Verandas — UK Starting Prices & Side-by-Side Comparison

What is a veranda?

A veranda is a covered outdoor structure with a roof supported by posts, designed to extend your home's living space into the garden. Unlike a conservatory — which is a fully enclosed glass room treated as part of the habitable home — a veranda is typically open-sided, though glass walls and sliding doors can be added later. Modern aluminium verandas have become the UK's fastest-growing alternative to conservatories over the past decade. They install in days rather than weeks, rarely require planning permission, and don't suffer the summer overheating problems of older-style conservatories.

Our range covers six aluminium veranda models, from a Dutch-built polycarbonate entry point at the Bolthole through to the British-built, marine-coated Vista at the top of the range. Every model is engineered for UK weather — rain, wind, frost, UV — and every price on this page includes installation and VAT.

Types of veranda

UK verandas vary by three main dimensions:

• By roof material — glass verandas (premium finish, silent in rain, UV-stable) or polycarbonate verandas (lighter, cheaper, more affordable for larger footprints). Five of our six models offer both; Bolthole is polycarbonate only, and Horizon and Vista are glass only.
• By roof shape — pitched (traditional sloped roof, classic veranda aesthetic) or flat (modern cubist look, works for bungalows and low-fix situations). The Horizon and Vista are our flat-roof specialists; all other models are pitched.
• By country of origin — British-built (Haven, Pavilion, Vista) with QUALICOAT Seaside marine-grade coating and a 60-year design life, or Dutch-built (Bolthole, Sanctuary, Horizon) with standard polyester coating and 25–40 year lifespans at lower price points.

Benefits of a veranda

A good veranda turns an unused garden area into a usable room for roughly 10 months of the year. Specifically:

• Weather protection — rain, harsh sun, hail, light snow, UV. You can eat outside, work outside, or sit with a coffee in any weather that isn't actively stormy.
• Property value — industry sources suggest a well-installed veranda adds approximately 5–7% to property value, with some premium installations adding more. It counts as covered, usable floor area.
• Speed — most installations take 1–3 days on site, start to finish. A brick extension of comparable size takes 2–4 months and costs 3–5× more.
• Flexibility — start with an open-sided veranda and add glass walls, lockable sliding doors or louvred panels later as budget and needs evolve.
• Low maintenance — aluminium doesn't rust, rot, warp, swell, or need repainting. An annual rinse with water keeps it looking new.

Glass roof or polycarbonate roof?

The roof material is the single biggest decision. Both have real trade-offs, and we won't push you toward the more expensive option.

Polycarbonate roof verandas are typically 30–50% cheaper than glass. The panels are lightweight twin-wall or triple-wall plastic — translucent rather than transparent — and they perform well in UK weather. The downsides: rain hitting polycarbonate is noticeably noisier than glass, and the panels can yellow slightly over decades of UV exposure.

Glass roof verandas are virtually silent in rain, UV-stable (no yellowing), and produce a premium architectural finish that maximises property value. Glass is heavier, so spans and post requirements differ. Most of our customers building for the long term choose glass — particularly when the veranda is a primary dining or entertaining space where ambiance matters. For the full comparison, read our Glass vs polycarbonate veranda roofs guide.

Do I need planning permission for a veranda?

In most cases, no. Modern aluminium verandas usually fall under Permitted Development rights, meaning full planning permission is not required. The caveats:

• Raised platforms — a veranda floor more than 30 cm above ground level typically triggers planning.
• Listed buildings and conservation areas — stricter rules; planning consent often required even for Permitted Development-eligible structures.
• Height and boundary distance — general limits apply (usually 4m maximum height, 3m if within 2m of a boundary).
• Front of house — verandas on the principal elevation facing a highway are more likely to need permission than rear-garden installations.

We check your specific property during the free survey and advise before you commit. For the full rules, read our Veranda planning permission UK guide.

How much does a veranda cost in the UK?

UK veranda prices depend on size, roof material, post count and any side options. Indicative starting prices (4m × 3m, the smallest standard configuration, installed and VAT-included):

• Bolthole — from around £5,200 (polycarbonate, Dutch-built)
• Haven — from around £6,000 (glass, British-built)
• Sanctuary — from around £6,400 (glass, Dutch-built)
• Pavilion — from around £6,000 (glass, British-built)
• Horizon — from around £9,200 (glass, Dutch-built, flat roof)
• Vista — from around £11,800 (glass, British-built, chunky 150mm posts)

Starting prices are shown on each model card above — tap Get My Quote for a written price for your exact dimensions. Every quote includes installation, VAT, and any standard extras — no hidden add-ons. For a detailed cost breakdown including side options, LED lighting and heating, read our Veranda costs pricing guide.

Is there a maximum size for a veranda?

Each individual veranda structure has its own per-unit limits — typically a maximum depth of 4–6 metres and a maximum post span of 4–7 metres depending on the model. But there is no practical cap on overall width, because multiple verandas can be installed directly next to each other as one continuous structure. If you have a 10-metre rear elevation and want it fully covered, we'll install two verandas side-by-side running as a single run with a shared gutter line. This is common on large entertaining properties, hospitality venues, and long frontages. The same approach works if you want the veranda to wrap around a corner of the house.

How long does veranda installation take?

End-to-end, from first enquiry to installed structure, the typical timeline is 4–8 weeks — quote and survey within 1–2 weeks, manufacturing 2–4 weeks once ordered, and physical installation 1–3 days on site. British-built models (Haven, Pavilion, Vista) often arrive faster than Dutch-built models (Bolthole, Sanctuary, Horizon) because manufacturing is domestic. Your survey visit confirms the exact timeline before you pay any deposit.

Which veranda model is right for me?

Each model in our range is engineered for a different priority. Use this shortlist as a starting point:

• Best value — the Bolthole. Dutch-built polycarbonate. Fully customisable size and colour. From around £5,200 installed. Polycarbonate roof only.
• Most versatile glass veranda — the Haven. British-built, 60-year design life, Victorian or contemporary styling, marine-grade coating, glass or polycarbonate roof.
• Widest post spans for uninterrupted views — the Sanctuary. Dutch-built, reinforced gutter profile, up to 6m between posts, widest colour range.
• Large entertaining spaces — the Pavilion. British-built, up to 6m depth, marine-coated, 60-year design life.
• Bungalows and low-fix roofs — the Horizon. Dutch-built flat-roof glass veranda, up to 7m between posts, integrated LED as standard.
• Bold architectural statement — the Vista. British-built, chunky 150mm posts, flat or apex roof, 60-year design life, glass only.

If you're still unsure, the side-by-side comparison table above puts every model's specifications side by side — warranty, lifespan, post span, roof options, colour choice and optional extras. Or call us on 0800 654 69 64 and we'll talk it through with no obligation.