Conservatory Specification Guide: Selecting the Right Decision for Your Clients

In Summary

• Victorian, Edwardian, and Lean-to conservatories remain the most popular conservatory styles for homeowners.

• Each style has distinct architectural features, floor space advantages, and design benefits.

• Material choice, glazing, and roof design are critical for energy efficiency and comfort.

• Planning permission depends on property type, size, and local regulations.

• True Window & Glass Centre offers bespoke, high-performance conservatories tailored to client needs.

  
  

Adding a conservatory is one of the most requested home improvements, especially as the glazing industry advances and extensions become more thermally efficient.

For trade professionals advising clients, understanding the nuances between the nation’s most popular conservatory styles (Victorian, Edwardian, and Lean-to), ensures you can specify the perfect conservatory for each property.

From ornate bay fronts to simple sloped roofs, a well-chosen conservatory delivers extra space, plenty of natural light, a comfortable space for dining, a home office, or a cosy reading nook, all year round.

Selecting the right conservatory style for your clients

Choosing the right conservatory style comes down to the property, available floor space, and the client’s lifestyle. Each style offers unique benefits and can be customised with a variety of roof, glazing, and door options.

Victorian conservatories

Victorian conservatories are instantly recognisable by their curved or polygonal bay front, ornate roofline detailing, and decorative glass panels. They add a sense of grandeur and are ideal for period homes, while still complementing modern properties.

Benefits

• Polygonal bay front creates gorgeous panoramic views

• Ornate detailing adds a touch of elegance

• Perfect for cosy reading nooks, dining areas, or living spaces

• Adds extra floor space without a full single-storey extension

Edwardian conservatories

Edwardian conservatories feature a rectangular shape and flat front, maximising usable floor space. They have large, tall windows and a pitched roof with clean lines, creating a bright, airy interior. This style suits clients seeking plenty of natural light and a formal dining room, home office, or open living space.

Benefits

• Rectangular layout maximises floor space

• Clean, minimalist lines emphasise garden views

• Flexible interior layouts for dining, living, or working areas

• Large glazing amplifies natural light, creating a comfortable space

Lean-to conservatories

Lean-to conservatories are defined by their single-sloped roof (sloped roof) and rectangular footprint, making them ideal for modern homes or smaller spaces. Large glazed panels and a minimalist design allow plenty of natural light, creating a bright, welcoming environment.

Benefits

• Simple, contemporary design suits a wide range of properties

• Perfect for when external space may be limited

• Often more affordable than Victorian or Edwardian designs

• Large windows and glass roof provide plenty of natural light

• Ideal for home offices, dining areas, or cosy lounges

• Integrates seamlessly with existing buildings

Energy efficiency considerations

Regardless of style, energy efficiency is a key factor in conservatory specification. True Window & Glass Centre offers a variety of options to help reduce heat loss and maintain a comfortable space all year round.

• Double or triple glazing to improve thermal efficiency

• Solar control glass to manage temperature and energy bills

• Glass or tiled conservatory roofs for insulation

• Frames in uPVC or aluminium to minimise heat transfer

• Insulated roofs and slimline glazing for maximum natural light

  
  

Planning permission requirements

Planning permission depends on the property, size of the conservatory, and whether it is attached to a period or listed building. Most small-scale extensions are covered under permitted development, but checking local regulations is always recommended.

• Victorian and Edwardian conservatories are typically permitted if under size limits

• Lean-to conservatories usually fall under permitted development for smaller extensions

• Larger Edwardian or ornate Victorian designs may require formal approval

• Always consider specific period properties or conservation area regulations before specifying

Material choices

Choosing the right materials ensures durability, low maintenance, and suitability for the style of conservatory. True Window & Glass Centre provides bespoke options for every project.

• uPVC frames: low-maintenance, energy-efficient, and fully customisable in colour

• Aluminium frames: strong, slim for higher natural light intake, contemporary, ideal for large windows and modern designs

• Decorative or solar control glass: to manage heat and glare

• Roofing options: glass or tiled to suit the property and client needs

• Door options: French doors, sliding doors, or bi-folds to connect interior and exterior spaces

  
  

Conservatories from True Window & Glass Centre

At True Window & Glass Centre, we specialise in bespoke conservatories that combine classic charm with modern performance.

Our expert team can tailor any Victorian, Edwardian, or Lean-to design to suit the client’s home, from glass conservatory roofs to slimline windows and triple glazing for energy efficiency.

• Bespoke colour and frame options

• Roof types including both glass and tiled

• Decorative or solar control glass to manage heat and glare

• French doors, bi-fold doors, and large windows for plenty of natural light

Who are True Window & Glass Centre?

Based in Lincoln, True Window & Glass Centre has over 40 years’ experience delivering high-quality glazing solutions across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and the Midlands.

We serve domestic and commercial clients, providing windows, doors, and bespoke conservatories. Accreditations include FENSA, GGF, CHAS, Install Sure, and National Federation of Glaziers, giving clients peace of mind.

Our showroom showcases the full product range, and our expert team offers guidance from specification to installation.

Contact us on 01522 500892 for a free quote or advice on your next conservatory project.