It’s lovely to be able to feel the rays of the winter sun on your skin through the glass windows in a conservatory. There’s no nicer way to spend an hour or two with a book.
But, let’s face it, unless you have a heater in there, it can get pretty cold.
@SagaUK says “Research has shown the average south-facing conservatory reaches a comfortable temperature for just two hours a day if there’s no fan in summer and no heating in winter.”
Having said that, burning fuel isn’t the only way to keep cosy in your conservatory. There are other things you can do to keep the winter chill out and ensure you get the use of your conservatory all year round. Here are some of those chill-prevention ideas right here: 6 ways to warm up your conservatory.
Get tiles with a high PEI rating
Tiles with a Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) grading have a hard glaze so will provide more insulation (and therefore help retain heat) than unglazed tiles, such as natural stone versions.
Check for draughts
Roof tiles can slip with harsher weather and winds. Glass doors too can become looser. In both scenarios, air can enter the conservatory without your knowledge. Because of this, it makes sense to have your roof looked over annually – certainly before your home is in the grip of winter when it’s often impossible to go up a ladder due to ice and other inclement weather conditions.
Install underfloor heating
Yes, it’s not an inexpensive option but, once you have underfloor heating, that’s it – you’ll be warmer in your conservatory for years to come. And we bet you’ll want it in other areas of your house where there are tiles or wood too, such as the bathroom or kitchen.
Lay down a rug
This will be warmer on your feet and add a sense of comfort to the room. Choose a contemporary bright orange, red or other colourful rug and your conservatory will ‘feel’ warmer too. You can always remove it when summer comes around. Then again, you could go the whole hog and have a carpet fitted.
Put up blinds
These will prevent warm air from escaping via the windows. Thick curtains will have the same effect as blinds in blocking escaping air – although they’ll be a lot more expensive and cumbersome to fit than blinds. There are some stunning contemporary blinds around right now that will add to the décor of your conservatory.
Get great glazing
Glass isn’t as insulating as brick, of course. Even triple glazing can’t beat it. But the see-through benefits of glass outweigh that and which is why conservatories and glass box extensions are so popular these days. The better your glazing, the warmer you’ll be in your conservatory, so, if you’ve had yours for some time then it may be worth considering getting it upgraded.
So, take on board some of the above tips and get the most out of your conservatory this winter.