We design and build uPVC conservatories in Cookham, from small lean-tos behind cottages to large garden rooms on detached houses in Cookham Dean. Our team is based at Fifield, about five miles from the parish, so we are usually with you in 15 to 20 minutes. Each conservatory we build comes with our 10-year guarantee.
Free survey for a uPVC conservatory in Cookham
Surveyed and fitted by our own team from Fifield, with lead times from 10 days and a 10-year guarantee. Tell us what you have in mind and we will book a free survey.
Garden rooms for village, Rise and Dean
Plots vary a great deal across the parish. Behind the High Street, older properties often have narrow gardens enclosed by brick walls. In Cookham Rise, the semis and detached houses tend to have more regular, wider gardens. Cookham Dean’s houses sit on sloping, leafy plots near the commons. We also design for homes in Pinkneys Green, Furze Platt and around Winter Hill. In each case, the shape of the house, the light and the garden levels decide which style works best.
Styles to consider
Lean-to
A lean-to conservatory has a single sloping roof against the house wall. It suits bungalows and low eaves, and works well as a small conservatory behind a terraced cottage.
Victorian and Edwardian
A Victorian conservatory has a rounded, faceted end and a steep roof, which echoes the period details on older houses. An Edwardian conservatory, sometimes called Georgian, is square or rectangular. It gives you the most usable floor space for a dining table.
Regency, Elizabethan and gable-fronted
Regency and Elizabethan designs are variations on the classic shapes. A gable-fronted roof lifts the front into a tall triangle, which adds height and light on a south-facing garden.
Combination layouts
A larger conservatory can take a combined shape. An L-shaped conservatory wraps around a corner. A T-shaped conservatory projects a central section into the garden. A P-shaped conservatory joins a lean-to run to a rounded end, so it can work as a lounge and a dining room at once.
Solid, glass or polycarbonate roofs
A solid roof conservatory stays more comfortable in summer and winter, and feels more like part of the house. A glass roof conservatory keeps the views of the trees and sky that draw people to Cookham Dean. Polycarbonate roofs are the lightest option, but they let through more heat and rain noise. If you already have a conservatory that gets too hot or cold, one of our replacement conservatory roofs can change how you use it without rebuilding the frames. We also build orangeries with brick piers and a roof lantern, and smaller porches. See our porches page.
Frames, colours and garden doors
The frames are white, woodgrain or dual colour, with a different shade inside and out. A grey or woodgrain exterior often sits better against Cookham’s red brick and clay tiles than bright white does. For the garden opening, you can choose uPVC French doors, a patio door, or an aluminium bifold from the Smart Visofold or Cortizo ranges.
Foundations and ground levels
The structure is only as good as its footing. We assess the soil, drainage and levels before we design the conservatory base. Parts of Cookham Village lie in Flood Zone 2 and are surrounded by low-lying ground, so floor height and drainage get extra attention on those plots.
Planning permission and Building Regulations
According to the Planning Portal, a single-storey rear conservatory is usually permitted development if it:
- projects no more than 4 metres from the original rear wall of a detached house, or 3 metres for other houses;
- is no more than 4 metres high;
- has eaves no higher than 3 metres if it is within 2 metres of a boundary;
- covers no more than half the land around the original house, together with other buildings.
A side conservatory must be single storey, under 4 metres high, and no wider than half the original house. Those rights are more limited in conservation areas, so check with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead about anything in Cookham Village or Cookham Dean. Our planning permission guide for conservatories and porches explains more.
A conservatory is normally exempt from Building Regulations if it:
- is built at ground level and has less than 30 square metres of floor space;
- is separated from the house by external walls, doors or windows;
- has its own heating with separate controls;
- is single storey;
- has glazing and electrics that meet the relevant rules.
Removing a wall into the house needs approval, even if the conservatory itself is exempt.
Budget and next steps
Size, roof type and base work drive the price. Our conservatory cost page explains how. If you are also replacing the house windows, read our uPVC windows and doors in Cookham page. Nearby, we build in Bourne End, Maidenhead and Marlow.
Arrange your free design visit
We will measure up, look at your levels and sketch out a layout with you. Ring 01753 965 005, message 07934 152 343 on WhatsApp, or fill in our free quote form. Lines are open weekdays 8am to 6pm and Saturdays 9am to 1pm.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission for a conservatory in Cookham Dean?
Cookham Dean is a conservation area, so permitted development rights there are more limited than elsewhere. For example, side extensions are restricted, and some exterior finishes need permission. A modest rear conservatory may still be allowed. Check with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead before you commit. We can supply drawings for your enquiry or application.
Is a solid roof better than glass for a Cookham garden?
That comes down to how the room will be used. A solid roof keeps the temperature steadier and suits year-round use as a lounge or study. A glass roof gives more daylight and the view of the trees, which many people in Cookham Dean love. We often suggest a solid roof with a glazed lantern as a middle ground.
Can you replace the roof on my old Cookham conservatory?
Yes, if the frames and base are still sound. We inspect the existing structure first. If it can carry the load, we can replace the polycarbonate or glass with a solid or upgraded glazed roof. That is often the most cost-effective way to make an old conservatory usable all year.
Will a conservatory work on low-lying land near Cookham Moor?
Often, yes, but the base needs careful design. Cookham Village is in Flood Zone 2, so we look at ground levels, drainage and floor height before we propose a layout. In some cases, a raised base is sensible. We will tell you honestly if the plot raises concerns that need wider advice.
What size conservatory fits a narrow cottage garden?
A lean-to is usually the best fit for a slim plot behind a cottage, because it needs little depth and sits under low eaves. If it stays within the permitted development limits and outside the conservation area, it may not need planning permission. Check with the council if you are in the village conservation area.