With winter rapidly approaching, moisture can build up in your conservatory which turns to water vapour lingering on your windows, also known as condensation. When untreated, condensation can lead to mould which may cause structural damage to your property.
During the cold weather, you can often see the condensation resulting from your cold breath, and if you have an airtight conservatory which is used regularly, this can quickly become a problem.
Ensuring that your conservatory is well ventilated is, then, essential to enjoying the living space during every season of the year.
Conversely, in the summer months, ventilation is also important. Since a conservatory contains many panels of glazed glass, this attracts large amounts of radiation from the sun and if there is no ventilation present, the conservatory can quickly become humid and stuffy. Especially because conservatories are designed to be both air and water tight, this can rapidly lead to an uncomfortable experience regardless of what time of year it is.
Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your conservatory ventilated, making the living space much more pleasurable to inhabit.
Roof vents
The most common and affordable form of ventilation for conservatories is the roof vent. These are rectangular units installed in a roof panel and are either motorised or manually operated. They are both draft and water proof and designed in the same style as the conservatory roofing for aesthetic purposes. Roof vents normally feature in the planning phase of the conservatory but may also be installed at a later date.
The most economical way of opening and closing the roof vent is with a hook and pole, although as technologies advance, motorised systems are definitely becoming more popular. Systems such as Teleflex® can be operated with a remote control, meaning you can keep your conservatory ventilated without even needing to leave the comfort of your arm chair. Some systems even have sensors which are able to detect when it rains so that the vent can be automatically closed.
Ceiling fan
A ceiling fan can make your conservatory environment infinitely more enjoyable in both the summer and the winter. During warm weather, a ceiling fan helps to re-circulate the warm air trapped at the top of the conservatory, lowering the conservatory’s temperature and helping you to save money on air conditioning.
In the winter, a conservatory fan will help you to save costs on heating as the hot air at the top of the conservatory is re-circulated downwards, helping you to stay warm and cosy. Always remember that the size of the ceiling fan’s blade span should be appropriate for the size of the conservatory!
Extractor fan
Extractor fans are extremely useful during the summer for reducing the temperature and humidity levels in the conservatory. Although many believe extractor fans are noisy and disruptive, technological advances have changed this, making them virtually unnoticeable while they do their job. More complex extractor systems are able to monitor humidity and temperature and adjust unit’s output accordingly, keeping the room nice and fresh without you having to get up and change anything. Remember that if you cook meals in your conservatory, your extractor fan will need to be powerful in order to cope with the excess condensation, heat and smells!
At Unicorn Windows, our team of experts understand the ins and outs of planning a conservatory and will ensure that ventilation is thoroughly taken care of. This means you won’t have to worry about condensation during the winter or humidity during the summer – simply relax and enjoy the view while you stay protected from the elements!