Main takeaways
- Victorian and Edwardian conservatories remain the most popular choice for traditional properties across Devon and Cornwall, offering timeless elegance and maximum floor space.
- Modern conservatory designs like Lean-To and P-Shaped styles provide versatile living space solutions for contemporary homes and properties with limited garden area or tricky access issues.
- Roof options, including glass, tiled, flat and lantern systems, dramatically affect both the functionality and energy efficiency of your new conservatory, with each suited to different requirements and budgets.
- Regional considerations such as coastal exposure, severe weather conditions and planning permissions play a crucial role in determining the perfect conservatory style for South West England homes.
- Working with expert installers who understand the unique challenges of the South West climate ensures your conservatory installation delivers long-lasting value and year-round comfort.
If you’re considering adding extra living space to your Devon or Cornwall home, a conservatory might be the perfect choice. Today’s conservatory designs offer exceptional energy efficiency and practical functionality that work beautifully with both traditional properties and modern homes.
Across the South West, homeowners embrace a range of styles. Victorian conservatories charm with their ornate period style detailing, while Edwardian style designs offer clean lines and maximum usable floor space. Lean-To conservatories suit properties with height restrictions, whilst P-Shaped designs create distinct zones within a single structure.
Modern roof options transform how these spaces perform. Glass roofs flood your new home extension with plenty of natural light, whilst tiled roof systems offer superior thermal insulation. Lantern roofs add height and grandeur, whilst flat roof systems provide a contemporary aesthetic for modern homes.
At DNA Window Solutions, we’ve perfected conservatory installations across Plymouth and the wider South West. We understand the challenges that coastal exposure, driving rain and salt air present, combining high quality conservatories with expert installation.
Best conservatory styles for homeowners in the South West
Choosing the right type of conservatory depends on your property’s architecture, available garden area, how you plan to use the space and your budget. Let’s explore the most popular conservatory designs we install across Devon and Cornwall.
Victorian conservatories
Victorian style conservatories are characterised by their ornate detailing, bay window front and steeply pitched roof. The multi-faceted design typically features three or five facets, creating that distinctive bay-fronted appearance that adds real character to traditional properties.
These conservatories work beautifully as a dining area or living room extension, with the option to add French doors which enable you to open up your living space to the great outdoors.
Victorian conservatories suit:
- Period properties and older homes where sympathetic design is important
- Homeowners wanting a statement piece that adds kerb appeal
- Properties with sufficient garden area to accommodate the bay-fronted design
- Those prioritising aesthetics alongside functionality
Edwardian conservatories
For homeowners who value practicality without sacrificing style, Edwardian conservatories offer the best of both worlds. Their rectangular shape and flat front design create maximum usable floor space, making furniture placement straightforward.
The clean lines of an Edwardian style conservatory complement both traditional properties and modern homes. Many customers choose to incorporate bi-fold doors or elegant French doors along the front elevation.
Edwardian conservatories suit:
- Homeowners wanting to maximise floor space and functionality
- Properties where a home office or dedicated dining area is the goal
- Those preferring a more understated, symmetrical design
- Gardens with a regular shape that complements the rectangular footprint
Lean-To conservatories
Sometimes called “sunrooms” or “garden rooms”, Lean-To conservatories offer a simple, cost-effective solution for adding living space. Their straightforward design features a single-slope roof that leans against the existing property wall, making them ideal for homes with low eaves or bungalows.
Modern Lean-To designs can look stunning, particularly when fitted with a glass roof for maximum natural light or a flat roof system for a contemporary finish.
Lean-To conservatories suit:
- Bungalows and properties with restricted height under the eaves
- Smaller garden areas where space is at a premium
- Homeowners on a tighter budget who still want high quality results
- Modern homes where contemporary clean lines are preferred
P-Shaped conservatories
When you can’t decide between a Victorian or Edwardian conservatory and a Lean-To design, a P-Shaped conservatory offers the best solution. This versatile style combines two conservatory types into one structure, typically pairing a Victorian or Edwardian style with a Lean-To extension.
The result is a large, multi-functional space. You might use one section as a dining area whilst the other becomes a comfortable living room or home office.
P-Shaped conservatories suit:
- Larger properties with substantial garden area available
- Families wanting flexible, multi-purpose living space
- Homeowners planning to use the conservatory for different activities
- Properties where the shape of the original property lends itself to this design
What roof options are available with these conservatories?
Your choice of conservatory roof dramatically affects how the space performs throughout the year. Living in the South West means dealing with variable weather conditions, from baking summer sunshine to driving winter rain.
Glass roofs
Glass roof systems remain a popular choice for homeowners who want to maximise natural light and maintain that classic conservatory feel. Modern glazing options have transformed performance, with solar control glass preventing overheating during summer and heat reflective options improving thermal efficiency during winter.
We offer self-cleaning glass options that use special coatings to break down dirt. Our glass roof systems feature clever innovations like the Glazing Stop that prevents any glazing slip, whilst twin-walled top caps provide additional insulation.
Flat roofs
Flat roof systems have become increasingly popular for creating a more “room-like” feel. They offer excellent thermal insulation, making your conservatory comfortable throughout the year and reducing your carbon footprint.
The streamlined appearance suits modern homes particularly well, creating a contemporary garden room aesthetic.
Tiled roofs
Our SupaLite tiled roof system transforms how conservatories perform, offering an incredible u-value of 0.18 for exceptional thermal insulation. The lightweight aluminium frame seamlessly integrates with new or existing windows and doors, whilst the choice of tile and slate colours allows you to match your original property perfectly.
Tiled roofs are particularly popular with homeowners looking to replace an existing conservatory roof. With a life expectancy of 60 years on the tiles and a 10-year guarantee on all roof components, this option delivers outstanding long-term value.
Lantern roofs
For properties where ceiling height allows, lantern roofs add drama and grandeur. These striking features sit raised above the main roof structure, creating additional height and flooding the space with natural light from multiple angles.
Lantern roofs work beautifully on larger conservatories, particularly P-Shaped designs.
Why choose DNA Window Solutions for your conservatory installation?
After working on conservatory projects across Devon and Cornwall for years, we’ve developed an approach that puts quality, transparency and customer service at the heart of everything we do.
Thermally efficient and durable materials
We use only the finest materials to ensure your new conservatory delivers exceptional performance year after year. Our frames offer excellent thermal efficiency and rigidity, with aluminium options providing slim sightlines and contemporary styling. All our conservatory designs are built to withstand the unique challenges of the South West climate.
Structural strength and weather protection
Our conservatory installations feature essential structural components that ensure strength, stability and effective water drainage. The patented innovations we incorporate prevent water ingress and provide peace of mind during severe storms.
Seamless coordination with windows and doors
Whether you choose elegant French doors, space-saving patio doors or stunning bi-fold doors, we ensure perfect integration. Our expert team coordinates every aspect of the installation. We offer frames in various colours including popular options like Chartwell Green.
10-year guarantee
We stand behind the quality of our work with a comprehensive 10-year guarantee against warping, splitting or discolouring. This demonstrates our confidence in the range of products we install and our commitment to delivering high quality conservatories.
Customisable glazing options
We offer a range of glazing options to suit different needs. Choose solar control glass to prevent overheating in south-facing conservatories, heat reflective options to improve energy efficiency, or self-cleaning glass to minimise maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best conservatory style for a small garden?
Lean-To or Edwardian conservatories typically work best for smaller garden areas. The rectangular shape of an Edwardian style maximises usable floor space, whilst Lean-To designs have a compact footprint. Both options can incorporate bifold doors to create a seamless connection with your garden.
Do I need planning permission for a conservatory in Devon or Cornwall?
Most conservatories fall under permitted development rights and don’t require planning permission. However, restrictions apply based on the size of your extension, proximity to boundaries and whether your property is listed. We handle all aspects of planning permission and building regulations throughout the entire process.
How long does a conservatory installation take?
Installation timeframes vary depending on the type of conservatory, its size and any challenges like tricky access issues. Most standard conservatory installations take between two to four weeks from start to finish. We can often accommodate weekend installations to minimise disruption.
Who are DNA Window Solutions?
We’re Adam and David, two brothers who founded DNA Window Solutions to transform the window, door and conservatory installation industry across Plymouth and surrounding areas. With years of experience in the home improvements sector, we knew homeowners deserved better customer service and professional installations.
Based in Plymouth at Unit 92, Christian Mill Business Park, Tamerton Foliot Road, PL6 5DS, we’re right in the heart of the South West. We understand the unique needs and challenges that homeowners face in Devon and Cornwall.
We take great pride in offering high quality conservatories built using premium materials from trusted suppliers. Our range of products includes windows (casement, tilt & turn, vertical sliding sash, flush casement, French windows and bay windows), doors (entrance doors, composite, bi-fold, sliding patio, French doors and porches) and various roof systems. Our product materials include uPVC, timber, composite and aluminium.
Ready to explore how a new conservatory could transform your Devon or Cornwall home? Contact us today on 01752 938120 or email sales@dnawindowsolutions.co.uk for a free, no-obligation quote. Our friendly team is here to guide you through the entire process.
