Frequently Asked Questions on Living Spaces

In Scottish Building Standards, a conservatory is a single-storey addition with a substantially glazed roof (at least 75% translucent material) and glass walls. A sunroom features a fully insulated, solid tiled or slated roof paired with large glazed windows. Sunrooms act like traditional brick extensions, offering superior heat retention during cold Scottish winters, whereas conservatories focus primarily on light intake.

In Scotland, any sunroom, conservatory, or extension with an internal floor area exceeding 8 square metres strictly requires an approved Building Warrant before construction begins. Conservatories under 8 square metres may be exempt if they retain external thermal doors separating them from the main house. However, because sunrooms feature solid roofs, they almost always require a full Building Warrant regardless of size.

Read more about planning guidelines.

Many rear single-storey additions qualify under Scottish Permitted Development (Class 1A) rights. You typically do not need Planning Permission if the build projects no more than 3 metres out for terraced homes or 4 metres for detached houses, stays under 4 metres in height, and covers less than 50% of your rear garden. Conservation areas and listed buildings always require formal planning approval.

Yes, but removing internal connecting doors changes how Scottish Building Standards evaluate your build. Without thermal doors separating the new space from your home, the entire addition is classified as a full extension. It must satisfy strict energy efficiency (SAP) calculations to prevent heat loss. ProGlaze designs high-performance insulated sunrooms specifically engineered to meet these strict open-plan thermal standards.

Central Scotland experiences damp, windy, and freezing winter conditions. ProGlaze constructs all living spaces using A-rated double glazing or triple glazing with argon gas fills, storm-resistant frames, and insulated floor bases. Our sunrooms feature fully insulated solid tiled roofs that lock in household heat, prevent draughts, and eliminate internal condensation, allowing you to comfortably enjoy your living space 365 days a year.

Securing a Scottish Building Warrant or Planning Permission through local councils – such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, or Fife – typically takes 6 to 12 weeks depending on local authority workloads. Once approvals are granted, physical groundworks, framing, roofing, and interior finishing usually take between 3 to 5 weeks. ProGlaze manages all technical council submissions directly, keeping your project moving forward without unnecessary administrative delays.

ProGlaze offers tailored finance options, including manageable Pay Monthly plans and flexible Buy Now, Pay Later schemes. These regulated credit arrangements allow Central Scotland homeowners to spread the cost of a sunroom, conservatory, or extension into predictable monthly installments or defer initial payments. This makes high-quality home additions accessible without requiring a full upfront capital outlay.

Our Buy Now, Pay Later scheme allows you to have your conservatory, sunroom, or extension installed immediately while deferring your repayments for an agreed initial period. If you choose to settle the balance in full before the deferred period ends, you only pay the outstanding capital amount (plus any standard arrangement fee), delaying major expenditure until it suits your finances best.

Applying for ProGlaze living space finance is quick, confidential, and straightforward. During your initial home consultation, our regional advisor guides you through a digital application process. Decisions from our panel of trusted lenders are typically granted quickly, allowing you to move forward with architectural drawings and Scottish council submissions without administrative delays.

Our installation follows a structured, stress-free process:

1. Free Technical Survey: Precise site measurements and ground checks.
2. Statutory Consents: Securing necessary Scottish Building Warrants or Planning Permission.
3. Groundworks & Base: Excavation, insulated base laying, and brickwork construction.
4. Frame & Roof Fitting: Precision installation of frames, solid/glazed roofs, and doors.
5. Plastering & Electrics: Interior fit-outs, power points, and heating.
6. Final Sign-Off: Comprehensive quality check and handover.

Once local council approvals (such as Building Warrants) are officially granted, on-site construction generally takes between 3 to 5 weeks depending on structural complexity. Groundworks and base construction take approximately 1 week, followed by frame erection, glazing, and roof installation. Internal plastering, electrical wiring, and final floor finishes take up the remaining build time. ProGlaze provides a detailed schedule so you know exactly what to expect each week.

Our experienced local tradespeople work closely with you to keep daily disruption to an absolute minimum. Heavy groundworks and structural framing are managed entirely from your garden via external access wherever possible. We use protective coverings for interior floors, manage site debris responsibly, and maintain a clean work area daily. Furthermore, internal connecting walls or doors are only knocked through at the final stages to preserve your home’s security and warmth.