Cable Management Tips for Home Extensions and Conservatories

If you’re adding a conservatory or extending your kitchen, wiring will be one of the first things you think about. Good cable management isn’t just about looks – it protects sockets, prevents trips, and makes future upgrades easier.

Plan Your Routes Before You Cut Anything

Start by drawing a simple floor plan on paper or a tablet. Mark where lights, outlets, and appliances will go. Then sketch the most direct path for each cable. Keeping runs short reduces voltage loss and cuts down on material costs.

Look for existing studs, joists, and conduit channels. Running cables alongside these structures is safer and keeps the work tidy. If you’re unsure about load‑bearing walls, call a structural engineer – it’s cheaper than fixing a mistake later.

Choose the Right Fasteners and Trunks

Plastic trunking is a cheap, easy way to hide surface‑mounted wires. It snaps together, can be painted to match walls, and opens for future changes. For concealed runs, use PVC conduit or metal trunking that can be screwed into studs.

Secure cables every 300mm with clips or cable ties. Too many loose strands can rattle and damage insulation over time. Keep ties snug but not tight – you want some give when the house expands or settles.When you reach a junction box, label each line with a permanent marker. A clear label saves you hours when you’re troubleshooting or adding new sockets.

Remember safety: never run power cables near water pipes or heating ducts. Keep a minimum of 50mm clearance from any pipe that could leak. If you must cross, use a protective sleeve.

For lighting in a conservatory, consider LED strips that run on low‑voltage. They can be fed from a single transformer and hidden under roof joists, giving a clean look without bulky fixtures.

If you’re wiring a heated floor, lay the heating cable first, then cover it with the screed. Test the system before you install flooring to avoid re‑doing the work.

When you reach the end of a run, use a junction box with a cover that’s rated for outdoor use if it’s near a roof edge. This prevents dust and moisture from getting in.

For DIY folks, a simple trick is to use a fish tape – a flexible steel rod that pulls cables through concealed spaces. It’s cheap and works better than trying to push a wire by hand.

Keep a spare coil of the same cable type on site. If you discover a mis‑cut, you won’t have to run back to the supplier and delay the project.

Finally, do a quick visual check before you finish the walls. Look for any exposed bits, loose ties, or missing labels. A clean finish not only looks good but passes building inspections without notes.

Good cable management is a small step that pays off in safety, aesthetics, and future flexibility. Follow these basics and your new conservatory or extension will stay tidy, functional, and ready for any upgrade you plan down the line.