Garden Room vs. Conservatory: Which One Should You Choose?

If you are considering ways to expand your home, the two most popular options that often come up are a garden room or a conservatory. Both offer extra space, enhance your connection to the outdoors, and can even increase your property value. But how do you decide which is right for you? In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between garden rooms and conservatories to help you make the best choice for your needs.

What is a Garden Room?

A garden room is a standalone structure built in your garden, separated from your house. It can be designed for year-round use, thanks to insulation and proper heating. Garden rooms are versatile and can serve many purposes, such as home offices, gyms, studios, or even guest rooms.

One of the biggest advantages of a garden room is its flexibility. You can design it however you like, and it usually doesn’t require planning permission, making it easier to install than extensions or conservatories. Plus, because it’s separate from your home, it provides more privacy.

Benefits of Garden Rooms:

  • Insulated for year-round use.
  • Customisable for various purposes.
  • Typically falls under permitted development (no planning permission needed).
  • Private space separate from the main house.

What is a Conservatory?

A conservatory is an extension of your home, usually attached to your property. It’s made mostly of glass, including the walls and roof, letting in lots of natural light. Although the modern trend is to opt for a lightweight tiled roof. Conservatories are great for enjoying your garden in any weather, while still being inside.

However, because they have so much glass, conservatories can get quite hot in summer and very cold in winter, unless you add insulation or opt for more expensive energy-efficient glass or a tiled roof.

Benefits of Conservatories:

  • Floods your home with natural light.
  • Seamlessly connects your indoor and outdoor spaces.
  • Can increase aesthetic appeal and property value.
  • Great for growing indoor plants.

Garden Room vs. Conservatory: Cost Comparison

Obviously, cost is a big factor for most of us. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay for each option.

Initial Build Costs:

  • Garden Room: Prices typically start at around £10,000 for a basic build and can go up to £30,000 or more, depending on the size, materials, and whether you want extra features like electrics and heating.
  • Conservatory: Conservatories usually start at around £15,000 but can go up to £40,000 or more, especially if you choose high-quality materials like underfloor heating, specialised glass or a tiled roof.

Maintenance Costs:

  • Garden Room: Once built, garden rooms require minimal maintenance. You might need to treat or repaint the wood occasionally, but that’s about it.
  • Conservatory: Conservatories require more upkeep. You’ll need to clean the glass regularly and might face higher heating or cooling costs due to the large amount of glass.

Energy Efficiency:

  • Garden Room: Because garden rooms are insulated, they will be more energy efficient. This means lower heating costs, especially in winter.
  • Conservatory: Conservatories tend to lose heat through their glass walls, which means they may require additional heating in the winter and cooling in the summer, leading to higher energy bills.

Functionality: What Do You Want to Use It For?

What you actually want the extra space for might play a part when deciding between a garden room or a conservatory.

Garden Room Uses:

Garden rooms are incredibly versatile. You can use them as home offices, gyms, art studios, or even extra bedrooms for guests. Since they’re fully insulated, they are comfortable all year. A garden room is also ideal if you need a quiet, private space away from your main home

Conservatory Uses:

Conservatories are mostly used as bright, sunny spaces to relax or entertain. They make great dining rooms, lounges, or even plant rooms. However, because they’re made of glass, they can be too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter, unless you invest in a tiled insulated roof which will regulate the temperature better.

Here’s a quick comparison of common uses:

UseGarden RoomConservatory
Home officeIdeal for year-round workLimited in extreme weather
GymGreat for privacy and noiseCan be uncomfortable in summer
Relaxation spaceCozy and privateExcellent for enjoying sunlight
Entertaining guestsSpacious and flexibleBright, but best in mild weather
Garden Room Vs Conservatory Uses

Planning Permission and Regulations in the UK

If you need planning permission for your garden room or conservatory depends on several factors, but most garden rooms fall under “permitted development,” which clears a headache and simplifies the process.

Garden Room Planning Permission:

For most garden rooms, planning permission isn’t needed as long as you follow a few basic rules. Your garden room must:

  • Be a single-storey building.
  • Not exceed 2.5 metres in height at the eaves.
  • Not cover more than 50% of your garden.
  • And not be used as a permanent living space.

However, if your property is a listed building or within a conservation area, stricter rules may apply (which I’m sure you will already know), so it’s always worth checking with your local council.

Conservatory Planning Permission:

Conservatories also often don’t need planning permission if they meet certain conditions. These include:

  • The conservatory doesn’t extend beyond the rear wall of your home by more than 4 metres (for a detached house) or 3 metres (for other houses).
  • The conservatory is no taller than 4 metres.
  • It doesn’t cover more than half of the garden.

If your conservatory exceeds these limits or is being added to a listed building, you’ll need to apply for planning permission. Again, it’s best to consult your local council.

picture of a conservatory split in half with one side having tiled roof and the other side a glass roof

Durability: Which Option Lasts Longer?

You will be spending a lot of money whichever you choose, so which is more durable? Both garden rooms and conservatories can last a long time with basic upkeep, but each has its own considerations.

Garden Room Durability:

A well-built garden room can last for decades, especially if you choose high-quality materials and maintain it properly. It’s insulated and designed to handle our terrible year round weather. Minimal maintenance is needed beyond occasional wood treatment or repainting.

Conservatory Durability:

Conservatories, particularly those made with uPVC or timber, are also built to last, but their glass elements may need replacing over time. Additionally, extreme temperatures can cause wear and tear on the materials, so investing in high quality double glazing can help extend the life of your conservatory.


Property Value: Which Option Adds More Value?

The great news is both garden rooms and conservatories add significant value to your home. But the impact depends on how they are used and presented to potential buyers, so opting for less unique uses and spaces will appeal to a wider audience.

Garden Rooms:

A garden room can add significant value to your home, especially if it’s marketed as a home office, guest room, or studio. With many of us now working from home or hybrid working having a separate workspace can be a big selling point for potential buyers. Typically it can increase your property value by 5-10%.

Conservatories:

Conservatories also increase home value, especially when they’re built to be in keeping with the style of the rest of your house. However, buyers might be wary of issues like heating and cooling costs, which could reduce its appeal slightly compared to an insulated garden room. You can negate some of these issues with your roof choice. Typically it can increase your property value by 5-7%.


Conclusion: Which Is the Right Choice for You?

When deciding between a garden room and a conservatory, consider your main needs. Why do you want the additional space? Is it for limited use or are you wanting a room that will be used daily?

If you want a space that can be used 24/7 but offers more privacy I would suggest a garden room being the best option. Alternatively, if you enjoy lots of natural light and want that seamless connection between your home and garden a conservatory likely ticks the box.

Ultimately, both options have their benefits, and the decision will come down to how you plan to use the space, your budget, and whether you prefer the privacy of a garden room or the open feel of a conservatory.

If you’re still unsure, it might be helpful to speak with a garden room or conservatory specialist to get personalised advice based on your home and needs. Equally each company will offer different solutions, ideas and costs for your project so shop around!