Building a conservatory is one of the best ways to give your family some extra living space and improve the value of your property. However, if you don’t plan thoroughly and consider each step involved in constructing the conservatory, this new living space can quickly become a pain instead of a pleasure.
Unfortunately, many homeowners neglect the essentials of conservatory design – only to regret it at a later stage. Here are some of the common mistakes to avoid when constructing a conservatory.
1 – Inappropriate style
At Unicorn Windows, we have a range of conservatory styles to match the architectural style of your home, including Georgian, Edwardian, and Victorian styles. For instance, Lean-To conservatories feature a rectangular plan and are highly regarded for their modern yet functional appearance.
For a period property, a Lean-To conservator would be stylistically incongruent with the architecture – becoming an eyesore, not an asset. However, if you have a modern town house, a Lean-To conservatory could be the perfect way to provide your family with some extra living space.
2 – Inappropriate location
The location of the conservatory is arguably the most important decision to be made during the planning phase. The most popular position for a conservatory is at the rear of the property. At all costs, avoid a north-facing conservatory as it will be impossible to get adequate amounts of sunlight. A north-facing conservatory will require heating and insulation, making it more expensive and practically unusable during the winter months. South-facing conservatories receive the most sun, although you need to take precautions (such as installing blinds) to ensure the conservatory does not overheat during the summer months.
3 – Inadequate ventilation
By making proper use of doors, windows, ridge vents, and eave vents, you can ensure that your conservatory is fully ventilated – essential for the summer months! While there are ways to ventilate a conservatory after it’s been built, it’s much better to get this right during the design phase – it’ll save you from a headache later on.
After installing motorised ridge vents at the top of the conservatory, the rising hot air can escape through the roof. With vents and open windows, cool air can circulate into the conservatory while hot air can escape, keeping you cool even when it’s warm outside.
4 – Inappropriate flooring
It’s important to remember that the flooring of your conservatory is not just an aesthetic choice – it’s also functional. Whatever you want to do inside the conservatory should dictate what type of flooring you install.
While timber flooring is highly regarded for its rustic charm, it can also require much more maintenance than other options (such as ceramic tile) and is prone to warping in extreme heat. If your conservatory is going to be a high traffic area, remember any dirt or debris carried from outside the house can certainly leave a mark, particularly if you have small children. In that case, it’s recommended that you install a type of flooring which is resistant to wear and tear and also doesn’t overheat in the summer – this is crucial for south-facing conservatories which receive the most light and heat.
We’re here to help
There are many things to consider when planning a conservatory, and many pitfalls to avoid! To ensure that you purchase a conservatory which falls within your budget, matches the style of your home, and is aligned with your intended usage of the living space, please don’t hesitate to get in contact for some free advice.
Remember to check out our conservatory gallery for some more inspiration!