How to Get the Most Out of New Conservatory Buildings
Whether as a garden room, dining area or home office, a new conservatory can add value to your property. To get the best out of it, however, there are some key points to consider.
Ideally, your conservatory should blend seamlessly into the existing floorplan of your house. It should also provide a comfortable, natural environment all year round.
Size
A conservatory is the perfect place for plants and flowers and you can enjoy your garden all year round. It can also be a place to relax and read a book or have dinner with family and friends. Some people choose to use it as an additional living room.
New conservatories can add up to 5% to your home value. However, it’s important to find a design and size that suits your home and lifestyle. You also need to think about what you will be using the conservatory for. For example, kitchen conservatories will require a different style of furniture to those used as a living space.
It is also worth considering whether a Conservatory will require Planning Permission and Building Regulations. An experienced contractor can advise you and take care of the paperwork for you. Always get multiple quotes and choose a company that has been trading for several years. This will help you to avoid a low-quality build that may be cheaper in the short term but could end up costing more in the long run.
Style
When choosing a conservatory it’s important to consider what you want to use the space for. This will help you decide what type of structure is best suited to your home. Whether you’re opting for an orangery or sunroom, there are many different ways that these glass extensions can be styled to complement your property.
Choosing the right colour for your extension is also essential. The most popular shades are neutrals but there is plenty of choice if you’re looking for something brighter. Alternatively, you could opt for a statement shade to add a bold pop of colour to your garden room.
Once viewed as an extension solely for traditional period properties, modern conservatory ideas are now more than capable of being used to enhance contemporary homes. They can be the perfect place to host a family dinner or a relaxing retreat from the everyday hustle and bustle. When using this space for a kids playroom, clever toy storage ideas will help to keep the space looking spick and span.
Energy efficiency
A New conservatory is a wonderful addition to any home, adding a comfortable all year round living space in which to relax, dine or work. It can also add a significant monetary value to your property.
Originally, conservatories were thought to reduce household energy consumption by providing a ‘buffer zone’ for solar energy which passively pre-heated the house. However, many older conservatories can be too hot during the Summer and require fans in an attempt to keep cool, while during winter they become almost constant heaters, resulting in high energy bills.
A new tiled conservatory roof with a uPVC frame and windows will help your house stay cooler in the summer, reduce any glare from sunlight and stop you from needing electric fans. Ensure you choose the best quality windows with ‘A’ rated glass which will improve your energy efficiency, keeping heating bills down throughout the winter months.
Maintenance
There are some big pitfalls to avoid when building a conservatory, the most obvious one being that it should never look like an add-on or an afterthought. It’s also important that a conservatory blends well with the style and proportions of the house it adjoins.
The life span of a conservatory can be greatly increased by carefully considering the materials used: uPVC frames last longest while polycarbonate or glass can help reduce heat loss. There are modern glass options available which are self-cleaning to avoid streaks and spots and low-emissivity products to cut energy bills.
Finally, it’s always worth thinking about how a conservatory will be used at the planning stage. A well-designed conservatory can be multi-functional and provide an extra living space that can be adapted to suit different needs over time.