A conservatory is a room with glass walls and a glass roof, which is attached to a house. According to the Department of Environment, a conservatory is defined as “a building that has not less than 75% of its roof area made of semi-transparent material, and not less than 50% of its wall area made of glass.” A conservatory is also referred as a place to store something, i.e., food. It can be used as greenhouse also.

The conservatories are used in UK homes to make them look elegant, i.e., attractive, graceful, stylish and multi-functional. A conservatory can be made of expensive woods like oak, maple, mahogany, cedar and modern materials like plastic or glass. Plastic or glass conservatories are more popular because they provide maximum insulation for heat and are important for energy efficiency.

There are different types of conservatories used by homes in UK. These four type of conservatories are famous for their elegant exteriors and classic designs.

1. Victorian Conservatory:
This type of conservatory has elegant interior and exterior finishes that made with aluminium.

2. Gazebo Conservatory:
This conservatory is a small roofed building providing shade and rest. It is an ornamental garden pavilion, designed to allow light and air inside it. Gazebo conservatory is constructed of light metal or wood.

3. Georgian Conservatory:
Georgian architecture was the style of the 18th century, especially from the reign of King George I who ascended the throne in 1711, into the reign of King George IV. In residential settings, Georgian design as the red brick house, with courses and cornices of white stone and trimmings of white painted woodwork, is best example of Georgian design still prevailing in the 21st century. With the early Georgian period, the conservatory itself was first fashioned by the Dutch as a way of protecting plants from harsh winter conditions. In little time, the conservatory was introduced in the British Empire and became a standard fixture in the splendid Georgian mansions constructed during the reigns of the four King Georges.

4. Edwardian Conservatory:
This conservatory is structured with 45 degree corner facets and have beautiful ceilings which are usually made of stained glass. An Edwardian conservatory is constructed with convectional styles.

Another type of conservatory which is best for sunny regions is the Sunroom kind which has unique architectural designs with beautiful framed windows and multi-lock mechanisms on their doors. Sunroom conservatories are constructed with polycarbonated roofs for increasing insulation and light diffusion control.

Conservatories are usually versatile. It can also be used for different purposes according to season. During hot summer, a conservatory can allow fresh air to enter while keeping insects out. They can also be made into greenhouses because they are built to absorb the external warmth around them and release it inside the room. The other rooms on homes which are not frequently used can also be made into sunroom and can be controlled with their cooling and heating system.

Lastly, the conservatories not only add up extra room for UK homes but also makes the home more valuable because the real estate brokers usually put high values to these homes due to their versatility, elegance and convenience.

Choosing the right conservatory supplier is a crucial decision. So there are several things to consider while deciding. Some of these are:

1. Experience

An experienced supplier can give you advice and guidance when it comes to decide what’s the best choice for your home. You have to consider the shape, size, placement of windows, conservatory doors etc. The supplier can alter the standard designs and freeze a standard size or go for a bespoke size.

2. Options

There are many options available while designing a good conservatory. A good supplier offers a wide range of options with best possible solutions when you are in a confused state, like you have seen another property, got attracted to it and can’t accommodate that design in your case.

3. Price

The price of a conservatory is to be considered as an important factor. Make sure you have a clear picture of your maximum budget because often the landed cost of a conservatory is more than you have thought earlier. Also provide for extras like fittings and accessories and do not spend all you have got on the basic conservatory only.

4. Internet

You can get a lot of information about your conservatory and the supplier profile by checking up the Internet. Follow it up with a call to the supplier and verify details as sometimes, the website may not have been recently updated. While you should carefully consider the options presented by the vendor, do not get too excited by a great sounding offer and deviate too much from your initial decision.

5. Customer Support

Warranties, guarantees and after sales customer support should be an important part of selecting the right conservatory supplier. We need assurance and support from suppliers in case of any manufacturing defect or a sudden deformation in your conservatory, you should have recourse to a remedy at none or a small cost.

6. References

Get references. Check out your neighbourhood or a friend. Social media on the Internet is a great reference source. You have to make sure that the vendor offers quality products and takes responsibility and quick action when things go wrong.

Most of the conservatories are quite large and take time to clean. The cleaning can be done by breaking the job into smaller, more manageable tasks like:

Job 1) clean glass,

Job 2) clear guttering of garbage,

Job 3) clean framework etc.

We can also break the jobs down further into inside and outside tasks to make our work easy.

The following procedures should be considered while cleaning our conservatory.

Procedure 1:

Remove plant material like leaves, twigs etc from gutters, because it can severely limit surface drainage, providing a moisture rich environment for moss and algae, and in severe cases if it is left unattended then it can lead to panels and roofs moving.

Procedure 2: Cleaning the roof

The roof of your conservatory takes a beating from the elements like rain, wind, snow and ice which can all carry small particles of dirt. This cause dirt buildup and reduces the light coming into you conservatory. This is also the perfect breeding ground for algae, which gives your conservatory an unattractive green coat.

Procedure 3: Cleaning the glass.

The window of your conservatory will become dirty just like the window in the rest of your home and it should be cleaned up properly and regularly.

Procedure 4: Cleaning the framework.

Over time, the framework of your conservatory will pick up dirt and grim, and should be cleaned at regular intervals to keep that gleaming “new” look.

INSIDE THE CONSERVATORY

Procedure 5:

The internal framework and glass is in much harsher conditions than the external. Many of the pollutants are much more concentrated compared to outside. If you live in a house where someone smokes, your conservatory can be exposed to enormous amounts of smoke and nicotine which results in unsightly yellow stain after sometime.

While cleaning your conservatory, safety should be kept in mind. Make sure you are using the correct equipment for the task in hand and if you don’t have the correct equipment for the job, please don’t even attempt any of the tasks mentioned. There are many conservatory cleaning companies out there, who can provide a thorough and professional service.

These companies can provide maintenance services covering:

• Cleaning and lubricating locks, handles, hinges

• Cleaning roof panels

• Cleaning and impregnating seals

• Replace double glazed units

• Cleaning roof ventilators

• Roof and glass cleaning

• Painting wooden and metal frames

Regular maintenance as per these guidelines can help you cut down on expensive conservatory repairs.

There are companies that specialize in developing roofing systems. Most of the conservatory installation companies purchase the roofs from the bigger companies that specialize in roofing systems.

In order to understand conservatory roofs, we must discuss its three different aspects separately.
• Glass
• Frames
• Ventilation

A. Glazing

There are two main types of glazing being used today—glass and polycarbonate.

Toughened safety glasses are used that comply with BBA standards. They must have the strength to withstand rain, storm and snowfall.

Sunrooms can get really hot when the sun is high up in the sky. Tinted glass is nowadays used to block some amount of light and helps in maintaining a pleasant environment inside.

Imagine relaxing in your atrium lounge watching the floating clouds above. Suddenly your view is blocked by a splash of bird dropping! What an unpleasant sight! It’s definitely not possible to climb atop a conservatory to wipe those stains here and there. What do you do? Self cleaning glass is the answer.

Self cleaning glass has a special coating that reacts with the UV rays of the sun to break down organic dirt deposited on the surface of the glass. This loosened dirt is washed away when it rains. The coating also helps in spreading the water droplets on its surface like a sheet so that it may dry faster. Thus there are no water droplet marks on the surface. Your glass is sparkling clean after a short shower.

All types of glass can be single or double glazed in various combinations according to the location and temperature requirements of the conservatory.

Polycarbonate—a substitute for glass is becoming very popular these days. It is a sturdy material that can stand against the weather. It is lighter than glass and does not require extra supports. Polycarbonate can be molded in any shape or size providing design freedom to architects.
Bronze and Opal tinted Polycarbonate is popular in various combinations to enhance the looks of the orangery. Bronze hides the dirt and opal creates an effect of white light inside the room, thus controlling temperatures.

All said and done, glass is still preferred by many for its shear transparency to light.

B. Roof Frames

Conservatory roof frames are made of wood, aluminum or UPVC. Wood has been the traditional material. But now-a-days, more and more roofing systems are being built with aluminum and UPVC.

Aluminum roof frames come with special polyester coating that give it a wooden effect of mahogany or oak. They are structurally the strongest. As aluminum is a good conductor of heat, there is no expansion or contraction due to temperature changes.

UPVC roofing of conservatories is now equally popular due to good design, colour and finish available in the market.

C. Ventilation

Ventilation is an important aspect of roof design. It helps in maintaining air circulation inside the room. Ventilation works on the basic principle of drawing in cool and fresh air from the doors and windows, and allowing the carbon dioxide containing warm air to escape through the air vents situated on or near the roofs.

Vertical air vents situated on the higher portions of the wall or on lantern top roofs are a popular choice as they do not let in rain. Alternatively, good quality roof vents are also available that are absolutely impermeable to air or water, when closed. High tech electronically operated roof vents fitted with thermostat and rain sensors can be bought if you can afford it.

a) Before finalizing your choice of vent, you must ensure that they gel in completely with your conservatory design and should not stand out. Vents are available in all types of materials, colors, designs and budgets.

b) Next quality of sealing, beading, system of opening and closing should be decided upon.

c) The type of glazing should be in accordance with the temperature you want to maintain in your orangery.

d) Determine ease of use.

e) Scientific installation with regard to positioning of the vents and cross ventilation of air should be
checked.

It is most important to shop around systematically for all suppliers of conservatories and their parts before settling on one.

Here are some tips for you to properly set about designing and installing your conservatory:

1. Demarcate the area in your garden where you are planning to set up the conservatory. Use pegs and strings. Layout the dining table, a sofa, some plants etc. Figure out how good it all looks. Try different plans unless you are satisfied with the layout.

2. Conservatories come in several designs – choose the one that will look great with your house while allowing enough space.

3. Hire an architect for bespoke conservatory design if you think one of the standard designs is not working out for you.

4. Avoid putting doors in front of the conservatory – this creates a corridor reducing the layout options.

5. Take cheap quotations with a pinch of salt: The supplier giving the cheapest quotation will hardly ever offer good product or service. You need to remember this and get about three quotations, get an idea of the prevailing prices and judiciously choose from among them.

6. Lead conservatory off much used rooms: You should lead your conservatory off the kitchen or living room or any other oft used rooms.

7. Set conservatories as high as floors of home: Ensure that the conservatory floor height is the same as that of the floors of your house.

8. Ascertain the credibility of the material suppliers. Poor material may cost less initially but will cause much hassle later.

Remember, you need to take special care about your conservatory installation as this will probably turn out to be your largest and most expensive home improvement venture.

With the advancement in science and technology, in an era when man is thinking of settling on the moon, why leave our poor homes in the shackles of age old wooden and aluminum frames. As if the doors and windows do not already take up considerable effort and expenses in cleaning and repairing. To think of an entire conservatory in wood can be quite old fashioned and expensive.

PVC or PolyVinylChloride has revolutionized the home and construction industry. PVC has become a part of our lifestyle from small things such as torches and table mats to big things as pipes and doors. Improvements in PVC brought UPVC or Unplasticised PolyVinylChloride. UPVC is hardened PVC which is used in making doors, windows and conservatory frames. This material commands certain advantages that have contributed to its popularity and surge in demand.

Occasional cleaning with soapy water is all that is required to keep it sparkling. The colors do not fade or peel. No need to repaint after a couple of years. Combined with self cleaning glass, they are the ultimate solution for the conservatory where climbing the roof top is difficult.

Non reactivity to water prevents swelling, rusting, rotting or warping. It is built to resist strong winds, stroke and sunlight. The corners are made extra strong to prevent deformation.

The UPVC profiles allow for single, double or even triple glazing of conservatories. Double Glazing insulates the conservatory against heat loss, thus saving on energy bills. It also prevents the buildup of fog during rains. Double Glazing is nowadays becoming a standard in wooden and aluminum conservatories too.

The profiles are constructed on state of the art machines. They do not have gaps for rain water to seep in. There is no risk of leaky roofs. Its molecules do not allow permeability of sound waves. Thus, your neighbors are not disturbed when you party. And the car honks do not disturb you while you study or relax.

They come in variety of designs and colours that will make your orangery gel with your existing house. You can also opt for wood grain finish on the exterior and/or in the interior making it look like a wooden orangery. UPVC can be made from recycled plastic, thus making it eco-friendly. uPVC is not easily inflammable. It requires very high temperatures for it to catch fire. Thus it helps in stopping the spread of fire.

Whatever be the benefits, PVCU takes a back seat in terms of look and feel. It cannot match the grandeur of wood or the sophistication of aluminum conservatories! They are good insulators, but not as warm as wood. They are strong, but cannot withstand weather conditions as much as aluminum. They are available in various design and colour combinations, but do not provide a canvass to an architect’s imagination.

There have been complaints of UPVC conservatories causing excessive glare. The original roof design, projection and location should be checked to avoid too much of direct sunlight. External coatings that reflect UV rays should be used.

That taken care of, all other things that go into building a good conservatory automatically fall into place when you use uPVC as your material of choice.

The following types of doors are available in the market:

• Bi-folding doors—These doors consist of 2-3 framed panels that are joined by hinges. When opened fully, they fold onto each other in a zigzag manner. They are very useful in large conservatories with big openings from the outside. They allow a lot of people to enter the garden room at the same time. It is possible to open the door only as much as required.
• Tilt and Slide Doors—These are the most innovative doors available today. It tilts horizontally like a see-saw——allowing in fresh air and sunlight and protecting from rain. Alternatively, it can also slide against a fixed side panel, allowing free passage to people and furniture.
• French doors – The classic double doors can be adapted to any home, style and size. They can be made to open either inwards or outwards. Width of the doors can be increased for larger openings to give a royal look. Unlike other doors, they give 100% access to passage. Very popular as conservatory main doors leading to the garden. Smaller versions also used as side doors and back doors.
• Inline Sliding doors — Commonly referred to as patio-doors. Consist of 2-3-4 sashes that slide on rails and collect to one side when fully open. Can open up to ¾th of the door aperture. There is no wastage of space. Widely used as doors joining the home and the garden.
• Single-swing doors — These doors may open to an angle of 180 degrees. Here again, there is no space wasted.
• Quad doors with screens (twice the opening for maximum access and ventilation)— it is like an extension of French doors in the form of two bi- folding doors.

Sunrooms are built with a motive of obtaining maximum natural light and air. Keeping this in mind, the doors are made of transparent material such as glass or uPVC. The type of glass used for doors and windows of conservatories is toughened glass with single, double or triple glazing.

Glazing is a process by which two sheets of glass (say of 4 mm thickness) are sealed with a gap of 16mm. This gap is filled with Argon Gas. The double glass makes it harder to break in. And the Argon gas prevents loss of heat from within the house. Even PVC doors and windows come with glazing options.

No matter how much of light is required, the glass used for the doors and windows need not be plane and jane. Decorative glass such as – Diamond /Rectangular leads, coloured glass, stained or beveled glass, sandblasted glass and transfers may be used.

The door frames and rails are made of wood, aluminum or PVC. Wood has been a traditional choice for conservatory doors and windows not only for its warmth and aesthetic looks, but also for its insulating properties. However, it is expensive and requires regular maintenance. Aluminum is used in garden rooms mainly used for keeping plants. Modern sliding doors, French doors and tilt and turn doors in aluminum give a contemporary look. Improved versions of unplasticised polyvinylchloride (uPVC) provide a combination of aesthetics, safety, insulation and least maintenance.

It is important to have answers to the following issues before deciding on the type of door to install in your garden room:

• Drainage issues must be discussed thoroughly with the door providing company. Modern doors are constructed in a manner that addresses the problem very well. It makes the doors last longer.
• Energy saving options must be explored. Special type of film coating reflects back UV rays of the sun. Double and triple glazing make the doors and windows better insulators. Blinds are used to save the sunroom from getting unnecessarily hot.
• Safety features of the doors and windows have to be enumerated. Each and every aspect of the doors, from the hinges to the mounting of glass, from beading to the putty line, from handles to multipoint locking system have to be built so that it may protect the house from break-ins.

Keeping in mind the above points, one can go a long way in selecting the right door for their conservatory.

A conservatory essentially consists of the following—

1) Glass roofs, walls, doors and windows. The material used here is not the normal glass, but special safety glasses that are single, double or triple glazed.

2) Frames in which the glass is to be set. Frames may be made of wood, aluminum or plastic (UPVC). They may be simple and elegant or designer and exotic.

3) Opaque material like brick, stone or wooden walls and panels used in some places to create different look, as well as to increase privacy and security.

4) Flooring may consist of cement, ceramic tiles or wooden floor boards.

5) Locking system and child proof handles.

All conservatories are basically permutations, combinations, modifications and improvements of these elements.

A house is a product of an architect’s imagination and its inmates’ lifestyle. Ditto for an orangery, that becomes as much a part of the house. The following factors need to be taken into account while designing or choosing a conservatory:

1) Purpose: It is important to clearly define what the conservatory is going to be used for. Originally, it was used to grow tropical plants, safeguarding it from extreme weather conditions. Gradually, it became popular as banquet halls. Today, it is used as a cosy living room with a view!

The design, location and materials will vary according to the purpose. If plants are to be kept, flooring that allows for water spillage should be used.

2) Location: An atrium can be built on any open empty space around our house. South facing sunrooms are preferred for more sunlight and warmth. North facing atriums require more insulation. It is practical to have the conservatory open towards the garden. Building it as an extension of the kitchen or dining area is useful. Creating it as an entrance lounge is savvy.

3) Budget and Finance: Budgets have veto power on conservatory decisions. Research the market well for different types of conservatory and material prices. Check the promotions and offers that are available. Watch for guarantees and quality considerations. Cheap financing options from banks and housing societies are also common. Fix an appropriate budget that can accommodate your dream conservatory. Size and materials can be varied to suit budgets.

4) Design of the existing house: An atrium should blend in completely with the present house and should not look like a forced extension. The colour of the conservatory, the material of the walls and the shape of the roof should ideally match that of the house.

5) Size of the conservatory: The size should be in sync with the size of the house, budget and the requirements. Sunrooms need not be too big as the transparent roofs and large windows give an abundance of light and an impression of spaciousness.

6) Placement of doors and windows: Wise placement of the door that opens towards the garden or pathway can enhance the utility and decor of the atrium. Windows opening in the direction of the breeze increase air circulation. The entrance of the orangery from the house should be wide. This allows the light to spread into the house. Also provides easy accessibility and a good view.

Some predefined standard conservatory designs are as follows—
a) Edwardian/ Georgian conservatories are simple rectangle shaped sunrooms with pitched top and dwarf brick walls. Ideal for both plants as well as living rooms. Dwarf walls help conceal furniture. Long window sills provide shelf space.

b) Gable fronted conservatory gives an exotic look with curved roof frames, in the shape of sunrise. High roofs give a sense of space.

c) Victorian conservatory has the roof glazing spread out in a circular shape like the playing cards held in one hand. This allows sunlight from all directions.

d) Orangeries that have high brick walls and pillars tend to gel more with the house. They are like a brightly lit room of the house.

e) Lean – towards atriums have a low pitched roof. They are contemporary, practical and low budget. Are good where high roof conservatories are not possible.

f) Bespoke conservatories are tailor made to the requirements of the owner. They can be made economical or elaborate. Innovative layouts include P-shaped, L-shaped and T-shaped. These shapes allow the conservatory to be used for dual purposes at the same time.

It is very much possible to design conservatories by altering the above patterns and adapting it to suit your requirements. So which one is your dream conservatory?

The conservatory furniture is available in a wide variety like cane, wooden and metal furniture. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages and you should carefully weigh your options in terms of durability, looks and price before finalising one. You can keep the following in mind while making your decision:

• The cane furniture with fabric or leather furnishings on the seating is a good economic choice. Cane being natural is a good fit for an outdoor place like the conservatory. It is very maintenance friendly and most of the time, a dry wipe should suffice.
• The temperature in the conservatories varies a lot – from very hot to very cold. Some type of furniture like plastic can get bent or deformed with long exposure to direct sunlight, so you should avoid those.
• The weight and size of the individual items will also play a major role in your choice as you may have to move them around at times. Moving around heavy items of furniture can also damage the flooring. So you have to be cautious and use rugs etc. to protect the floor.
• Blinds are very useful in the conservatories. They can add to your privacy and security by covering up the inside of your conservatory. In summer, it can be used to block the sunlight from heating up the inside, saving on the air-conditioning bill.

I am sure you will be able to take a well informed decision and choose a high quality, matching furniture for your conservatory, enhancing its look and your pleasure.