A conservatory is ideal for observing your garden while sipping a cold drink on a hot summer afternoon. In fact, you will enjoy the conservatory as you entertain your family and guests throughout a long summer’s evening. It’s a welcome addition to many homes across the United Kingdom.
But when the leaves turn brown or orange and the temperatures drop, many homeowners tend to leave those same conservatories unloved and unused. In fact, the arrival of winter or autumn should not mean that you should miss out on observing the season changes from your own garden or not use that extra space in your home. You can use the conservatory all year round with a few tweaks and changes. This article provides important tips on how to enjoy your conservatory all year round.
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Do you own an all-year-round conservatory?
The first thing to know about your conservatory is whether you can use it all year round.
- Does the temperature gets too hot during the summer season or do you have to take a break during the colder and darker months? If you have to take a break, why?
- Are winter afternoons too cold to bear even when you have a warm brew and a blanket in your hand?
- Is your garden south or north facing?
- Does the temperature inside the conservatory stay chill consistently or does it reach a boiling point?
- Can you feel a draught?
- Is the roof on top of the conservatory too noisy when the rain comes down?
- Or, does the roof leak thanks to the unpredictable nature of weather in the UK or the joint or seal you have been waiting to fix?
In case, you have to abandon the conservatory from time to time due to whatever reason, you can transform it into an all-weather conservatory to be used all year round with a few practical and cost-effective modifications.
How do you make a conservatory usable all year round?
You should use a few warming and cooling energy-efficient upgrades to turn your fair-weathered conservatory into an all-year-round unit. These handy tips will help manage the conservatory temperature more efficiently so that you enjoy the atmosphere inside the conservatory no matter the season.
Despite the traditional appeal, the sky’s the limit with regard to interior conservatory design. You can amend your furnishings and decor to match the season or purpose of your conservatory as often as you like too.
Conservatory Location
The location of the conservatory in your garden can affect the way it collects and retain heat throughout the day. In fact, west or south-facing conservatories warm up throughout the day but need additional ventilation by way of opening windows, doors, or vents during the summer season in order to maintain a comfortable temperature.
On the other hand, east and north-facing conservatories are more vulnerable to cooler temperatures. It’s because of the direction of the cooler easterly breeze and the lack of direct sunlight. These units should benefit from extra insulation to keep them warm.
Conservatory Walls
Conservatory walls should be made up of 50% glass in order to be classified as a conservatory and remain free from building regulation reviews. Glass is considered a poor insulator and adds to the challenge of managing the temperature of your conservatory. You should consider installing a brick dwarf wall at the very base of the conservatory to limit the exposed glass when the sunlight shines during summer and the heat escapes in the winter. The brickwork should be insulated in order to further regulate the temperature of your conservatory all year round.
Conservatory Roof
An insulated roof with vents is ideal to use in your conservatory all year round. It helps keep the heat in when needed and reflect it when not needed.
