We design and fit lean-to conservatories in Clerkenwell for homeowners who want extra living space at a sensible cost. This page suits you if you have a small garden, a bungalow, a terrace house or a wall with low eaves. You will learn about the roof and frame choices, how a lean-to is built, the rules that apply, what sets the cost and how to care for it.
A lean-to conservatory has a single sloping roof that rests against the wall of your house. Some people call it a sunroom. The simple shape means it can fit where other styles cannot, such as under a low first floor window or along a narrow side wall. It gives you a bright, clean room for dining, a play area, a home office or a place to sit and enjoy the garden.
All our work is fitted by FENSA registered installers and comes with a 10-year guarantee. You can compare every style on our main conservatories page.
Why Choose a Lean-To
The lean-to is the simplest conservatory shape, and that brings real benefits:
- Fits low walls: the shallow roof slope sits under bedroom windows and low eaves.
- Good use of space: straight walls and square corners make it easy to furnish.
- Works on small plots: it can be long and narrow, so it suits gardens with little depth.
- Simple to build: fewer roof parts mean a quicker build than more complex styles.
- Modern or classic: it looks at home on a new build or an older cottage.
If you have more height and room, a Victorian conservatory with its bay front, or an Edwardian conservatory with its square plan and ridged roof, may suit better. A lean-to can also be joined to these styles to make a larger L-shape or P-shape room.
Roof Choices
The roof makes the biggest difference to how warm and bright the room feels. You can choose from:
- Glass roof: the most light. Solar control glass cuts heat and glare on sunny days.
- Solid tiled roof: an insulated warm roof with a plastered ceiling. It feels like a true room of the house.
- Glass and solid mix: solid sections with glass panels, or a solid roof with roof lights.
A lean-to roof needs a minimum pitch so rain runs off well. On very low walls, a flat roof with a roof lantern can work instead. That gives you a room close to an orangery in feel, with light pouring in from above.
Frames, Walls and Glass
We offer three main frame types:
- uPVC: warm, low upkeep and good value, in white, colours and wood-grain finishes.
- Aluminium: slim and strong, for a modern look with more glass.
- Timber: a natural look that suits period homes, with regular painting needed.
You can build the room on a low brick dwarf wall to match your house, or use full height glass for more light. We fit double glazed units with low-E glass and argon gas as standard, with a centre pane U-value of around 1.2 W/m²K. Doors can be French doors, sliding doors or bi-folds, all with multi-point locks.
How a Lean-To Is Built
We start by marking out the room and digging the footings. A concrete base goes in with insulation and a damp proof membrane. Then we build any dwarf walls, fix the frames and fit the roof. A wall plate ties the roof to the house, and lead or a flashing strip keeps the joint dry.
Once the room is watertight, we glaze the frames, fit the doors and finish the inside. Most lean-tos take around a week on site once the frames are made. Our how we work page explains each stage, from the free survey to aftercare.
Planning and Building Regulations
Most lean-to conservatories can be built under permitted development, so you will not need planning permission. Limits apply to the depth, height and position of the room. For example, it should sit at the back or side of the house, not face a road at the front, and not cover more than half the garden. Listed homes, flats and homes in conservation areas have tighter rules.
A conservatory is often exempt from Building Regulations if it is under a set floor size, has an external door between it and the house, and has its own heat control. A solid roof, or opening up the house wall, will bring it under Building Regulations. We check all of this at the survey.
What Drives the Cost of Lean-To Conservatory
Each lean-to is made to measure, so we do not give fixed prices online. These are the main things that set the cost:
- Size: more floor area needs more base, frame and roof.
- Roof type: solid and mixed roofs cost more than glass.
- Frame material: aluminium and timber cost more than uPVC.
- Dwarf wall or full glass: brick walls add building work.
- Doors: bi-folds cost more than French doors.
- Extras: roof lights, heating, flooring, power and blinds all add to the total.
- Site: slopes, drains or tight access can add work.
After a free survey, you get a written, fixed quote with no hidden extras, and the payment stages are set out in it. Ask for yours on our get a quote page.
Comfort All Year Round
A lean-to can be a room you use every day if it is planned well. Face matters most. A south facing room gets lots of sun, so solar control glass, roof vents and blinds help keep it cool. A north facing room gets soft light and stays cooler, so a warmer roof and good heating help. Trickle vents and opening windows keep air fresh and cut condensation. We plan this with you at the survey.
If you want a room set apart from the house, take a look at our garden rooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you choose the right spot for a lean-to conservatory?
Look at which way the wall faces and how the sun moves across the garden. South facing rooms are bright and warm but need shade in summer. North facing rooms are cooler and get soft light all day. Think about how you will move between the house and the room, and keep clear of drains, trees and boundary walls where you can. We advise on this at the survey.
Can heating or cooling be added to a lean-to conservatory?
Yes. Underfloor heating works well and leaves the walls free. You can also fit electric panel heaters or a radiator on its own control. To keep it cool, use solar control roof glass, roof vents, opening windows and blinds. A ceiling fan helps in a solid roof. If the room is exempt from Building Regulations, the heating must have its own control.
What upkeep does a lean-to conservatory need?
Very little. Wash the frames with warm, soapy water a few times a year and clean the glass when it needs it. Clear the gutters each spring and autumn. Check the seals and the flashing where the roof meets the house once a year. Timber frames need repainting every few years. Keep vents open on warm days to let damp air out.
Is planning permission needed for a lean-to conservatory?
Most lean-tos are built under permitted development, so you do not need it. The room must stay within limits on size, height and position. You will need permission for a listed home or a flat, and rules are tighter in conservation areas. A solid roof or an open link to the house may bring in Building Regulations. We check this before you commit.
Does a lean-to conservatory add value to a home?
A well built lean-to adds usable space, which buyers value. A room you can use all year, with a good roof and heating, will appeal more than one that is too hot or too cold. How much it adds depends on your home, the area and the quality of the build. A local estate agent can give you a view on homes like yours.
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