A conservatory is a great way to add some value to your property, and also provide you with an excellent place to relax with the family and enjoy the sun in the summer. While purchasing a conservatory is by far the most popular method for extending the living space in your home, a big decision such as this requires a lot of pre-planning. Here are the top 5 things you should consider before purchasing a conservatory to enable you to select an option which aligns perfectly with your requirements.
1) Functionality
Determining the purpose of your conservatory is the most important factor of all in the decision-making process. Popular reasons for purchasing a conservatory include: extending your property’s living space, providing an area to grow plants or providing an area for dining. If your reason is the latter, an elegant kitchen-extension with sliding doors might be the way to go. But if your conservatory is primarily for growing plants, you might consider a well ventilated greenhouse as the better option in order to provide the requisite amount of light for your plants to grow.
2) Positioning
A north-facing conservatory receives less sunlight, therefore it will be cooler and can become inappropriate for use during the frosty winter when the temperature plummets. Conversely, a south-facing conservatory, which receives more sunlight, can get very hot during the summer; so proper ventilation is required, usually in the form of roof vents and opening windows. Blinds may also be a welcome addition to a south-facing conservatory to avoid glare during the mid-afternoon sun.
3) Materials
The materials you use can dramatically impact the structural integrity of your conservatory, as well as the price! PVC is generally the cheapest option while timber-built conservatories are the most expensive. Materials must be chosen to complement the style of the rest of your property; PVC is generally more appropriate for contemporary properties while timber is a better fit for period properties. For the roofing, polycarbonate is the cheapest option, whereas glass roofing is more expensive. While polycarbonate is a reliable option, glass roofing is an excellent choice for reducing the sound of rain and retaining a pristine appearance with less maintenance.
4) Planning permission
In the UK, planning permission is not typically necessary when installing a conservatory; but this is not always the case. In order to check the rules and regulation pertaining to your specific case, it is best to contact your local authority (this can be done online via the government planning portal).
5) Glazing
There are many glazing options when choosing the glass for your conservatory, including: safety glass, heat reflective glass, self-cleaning glass and more. If you are considering purchasing a conservatory to provide an area for your children to play, safety glass is a good option since it is tough to penetrate. In the event that it is broken, safety glass shatters into tiny little pieces which present no harm to children. Alternatively, if you want your conservatory glass to stay looking clean for longer, a self-cleaning material might be the way to go. Self-cleaning glass features a hydrophilic coating, meaning that when rain water descends down the glass, it will loosen dirt particles and wash them away.
Choose what’s right for you
While purchasing a conservatory can be a difficult task, it’s important to make decisions which align with both the purpose for your conservatory and your budget. If you’re looking for some advice regarding the choice of a conservatory, don’t hesitate to get in contact so we can recommend the options which best fit your requirements.
(Photo by Christian Kitazume)