We have bought a house with an attached conservatory. The conservatory is about 3.5×4 m (11.5×13 feet) in size and is built onto the back of the house. It is heated and has a proper foundation, so it can be used all year round. It has a solid roof, not a glass roof. On two sides, it features floor-to-ceiling glass walls. We use the space as a dining room. Now we would like to expand the conservatory. We want to add an extension of exactly the same size next to it on one side. For this, one of the glass walls would have to be removed.
The conservatory is in excellent condition and only 8 years old. For sustainability and cost reasons, we would like to reuse the glass wall (which consists of three floor-to-ceiling fixed glass panels).
Has anyone done this before?
Which type of company should we contact, and what is the best way to proceed with the planning?
Unfortunately, we are very busy and hardly have time to do any work ourselves.
The conservatory is in excellent condition and only 8 years old. For sustainability and cost reasons, we would like to reuse the glass wall (which consists of three floor-to-ceiling fixed glass panels).
Has anyone done this before?
Which type of company should we contact, and what is the best way to proceed with the planning?
Unfortunately, we are very busy and hardly have time to do any work ourselves.
H
hanghaus202311 May 2025 11:04That sounds like a construction project that requires a building permit / planning permission.
A conservatory without a glass roof is, by definition, not a conservatory.
1. Definition of Conservatory
A conservatory is an enclosed extension to a building, a standalone structure, or an integrated construction with at least one wall surface and most of the roof surface made of translucent building materials. A conservatory is a rainproof, airtight, and windproof lightweight structure that is separated from the outside climate. The transparent vertical surfaces of a conservatory are classified in building regulations as “curtain walls” (glass façades), and the transparent roof as a “glass roof.” Conservatories can be heated if they are equipped with thermally separated walls/roof/floor in compliance with energy efficiency regulations, or they can be unheated.
A conservatory should be distinguished from a patio roof, which may have side wind protection elements but is not rainproof, airtight, or windproof.
The following do not fall under the definition of a conservatory, for example:
In my opinion, the first thing you need is an authorized building professional who can submit the building permit / planning permission application for you. They can also advise you on the next steps.
I am imagining that the extension is not included in the building plan?
Windows can be reused.
A conservatory without a glass roof is, by definition, not a conservatory.
1. Definition of Conservatory
A conservatory is an enclosed extension to a building, a standalone structure, or an integrated construction with at least one wall surface and most of the roof surface made of translucent building materials. A conservatory is a rainproof, airtight, and windproof lightweight structure that is separated from the outside climate. The transparent vertical surfaces of a conservatory are classified in building regulations as “curtain walls” (glass façades), and the transparent roof as a “glass roof.” Conservatories can be heated if they are equipped with thermally separated walls/roof/floor in compliance with energy efficiency regulations, or they can be unheated.
A conservatory should be distinguished from a patio roof, which may have side wind protection elements but is not rainproof, airtight, or windproof.
The following do not fall under the definition of a conservatory, for example:
- a generously glazed room with a completely solid roof
- greenhouses used for professional plant cultivation/production, or
- a patio roof with partial or full side wind protection made of elements that are not wind- and rainproof (e.g., all-glass installations).
In my opinion, the first thing you need is an authorized building professional who can submit the building permit / planning permission application for you. They can also advise you on the next steps.
I am imagining that the extension is not included in the building plan?
Windows can be reused.
Oh, I didn’t mention this in the opening thread: a building permit is not an issue. The floor area ratio, plot ratio, building envelope, etc. are not fully used up, and most of the neighbors in the development have built similar extensions. The extension is also shown in the development plan. So everything is properly registered.
By definition, it is probably a glazed extension rather than a sunroom. But that doesn’t really matter for the main question. We would simply like to reuse the fixed glass windows on the side where the extension will be attached.
We just don’t know who to contact. We live in a major city, so there are plenty of companies that do extensions. But do they want to install their own windows and not reuse existing ones? Does anyone have experience with this?
By definition, it is probably a glazed extension rather than a sunroom. But that doesn’t really matter for the main question. We would simply like to reuse the fixed glass windows on the side where the extension will be attached.
We just don’t know who to contact. We live in a major city, so there are plenty of companies that do extensions. But do they want to install their own windows and not reuse existing ones? Does anyone have experience with this?
H
hanghaus202311 May 2025 13:36Those who pay have the decision-making power. If you say the windows are to be reused, the contractor should follow that. If they don’t agree, they won’t get the job.
But as mentioned before, you need a building permit / planning permission for an extension. Depending on your municipality or state, the contractor you choose can also submit the application.
Otherwise, if you don’t have time, an architect can handle it. It all comes down to the cost.
But as mentioned before, you need a building permit / planning permission for an extension. Depending on your municipality or state, the contractor you choose can also submit the application.
Otherwise, if you don’t have time, an architect can handle it. It all comes down to the cost.
Have the "conservatory" extended by the same company that originally built it. Among the "majority of neighbors," there should be someone who still has the documentation (and usually the manufacturer and/or window supplier is indicated somewhere on these structures).
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ruby27 schrieb:
We just don’t know who to turn to?First of all, as has already been mentioned and as you agreed, you need an architect to guide you through the building permit / planning permission process. Also, it’s a good idea to contact the previous structural engineer for advice.Similar topics