Victorian Double Hipped Style Conservatory Explained

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What is it?

A Victorian Double Hipped, Double Hipped Victorian, Hipped Back Victorian, Victorian with rear box gutter are all common names for this style. The conservatory is the same basic design as a standard Victorian (please refer to the 'Victorian Explained' section for basic detail).

Plan (Bird's eye) view of a Victorian Double Hipped: Click here for a larger view

The difference from a standard Victorian comes in with the design of the roof. The Double Hipped roof is a pitched style (usually at around 25 degrees from the horizontal). This means that it slopes upwards from it's sides meeting at a central ridge height. In addition to a standard Victorian style roof, at the rear it is also pitched, which is also known as 'rear hip' or 'hipped back'.

The roof will most often make use of a 'box gutter' at the rear where rainwater runs down towards the property. As the roof slopes back towards the property which is a straight line, the rafter (roof bar) design will most commonly follow the same layout as an Edwardian style using Edwardian Hips and jack rafters (refer to the Edwardian section for a detailed explanation.

The ridge is the apex part of the roof, much the same as a normal house roof. Look again at the bird's eye view mentioned above, the central vertical line on this diagram is the Ridge, also notice the differing rafter layout at the square end compared to the rounded end.

Advantages of the Victorian Double Hipped Style

• The classic Victorian look can enhance the original features of a Victorian era property.
• Gives a softer aesthetic look to a conservatory with the 'hard' edges softened by way of the rounded looking front.
• Works well with smaller gardens as space may be an issue. Again, the rounded edges can offer a nicer access route around the sides if space is limited.
• Helps to blend with boundary lines if they are not straight or at an angle to the property position.
• Double hipped roof will accommodate for any height restrictions at the property where the conservatory is to be sited.
• Can project out into larger gardens (particularly if the garden is long and narrow) giving a greater conservatory space if desired.
• Blends well in a corner position with no sharp corners imposing on the overall layout between property and garden area.
Can accommodate greater widths when where an Edwardian style is desired.

Disadvantages of the Victorian Double Hipped Style

• Slightly reduced floor space inside the conservatory due to the cut-offs on the corners.
• Generally has a maximum width available so do not normally lend themselves to applications where width is more desired over projection.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Victorian conservatory is so-called as it mimics the design qualities enjoyed by the... yes you guessed it, Victorians. This style of design dates back to the later end of the 19th century. If you take a look at the style of Bay and Bow windows on houses from around the Victorian era, they all carry the same features with rounded qualities that help to break up the edges creating a classic distinguished look.