered yet open patio, not a conservatory.
Alison Oliver
Original Author
3 years ago
Rinked- I think because we have so many other things to spend our money on with this house. 😭It’s been pretty much a full refurb down- everything stripped back to bare bones. I think I’m looking for a cheap and easy solution really 😂. I think it’s worth spending the money on getting it replace but my husband would rather live with it and put any money we have left over from the renovation towards the mortgage (he’s the sensible one).
Alison Oliver
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks everyone. I think I’m going to try to ignore it this summer and do some other outdoor jobs instead (a whole wall needs rendered) and then see how we feel about it next year and how much money we have left after doing the bedrooms!
Alison Oliver
Original Author
3 years ago
Islendl- what did you do for your upgrade? Is it in the same footprint as your old conservatory etc?
christineacy
3 years ago
Hello Alison. You could put it on a auction site, get some money for it to help replace it. A Lovely south side, a sunny spot so how about a pergola with trailing plants and roses, vines, some grape vines, apple tree and or plums with a patio, solar lights and BBQ area?
lspendl 828
3 years ago
Hi Alison, we kept the same footprint and replaced the frames/windows/roof - went from polycarbonate roof to energy efficient glass and had a pelmet with down lighters added. It’s definitely helped enormously with the huge temperature extremes that we used to experience and it’s lovely to sit and look up at the sky. Haven’t experienced high summer yet but I’m sure that I’ll be out buying some roof blinds at some point.
I had two threads on here, one about the outside, one about the inside decor if you want to have a read.
Good luck with your decision. L
Alison Oliver
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Islendl. I’ve just had a look at yours. I love how you’ve decorated it- looks fantastic. What a difference the colour makes to your conservatory too- so much more contemporary. Definitely food for thought.

Christineacy- that idea sounds so lovely too, thank you.
kazzh
3 years ago
Whilst your thinking over retaining or demolish, did I notice correctly that the doors to outside are facing the hedge/shrubbery? If that is the case then maybe part of why your are debating over retaining it is because it doesn't make the whole space easily accessible. The direction of travel is to exit and go around. If you decide to retain , maybe adding a set of doors to the patio side would help to make the other area more accessible and therfor the room may gain more function for you as an entry to the garden space.
Alison Oliver
Original Author
3 years ago
Kazzh- thanks. Yes, the doors exit to a hedge and I think if we are to redo the conservatory we would think about making it square with a bifold door opening to the other side.

another awful conservatory. What would you do?

E D

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