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Are you looking to expand your living space, but wondering whether you’ll need building regulations for a conservatory? It’s a common question, which we’ll explore below.

Building regulations are the minimum standards for the construction or alterations to buildings. This differs from planning permission, and your extension project may require both.

Read on to find out more information about building regulations for conservatories.

Reviewed and updated in January 2023.

In this guide, we cover:

Do you need building regulations for a conservatory?

Building regulations will apply if you’re adding an extension to your home. Obtaining building work approval from your local authority building control team ensures that the project complies with safety standards and regulations.

Typically, a conservatory is not subject to building regulations approval provided that it meets certain requirements. Let’s look at some of these requirements below.

Conservatory building regulations guidelines

A glazed conservatory is typically exempt from building regulations if it meets several conditions, including:

  • It’s built at ground level with a floor area of no more than 30 square metres.
  • A minimum of 50% of the new wall and 75% of the roof is glazed or uses translucent material.
  • External walls or windows separate the conservatory from the house.
  • The glazing and any fixed electrical installations meet the requirements of the applicable building regulations (more on this later).
  • The heating system is independent of your home with separate temperature and on/off controls.

If you’re unsure whether your conservatory requires building regulations approval, give us a call. Our team is on hand to help and offer advice on conservatory building regulations.

Looking to add a porch to your home? This type of building work would be subject to the same building regulations as conservatories.

If your project needs building regulations approval, you can apply for this through any local planning authority.

When do conservatory building regulations apply?

When creating a new structural opening between a conservatory and the rest of your home, you will need building regulation approval. 

It’s also important to note that conservatories shouldn’t restrict ladder access to windows in roofs or loft conversions, especially if any of the windows will be used as a fire escape.

For more information about building regulations for your conservatory, contact your local planning authority.

Energy, electrical and glazing building regulations

Building regulations ensure that extensions are efficient. This means that your conservatory must comply with a number of energy, electrical and glazing regulations, including:

  • The level of glazing in the roof, windows and doors of the original home cannot exceed 25% of the floor area of both the original home and the conservatory combined. You must provide your local authority building control team with these calculations.
  • The level of glazing in the windows, doors and roof of the conservatory cannot exceed 25% of the floor area of the conservatory. You must provide your local authority with these calculations.
  • Doors and windows must adhere to current U Values.
  • Glazing in doors and windows must be strengthened, or laminated safety glass to meet British Standard 6206. 

What are the new rules for conservatories?

Additional Approved Documents to building regulations, Part F and Part O, went into effect in June 2022 as part of an effort to reduce emissions. The new rules aim to reduce overheating in homes by limiting solar gains and removing excess heat.

The regulations state that new conservatories larger than 30 square metres may need ventilation systems installed including background ventilators to windows, or purge ventilation to remove excess heat such as a window or door openings or a mechanical extract ventilation system.

Conservatories with a floor area of less than 30 square metres are exempt from Part F regulations. For more information, see the guidance provided on GOV.UK.

Do you need to replace your existing conservatory because of the new rules?

The new rules, Part F and Part O, took effect in England on 15th June 2022. These additional requirements do not apply to work subject to a building notice, full plans application or initial notice submitted before that date provided the work for each building is started before 15 June 2023.

All building work taking place after this date must comply with the new requirements.

Can you install a conservatory on a new build property?

You can add a conservatory without obtaining building regulations approval on a new build property if you meet certain conditions, including demonstrating that it will not generate unwanted solar gains in the summer. This could be achieved by installing energy-efficient solar control glazing and ventilation systems such as roof vents and plenty of windows and doors.

For more information, see the guidelines provided on Planning Portal.

Disclaimer

Please note that the information on this page was correct at the time of publishing and is subject to change in line with legislation.

The information we have provided is not legal advice. It is given as a guide only, based on the information outlined at planningportal.co.uk.

We advise that you seek guidance from your local authority before you undertake any work.