CONSERVATORY BUILDING REGULATIONS

Most conservatories do not fall under the jurisdiction of the building regulations and a building regulations application will not be required if the conservatory meets the following conditions:

Is built at ground level and is less than 30 metres square in floor area.

At least 50% of the new wall and 75% of the roof is either glazed or made of a translucent material.

The conservatory is separated from the main house by an external door(s). This does not include internal quality doors.

Glazing in terms of safety glazing and any fixed electrical installations to comply with Part P of the building regulations.

You are advised not to construct conservatories where they will restrict escape access from the first floor or second-floor escape windows. If a conservatory is to be put below one of these windows a polycarbonate type access roof is recommended so that in the event of a fire a person can walk across the roof and escape. Always ask your conservatory supplier about the roof below escape windows and ensure this has been taken into account.

Any new large structural opening between the conservatory and the main house will require building regulations approval, even if the conservatory itself is exempt from the building regulations.

If a conservatory is to be open plan to the main house e.g. no separating door between the conservatory and the house, a Building Regulation application will be required. This can prove costly as the insulation requirements for the conservatory will be the same as a domestic extension. The conservatory will need to be super-insulated using treble glazed argon-filled glass and extra insulation in the floor and roof.

We would always advise that you make a simple phone call to your Local Authority Building Control before constructing any conservatory to check if a Building Regulations application is required.