I read somewhere the other day, I can’t seem to re-discover the article at this point, which said that new conservatory installations hit an all time low in 2015. Bad news for the conservatory market.

But the conservatory market isn’t really the conservatory market any more is it. Polycarbonate roofs are becoming a thing of the past. Typical Victorian or Edwardian designs are dying out. All being replaced by much evolved glass and solid roofs, and designs that reflect a much more adventurous and contemporary side to design.

So as the old conservatory market continues to die, the glazed extension market continues to rise from it’s ashes. Will 2017 be a bumper year for the emerging glazed extension market?

What is the true definition?

Before I ramble on, I saw a tweet from Matthew Glover, aka Renegade Conservatory Guy, the other day asking whether the term “conservatory” is dead:

Well, he said out of date. I prefer dead. Because that’s what I believe the term and the product actually is. Look at how far our products have come in the last few years. We have a range of imposing columns, traditional metal gutters, internal pelmets, solid roofs, advanced glass roof tech and modern designs. All combined to create a structure that looks nothing like the conservatories of old. Therefore, the term “conservatory” is not applicable in my eyes. The term “glazed extension” does, simply because that is what it resembles. They’re closer to extensions than they are conservatories.

That said, the term “conservatory” is ingrained in our industry. It has been for decades. The chances of it being dropped any time soon are slim to non. Perhaps only when marketing departments start shoving it down the public’s throats then we might to see a trend change.

DGB Features

The year of the glazed extension?

Just because new conservatory installations are dropping like a stone doesn’t mean home owners aren’t extending their homes. We all know how much the solid roof market has taken off, and continues to perform strongly.

Still, there are signs that this could be a bumper year for new glazed extensions. Mortgage rates could slow this year. Bad for the mortgage market, good for home improvements, as home owners look to stay and improve their current homes rather than spend the money they were saving on moving house.

There may also be a degree of people looking to spend before the much publicised rise in costs due to creeping inflation. Home owners may want to make their bigger purchases now before inflation bites.

Saying that, credit is the cheapest it has ever been, and solid roofs or brand new glazed extensions aren’t cheap. Luckily, the credit markets are in fine health and interest rates are the lowest they can go. It has never been easier or cheaper for people to afford a glazed extension.

The market conditions are right for home extension, and as our menu of new products begins to take hold in the knowledge of the general public, glazed extensions will continue to wipe away any remaining market share that conservatories may still have. Add to that a number of research reports that show home improvements high on the list of things to do from home owners this year, it could be a very good year on the glazed extension front.

As a parting note, I can say that interest in glazed extensions so far this year is miles ahead when compared to this time last year. We have already had some early orders in, with two pretty large solid roof orders ready to come once they have been passed through planning. If interest continues like this, 2017 will be a much better year for us on the glazed extension front than the year previous.

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