Conservatory vs Orangery
Conservatory vs Orangery: Which Is Better?When looking to extend your home, the age-old debate is whether to go for an orangery or conservatory. The truth is, today, they are very…
Conservatories are infamous for being cold in winter and too hot in summer, meaning you can’t use it for most of the year. It is easy to get fed up with not being able to use the room and start looking into how you can change the space so you can start enjoying it. With this, you might be wondering, “Can you brick up a conservatory?”
The good news is you can indeed brick up a conservatory. This is where you remove the glass and frame and replace it with solid walls (and better insulation). It creates a more traditional extension that is an extremely versatile space.
Single Storey Extensions are experts at conservatory conversions, so we can help you work out how to convert your current conservatory into a functional space. In this blog, we discuss everything you need to know about bricking up your conservatory.
What Does Bricking Up a Conservatory Involve?
Bricking up a conservatory involves removing the glass and structure and replacing it with brick and blockwork or timber frames.
Before jumping into putting the new materials in place, the footings and foundation will need to be checked. The masonry being used to brick up the conservatory will be heavier than the glass and frame, so you will need to make sure the foundation and footings are strong enough for this.
Of course, as part of the conversion, you will need to replace the roof too! There will be a few options for you to choose from, be it a flat roof, a pitched roof and a lantern roof. The choice will allow you to create a conservatory conversion that seamlessly fits with your home’s existing structure.
The structural change will bring significant changes to the interior of the room, so once the walls and roof are up, the space will need to be plastered, and then you can decorate it however you wish.
Several steps are taken to convert your conservatory and brick it up. It isn’t a small project, but with the foundations and footing in place, you won’t have to start from scratch.
Benefits of Bricking Up a Conservatory
When asking, “Can you brick up a conservatory?” you are probably also questioning the benefits of doing it.
Aside from being able to use the space year-round, there are many pros to undertaking this project.
- Enhanced insulation leads to better energy efficiency
- Better soundproofing
- More privacy
- The room becomes versatile and functional
- Increased property value
- A more cohesive design that blends one area with the other
Converting your conservatory into a traditional extension brings many changes to the space, which enable you to take advantage of the room more than you can as it currently stands.
Things to Consider Before Starting
Of course, like with any project, there are things that you will need to consider before starting a conservatory conversion.
You don’t want to get part way through the work to realise you have a problem. So make sure you spend a bit of time running through the following so you can have a smooth project.
- Planning permission and local regulations
- How you will match the new structure with your home’s existing look
- Hiring a professional to help with structural integrity and safety compliance
- What your budget is and how each aspect will fit into that: materials, cost of labour, etc.
DIY vs. Professional Assistance
You can choose to convert your conservatory and brick it up yourself. However, the recommendation would be to get professional help.
Why? Because…
- They will ensure the conversion meets Building Regulations
- They will work to keep the process as smooth as possible
- They will check that the structure is as strong as it needs to be
Removing the glass and dismantling the frame isn’t a straightforward process, which is why it is beneficial to have a team of experts completing the work. They will make sure that everything is done safely and with a quality finish.
Alternatives to Bricking Up a Conservatory
If you are asking “Can you brick up a conservatory” it is likely that you are also looking at alternative solutions to converting your conservatory into a more usable space.
The good news is that there are alternative methods to creating a more energy-efficient space that you can use all year round.
Other options will include:
- Replacing your roof with a solid conservatory roof
- Adding insulated panels to your walls
- Replacing glazing with thermally efficient glass
- Combining partial bricking with large windows for a hybrid look
However, these might not be as thermally insulated or energy efficient as a full conversion to a traditional extension.
Brick Up Your Conservatory With Single Storey Extensions
The short answer to the frequently asked question “Can you brick up a conservatory” is yes.
By deconstructing the existing frame, removing the glass, and replacing it with a brick structure, you can convert your conservatory into a more traditional extension that is usable all year round.
The space will be better thermally insulated and more energy efficient while also cohesively fitting in with your home’s look and style both inside and out.
Professional help is always helpful because it means you can be confident that the work is going to meet Building Regulations and will be high quality.
At Single Storey Extensions, we are experts at conservatory conversions and bricking up conservatories.
Our team works efficiently, meaning your conversion will happen quickly and with minimal disruption to your daily routine. Using our modular designs, we can transform your space up to six times quicker than a traditional extension construction and at a fraction of the cost.
All our work is compliant with Building Regulations and covered by a 10-year manufacturing warranty.
With over 20 years of experience in the home improvement sector, we have seen everything, so we bring our wealth of knowledge to your project, creating the best possible outcome for you and your family.
We know that conservatory conversions aren’t the same for everyone, which is why we have several design options and various features. We put the design of your conversion into your hands so that you can produce a space that works for your specific needs and complements your home’s style and feel.
Contact us today to discuss bricking your conservatory up and converting it into a traditional extension that meets your unique needs for year-round use.
Call us on 07511 874434 or complete our online contact form, and we will get in touch.
