How much does an Edwardian conservatory cost?

For a 3.5m x 3.5m Edwardian conservatory with uPVC frames and a polycarbonate roof, expect to pay between £9,250 and £10,750. 

Whether you’re searching for an “Edwardian conservatory” or a conservatory, Edwardian in style, this guide covers everything that affects the price, size, frame material, roof type, dwarf walls versus full-length glazing, and door choices, with real cost tables for each.

What Is An Edwardian Conservatory?

An Edwardian conservatory has a rectangular or square footprint with a pitched, hipped roof that slopes down on all sides to a central ridge. 

Unlike some other styles, it doesn’t have curved or angled corners, which means every corner of the floor space is usable: a big part of why it’s such a popular choice among UK homeowners.

The symmetrical, box-like shape also makes it relatively straightforward to design and build, which keeps Edwardian conservatory prices competitive compared with more elaborate shapes.

Do I Want A uPVC, Aluminium Or Timber Edwardian Conservatory?

uPVC is the most cost-effective option, and it’s low-maintenance and durable, which is why it’s the most popular choice for Edwardian conservatories. 

Aluminium costs around 15-20% more than uPVC, but offers greater strength with slimmer frames for a sleeker look. 

Timber is the premium option, at roughly 50% more than uPVC and it needs more maintenance, but gives you a timeless natural wood finish that can last a lifetime with proper care. You can see current pricing for uPVC conservatories specifically if that’s the frame you’re leaning towards.

What Roof Would I Like My Edwardian Conservatory Fitted With?

There are three popular roofing options for conservatories: polycarbonate, glass, and tiles. Polycarbonate is the cheapest option, though it’s noisier in the rain and lets in less light. 

Tiled roofs cost the most upfront but offer far better heat insulation, which can bring your heating costs down over time.

Shall I Opt For A Dwarf Wall Or Full-Length Glazing Panels?

A dwarf wall is a small brick wall at the base of your conservatory, giving it a more traditional brick-and-mortar extension look. The benefits include:

• Excellent support: a dwarf wall provides sturdier framing for heavier roofing, like glass or tiled options

• Superior heat insulation: brick traps heat better than glazing, helping keep the room warmer and reducing heating costs

Despite these advantages, a dwarf wall does cost more than full-length glazing panels, which instead give you:

• Uninhibited views of your garden or outdoor space

• A contemporary, floor-to-ceiling glass look

What Size Should An Edwardian Conservatory Be?

Size has a big impact on cost: larger conservatories need more groundwork, more materials, and more building work overall.

Will Bifold Doors Make My Edwardian Conservatory More Expensive?

Bifold doors tend to cost more than French or sliding patio doors, and sash windows cost more than standard casement windows. 

Every design choice you make, flooring, ceiling speakers, radiators, and so on, will affect the final figure, so it’s worth deciding early on which upgrades genuinely matter to you.

Edwardian vs Victorian Conservatories: What’s The Difference?

It’s easy to mix these two up, since both are popular, premium-feeling styles, but the shape sets them apart. 

A Victorian conservatory has a curved, multi-faceted bay front, typically with three to five angled panes, giving it a rounder, more ornate profile. An Edwardian conservatory is rectangular or square, with a straight-fronted, pitched roof, no curves or angled corners at all.

That squarer shape is also why an Edwardian conservatory isn’t necessarily bigger than a Victorian one of the same overall footprint.

It does tend to make better use of the space it has, since a Victorian’s angled corners eat into usable floor area that an Edwardian conservatory keeps fully usable, handy if you’re planning to fit furniture like a dining table or sofas along the walls.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Edwardian conservatory? 

An Edwardian conservatory has a rectangular or square footprint with a pitched, hipped roof sloping down on all sides to a central ridge. Its straight sides and lack of curved or angled corners mean the full floor space is usable, which makes it a practical, popular choice for UK homes.

How much does an Edwardian conservatory cost in the UK? 

A 3.5m x 3.5m Edwardian conservatory with uPVC frames and a polycarbonate roof typically costs between £9,250 and £10,750. Prices rise with size, frame material (uPVC being cheapest, timber the most expensive), and roof type, with a similarly sized tiled-roof version costing closer to £13,650-£15,150.

What is the difference between an Edwardian and a Victorian conservatory? 

An Edwardian conservatory is rectangular or square, with straight sides and a pitched roof. A Victorian conservatory has a curved, multi-faceted bay front, usually with three to five angled panes, giving it a rounder, more ornate look. 

Both are popular premium styles, but the shape of the front elevation is the clearest way to tell them apart.

Is an Edwardian conservatory bigger than a Victorian one? 

Not inherently, the two can be built to the same overall footprint. However, an Edwardian conservatory tends to offer more usable floor space for a given footprint, since it doesn’t lose any area to the angled corners a Victorian conservatory’s bay front creates.

What roof options are available for an Edwardian conservatory? 

The main choices are polycarbonate (the cheapest, but noisier and less light-transmitting), glass (a mid-range option with better light and insulation), Guardian roofs, and fully tiled roofs (the most expensive, but with the best heat insulation and noise reduction).

Are Edwardian conservatories good value for money? 

Generally, yes. Their simple, symmetrical shape keeps build costs relatively low compared with more elaborate conservatory styles, and because there’s no wasted space in the corners, you get a good amount of usable room for what you spend, particularly with uPVC frames and a polycarbonate or glass roof.