8 Best DIY Conservatories [Buyer Guide]
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Having a custom conservatory built can be a costly investment, and in some cases – require planning permission! The beauty of DIY conservatories is that you can save money whilst also working on your own personal project, which if you already love DIY – you’ll love this! There are a lot of ready-made conservatory options out there, as well some flat pack conservatory kits which are optimal if you need to store your materials until you have time to build it. With DIY conservatories, you have the opportunity to truly customise what it will look like inside and out, with dining furniture for the conservatory and conservatory curtain options, as well as conservatory locks and conservatory rugs, to ensure it blends seamlessly with the rest of your home. On top of this, there are a number of options and colours available, DIY conservatories popular as you have options available that look professional and aesthetically pleasing – which can be difficult to find with other DIY items out there. By adding a conservatory to your home, you are maximising your living space whilst also creating a beautiful area that can be enjoyed all year round. Whether you use it on a daily basis, or save it for special occasions – it is a brilliant investment for your home and lifestyle.
The decision to choose the right self-build conservatory can be difficult – especially if you have a particular idea in mind on what part you want it to play in the overall design and feel of your home. For example, if you wanted to create it into a dining room, you’d have to think about whether the current furniture you own would work in a conservatory, or if you wanted to make this dining room for special occasions only – which would involve choosing new furniture and/or seasonal furnishings. Same goes for creating a home office, as there will be points where you don’t want sunlight pouring in and opting for accessories like curtains or plants can give you the perfect blend of ‘outside’ vs ‘inside’ office design. We review 8 of the best DIY conservatories below, taking into account their style, practicality and all the other parts we love about them.
Palram Sanremo White Lean-To Conservatory 10 x 14ft
The Palram Sanremo White Lean-To Conservatory 10x14ft is a beautiful design with UV protected 8mm clear polycarbonate roof panels, and a durable acrylic wall system. Its structure and materials used makes it easy to clean and repels harmful UV rays which is imperative, particularly in sunny weather. Also, if you have a young family it means your children can also play in this conservatory safely. The whole design resists rust meaning that the lifetime of this is automatically lengthened due to the minimal maintenance needed. It’s practical for those who want a conservatory without the added stress of constantly cleaning it. The aluminium base comes with it, and the whole frame is made from aluminium and steel – making it incredibly sturdy!
The fact that this design is very simple and clean cut makes it compatible with multiple house designs. Also, it pours light into your home and makes the space appear brighter and welcoming. The simplicity of this conservatory means that you can really add your own personal style to it – whether that’s furniture, plants or a children’s play area.
Key Features:
UV protected
Rust resistant
Aluminium and steel structure
Specification:
Brand
Palram
Dimensions
H: 310 cm x W: 425 cm x L: 295 cm (10ft x 14ft)
Material
Steel, Aluminium
Colour
White
Weight
221 Kg
Pros
Low maintenance conservatory
Simple design - can complement multiple home designs
Sturdy materials, product is durable
Cons
Best suited to those who have a lot of outdoors space
Palram Rion Sunroom Conservatory White/Clear 8 x 12ft
The Palram Rion Sunroom Conservatory is a practical design with a white resin frame – giving you insulation as well as long-term durability overall. The panels themselves are made from polycarbonate, with the side panels built from strong acrylic (which mimics glass effortlessly). This protects 100% against UV rays, so is excellent if you have a young family and want to keep them safe from the sun. It also includes a vent which helps with air circulation and overall reduces the risk of condensation in the colder months when you are heating from the inside. The vent is also an added bonus in the summer when the conservatory will get inevitably hot.
I like the fact that it also comes with a strong steel base and in-depth instructions so you can put this together with ease. If you wish to accessorise this conservatory the simple design makes the perfect canvas to add your own personal touches to it. Palram also have their own accessories which complement this style perfectly if you aren’t the creative type.
Key Features:
UV Protected
Vent included
Steel base - very sturdy
Specification:
Brand
Palram
Dimensions
H: 266 cm x W: 258 cm x L: 384 cm (8ft x 12ft)
Material
Steel, resin
Colour
White
Weight
64.9 Kg
Pros
Vent included - reduces risk of condensation-related damage
Spacious and adds brightness to the rest of the property
Sturdy and durable design
Cons
Instructions must be followed to-the-letter to ensure it is erected and sealed properly
Palram Sanremo Grey Lean-To Conservatory 10 x 14ft
The Palram Sanremo Grey Lean-To Conservatory is perfect for a home with a smaller garden, and a modern exterior. Composed with aluminium, steel and high impact acrylic, it’s durable whilst the matte grey frames are slick and luxurious looking. The roof panels are clear and 8mm thick – with UV protection so you can stay safe in sunny weather. It’s designed to be maintenance free, but there’s definitely room to turn this into a stylish entertaining area, or just a quiet spot for the whole family to enjoy some sunshine (even when it’s cold outside).
The base is steel adding to the overall strength of the design, as well as beautiful sliding doors which gives it that extra bit of elegance and style. The overall feel of the conservatory is modern and chic, and the color would compliment new builds that have cooler tones throughout the home.
Key Features:
UV protected
Steel base
Maintenance free design
Sliding doors
Specification:
Brand
Palaram
Dimensions
H: 310 cm x W: 425 cm x L: 295 cm (10ft x 14ft)
Material
Steel, aluminium
Colour
Grey
Weight
255 Kg
Pros
Slick, modern design and colour
Sturdy material to last all year round
Great for smaller properties and gardens
Cons
Would be less suited to a larger property - choosing a bigger size would be advised
Colour may not be suited to everybody’s exterior property design
Palram Rion Sunroom Conservatory White/Clear 8 x 14ft
The Palram Rion Sunroom Conservatory is designed, in essence, to suit any home. The roof panels are made from polycarbonate, and are pretty much unbreakable – so its durability to last through the seasons isn’t an issue. It boasts 100% UV protection so should you wish to use this space on a daily basis, you wouldn’t need to worry about installing protective measures as Palram already has this covered! The frame is made with resin, and a thick layer adds to the overall sturdiness of the conservatory.
Finally, it comes with a vent to prevent excessive condensation and heat, and a side door for accessibility – meaning that this could be extended either on the side or back of your property with ease. Also, this conservatory comes with built in guttering, which is ideal due to its size and time it would take to clean.
Key Features:
UV Protected
Vent included
Side door
Steel base
Specification:
Brand
Palram
Dimensions
H: 266 cm x W: 258 cm x L: 446 cm (8ft x 14ft)
Material
Steel, resin
Colour
White
Weight
64.9 Kg
Pros
Spacious, simple design (so you can be creative with your decorating)
Great size to host guests or create a separate area for children
UV protection is a plus
Cons
Bigger size may not be suitable for smaller properties
Palram Rion Sunroom Conservatory White/Clear 8 x 16ft
The Palram Rion Sunroom Conservatory in 8X16 is perfect for those who want to have a spacious area to convert into its own room, or use as a general entertaining room for guests. It has a merged glazing system and polycarbonate roof panels, and has 100% UV protection. It comes with a hinged side door for discreet entrance from the outdoors, and this feature means that you have more flexibility with the design as the door takes up minimal space overall.
The frame is made from resin and it comes with a galvanized steel base as well as vents, gutters and translucent side panels. These mimic real glass very well, but are easier to clean and not expensive to replace should you need to. The overall size of this is excellent as you can fit large furniture in it as well, which is a plus.
Key Features:
Vent included
Slide door
Steel base
Specification:
Brand
Palram
Dimensions
H: 266 x W: 258 x L: 508 cm (8ft x 16ft)
Material
Steel, resin
Colour
White
Weight
64.9 Kg
Pros
Very spacious - can fit a lot of furniture in this dimension
Sturdy materials, makes it feel luxurious
Cons
If you are planning to use this as a dining space, it may be worth considering a smaller size so it doesn’t feel too big!
Palram Sanremo White Lean-To Conservatory 10 x 18ft
The Palram Sanremo White Lean-To Conservatory in 10X18 is modern and low maintenance, with sliding doors and a great size for those who are looking to extend their dining space, or create an area for studying/reading as it allows sunlight to pour in. The materials used are steel and aluminium, making the overall feel strong and durable in all weather conditions (even snow!). The roof is made from polycarbonate and is 100% protective when it comes to UV rays. So, in theory if you wanted to use this as a play area for young children, you could.
The materials make this rust resistant, and the white framing means that it won’t clash with the overall design of your home. Palram also has a number of accessories and soft furnishings available which definitely will complement this style.
Key Features:
Sliding doors
Steel base
UV protection
Specification:
Brand
Palram
Dimension
H: 311 cm x W: 546 cm x L: 295 cm (10ft x 18ft)
Material
Steel, aluminium and resin
Colour
White
Weight
253 Kg
Pros
Smaller properties will love the design as it won’t take up too much space
Sliding doors are elegant and great for summertime to open up the home
Cons
Will not fit a huge amount of furniture in due to the smaller measurements
Palram Sanremo White Lean-To Conservatory 10 x 14ft
The Palram Sanremo White Lean-To Conservatory 10x14ft is a small but mighty design that is absolutely perfect for ground floor flats or smaller homes that want to add light, space and elegance to their home. Stainless steel, resin and aluminium are the key materials used to create this conservatory, and the acrylic wall system looks just like glass – but is cheaper and some could argue more durable in the long-term. The overall design is 100% protected from UV rays, so you can be rest-assured you’re safe even in the sunniest weather.
The sliding doors are incredibly elegant, and the guttering system is easy and low maintenance for the autumn/winter months. Overall, this space can be used from dining, to leisure, to a child’s play area. Great for those who want a conservatory that can hold furniture, without having to turn it into a completely brand new room. It may be worth investing in a set of curtains should you wish to maintain some privacy, though.
Key Features:
Sliding doors
Steel base
UV protection
Specification:
Brand
Palram
Dimension
H: 300 cm x W: 425 cm x L: 382 cm (10ft x 14ft)
Material
Steel, aluminium and resin
Colour
White
Weight
290 Kg
Pros
Built-in guttering system is low maintenance
Windows mimic real glass and easy to clean
Cons
Worth investing in some curtains should you wish to have some added privacy
Palram Rion Sunroom Conservatory White/Clear 6 x 6ft
The Palram Rion Sunroom Conservatory in White/Clear 6X6 is a slice of brightness for every home. The intimate sizing and simple design allows it to be the least invasive conservatory design, as it takes up very little space in your garden. It’s the perfect addition for a home office, and the light pours through to brighten up even the darkest spaces. There’s a hinged side-door for another method of access, and the UV protection means that you can enjoy studying/working/relaxing without any bother. The side panels are acrylic and durable, and the rest of the materials include steel, aluminium and resin – making this sturdy and reliable even in the toughest weather. Simple to put up, and stylish!
Finally, due to its size and overall design this is a no-brainer to clean and can be put up very quickly.
Key Features:
Side door
Steel base
UV Protection
Specification:
Brand
Palram
Dimensions
H: 247 cm x W: 200 cm x L: 200 cm (6ft x 6 ft)
Material
Steel, aluminium and resin
Colour
White
Weight
82.6 Kg
Pros
Easy to erect and doesn’t take up a lot of space
UV protection makes a great home office
Clear cut, modern design means you can decorate as you wish
Cons
Not suitable for those who want a conservatory that can store large furniture, or act as an entertainment room
Summary
Most of the time, these decisions rely on a number of factors such as size, colour, style and the type of door you choose when picking a conservatory. If you are still stuck on which one to pick, here are some things to look out for when purchasing your new conservatory kit.
Buyer Consideration Guide for DIY Conservatories
Things to consider before buying your self-build conservatory
Colour
Believe it or not, the colour of your conservatory can determine the type of interior design route you choose to go down. As a rule of thumb, neutral colours such as white can work incredibly well with any type of interior design choice, as it can be masked easily and compliments a number of fabrics as it quite simply blends in to the background.
However, darker colours such as browns, blacks and greys tend to work with interiors that are earthy (browns, creams, wooden styles) or modern/minimalistic (chrome, black and tile). What we recommend is looking at the interior design of the rest of your house, and assess which colour you feel will blend with this seamlessly. Or, if you want this room to have a completely different dynamic it may work well to choose a colour that can enable you to create a new design just for your conservatory. This all boils down to personal preference, but have a think about the colour that you want for your conservatory – as it’s going to be permanent!
You’ll also need to think about things such as the colour-scheme matching accessories such as conservatory curtains and and conservatory rugs.
Size
As beautiful as it would be to have a gigantic conservatory, if your garden isn’t big enough, and the size of the conservatory is disproportionate to the rest of your home – it may be worth opting for a smaller size. You want to go for a conservatory that will compliment the following:
- What you are going to be using it for the most
- The size of your garden (you want to aim to still have at least 60-70% of your garden untouched)
- The amount of furniture you plan to put in it
Finally, you want to ensure that the size you are going for is maintainable, as even though self-assembley conservatories are notoriously easy to maintain, you want to ensure that it isn’t going to be a hindrance to your lifestyle and cleaning routine that you adopt to the rest of the home. As well as this, if you do opt for a bigger size, consider the cost of curtains, plants, and other decorative elements alongside the furniture that will cost more to fill a bigger space.
Door Type: Sliding or Side Door?
Believe it or not, choosing which door you’d prefer to have will determine the practicality and overall aesthetic style of your conservatory. There are multiple conservatory styles out there, but with this comes the option for sliding doors, or a side door. Depending on what you use the conservatory for will determine which door would suit you best, as well as your garden environment and pets and children influencing your decision making.
For example, sliding doors typically compliment larger conservatories better, as they can open up the space even wider in the summer months and can be used as an indoor/outdoor entertainment area. Side doors are often more popular with smaller conservatory designs, as sliding door options may restrict what you can use the space floor, and a side door takes up less room – giving you more options when it comes to design. We recommend looking at your conservatory size first, and from there assessing which door options would complement it. Please note that for some smaller conservatories, you may only be given one option – which we guess makes the decision process easier for those who are indecisive!
Furniture
Your conservatory choice may be based on furniture that you already have, which can ultimately decide which conservatory you go for. For example, if you have an ‘L’ shaped sofa and a 35” wall-mounted TV that you’d like to transfer into your conservatory, you’d be better off purchasing a conservatory that will compliment the furniture – not overcrowd the room, or in some cases, make it look bare!
It’s important that if you are using existing furniture to build the aesthetic of your conservatory, that you have measured it out first, and if possible, drawn out a plan of how you would want it to look. Doing this will not just eliminate the possibility of the furniture not fitting, but it will also indicate whether you need to look at other furniture to compliment that room and make it feel as homely as the rest of your house!
FAQ
Here we answer all of the common questions asked about DIY conservatories.
Are DIY conservatories any good?
Yes, and they’re a great option for those who want a cost-effective way of a conservatory without the expense that manual labour can bring. Some larger conservatories will require maintenance, but as a rule of thumb you should look for DIY conservatories that are made with sturdy materials (steel, aluminium, acrylic) that you know will last. Also, reading customer reviews is a great way of understanding the positives and negatives of each conservatory so you can make an informed decision on your purchase.
What are DIY conservatories also known as?
They can be known by the following names when shopping online or in-store:
- Conservatory kits
- Self-build conservatory
- DIY lean-to conservatory
- Self-assembly conservatory
- Self build conservatory prices
- Ready-made conservatory
- Flat pack conservatory
- Lean to conservatory kit
How difficult is it to assemble a DIY conservatory?
It completely depends on the size that you go for, as well as your confidence in DIY projects. For the smaller designs that are less than 4 metres in size, it could be possible to erect this completely on your own. However, for larger conservatories it is advised to get help from a family member especially when building the roof components, for safety above anything else! It’s also worth investing in a conservatory roof cleaner and a weed killer to ensure you get longer out of the roof.
We’ve included a video here showing you how to install the framework for a DIY conservatory, so hopefully that will be helpful.
How much are DIY conservatories?
The price can range significantly as an increase in size, means an increase in price. They can vary anywhere between £700 to £5,000 depending on requirements. If you have a particular budget in mind (let’s say £4,000) you could comfortably purchase a conservatory in the realm of 4 x 4 metre, which can comfortably fit furniture and accessories in there without looking overcrowded.
What size conservatory should I build?
It depends on the size of your garden, and the size of your overall property. You need to consider what you’d want to use the conservatory for, and from there assess your budget which will narrow down the sizes that work in your price range. After you’ve deciphered this, we’d recommend measuring your garden and deciding how much space you would be willing to sacrifice for your conservatory.
Are DIY conservatories warm?
Yes – providing that you follow the instructions and keep them insulated during the winter! In sunny, your flat pack conservatory will have no issues warming up, as the sun will directly penetrate through the clear acrylic. Even in the winter, you’ll find that your conservatory is arguably the warmest place in the house providing it’s a sunny day. In the colder months, lack of sunshine may persist – so ensuring that you have insulated your conservatory will mean that it will stay warm. Failing that, invest in a portable conservatory heater to keep the place cosy.
We hope this buyer guide and FAQ has helped you!
Further Reading
If you would like to learn more about DIY conservatories, click here.