Conservatory to Sunroom Conversion

martinn123

Hi Folks,

You might be aware of the propensity of Co's offering to convert your Conservatory to a Sunroom.
Typically this involves taking off the roof, putting on Aluminium Rafters, marine ply on top, and covered in an Aluminium sheeting, shaped to look like a tile.
Some minimum insulation inside, and plasterboard, and a skim for ceiling, usually with a couple of Velux's and there you go.

The original dwarf walls remain, plus the original windows, doors etc.

So my question is this, in certain circumstances ( under 25SqM) a Conservatory is exempt from Building Regulations,
see here page 22,
http://www.environ.ie/en/Legislation/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,1636,en.pdf

Now there is no definition of a Conservatory, as far as I know, however in converting to a Sunroom, is the entire structure now subject to the Reg's or just the New Roof, and if just the roof, how does this need to be constructed.
Remember it needs to be light-weight as the windows and doors may not be reinforced, and previously were merely supporting the Conservatory roof.

Are there implications in leaving the existing walls in place, given that they may not comply with reg's in their construction, poor or no insulation.
The Windows if say 10/15 yrs old, will have poor quality glass, with U values possibly in excess of 2.9 or higher, similarly the floor, may not be insulated.

These Conversions are marketed at the '' Too hot in Summer, Too Cold in Winter'' poorly designed Conservatories, and are sold as a solution to the above.

Your thoughts please.

BryanF

Morning Martin,
I suggest they should comply with the min part L 2011:

"For existing dwellings, the requirements of L1 shall be met by: -
(a) limiting heat loss and, where appropriate, maximising heat gain through the fabric of the building".........

"the replacement of external doors, windows, or rooflights in an existing building. The average U-value of replacement units should not exceed the value of 1.6 W/m2K set out in Table 5. In this context, the repair or renewal of parts of individual elements, e.g. window glass, window casement sash, door leaf, should be considered as repair and not replacement".......p25

table 5 :
Pitched roof - Insulation at ceiling: 0.16
- Insulation on slop: 0.25

Flat roof: 0.25
....p26
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,27316,en.pdf

Mellor

If the regs apply they only apply to the new work not the existing windows.

However, whether it not they apply depends on the definition of a conservatory verses a sunroom. There's an arguement to be made that a sunroom is a subset of conservatory, ie a conservatory with a tile/slate/sheet roof.

martinn123

Mellor wrote: »

If the regs apply they only apply to the new work not the existing windows.

However, whether it not they apply depends on the definition of a conservatory verses a sunroom. There's an arguement to be made that a sunroom is a subset of conservatory, ie a conservatory with a tile/slate/sheet roof.

Thanks for that, I am not aware of any definitions of a Conservatory, in any Reg's

However if constructed from new, a Sunroom I presume, having a solid roof would be considered as an extention, or addition, and subject to the Building Reg's.

Anyway, if the reg's apply to the '' new roof'' in a conversion, would the method I described above, come close.
There is a well known Co mentioned in a thread here a few weeks ago with a film on YouTube, showing what's involved
thanks again.

BryanF

would this fall under the DEAP approach - if your unheated 'sunroom' gets changed to an unheated 'conservatory' you just meet the 'replacement' requirements of the current regs.

if a client wishes to change the 'sunroom' roof and not the windows / not deal with air-tightness/ ventilation etc and wishes to install, for example a stove then the sun-room becomes a habitable heated space, i would question the clients methodology and recommend new windows/ventilation etc

sydthebeat

the way i would view it would be in what spirit the regs are meant..

as they mention conservatory in the same vein as carport, porch or other covered area, that would say to me that they mean an area used infrequently and ancillary to the home, rather than integral to the home.

martinn123

sydthebeat wrote: »

the way i would view it would be in what spirit the regs are meant..

as they mention conservatory in the same vein as carport, porch or other covered area, that would say to me that they mean an area used infrequently and ancillary to the home, rather than integral to the home.

Well, in spirit, I see a Conservatory as being an integral part of the home.
Mine for example, has a wood Burning stove, TV, couch, coffee table, and a beer fridge:D.
I can see, car ports, porches, etc being used infrequently, but the theory behind these conversions is to make the Conservatory more comfortable, by the addition of a solid roof.

Thanks for the input so far.

sydthebeat

martinn123 wrote: »

Well, in spirit, I see a Conservatory as being an integral part of the home.
Mine for example, has a wood Burning stove, TV, couch, coffee table, and a beer fridge:D.
I can see, car ports, porches, etc being used infrequently, but the theory behind these conversions is to make the Conservatory more comfortable, by the addition of a solid roof.

Thanks for the input so far.

i would too... however in relation to this piece of legislation... lets play spot the odd one out...

conservatory, carport, porch or other covered area

or as a comparison see the class above it
a summer house, poultry-house, aviary, conservatory, coal shed, garden tool shed or bicycle shed

i think the most important word is "ancillary"... this means that while the use is supportive to the main use , its subordinate. That describes garden sheds etc correctly, but in todays living, does ancillary describe the use of conservatory / sun room??? as you say yourself above, you view it as an integral part of your dwelling. Id argue that in your case then , the conservatory is not ancillary but integral and therefore should comply with regs....

well, from a common sense point of view, they should comply regardless.

martinn123

sydthebeat wrote: »

i think the most important word is "ancillary"... this means that while the use is supportive to the main use , its subordinate. That describes garden sheds etc correctly, but in todays living, does ancillary describe the use of conservatory / sun room??? as you say yourself above, you view it as an integral part of your dwelling.

I Agree, and think part of the confusion is the lack of a definition, of a Conservatory, in UK I believe it has to be separated from the house by an external door, and have a separate heating system, but here???

sydthebeat wrote:

Id argue that in your case then , the conservatory is not ancillary but integral and therefore should comply with regs....

well, from a common sense point of view, they should comply regardless.

Again I agree, except that as a product they are available with Glass or Polycarbonate roofs, neither will meet the regulation regarding Insulation, its simply not available.
Another reason why these replacement roofs are being marketed, so as to improve the Thermal efficiency of the roof, or so the add says.