Conservatories have long been a popular addition to homes across the South West, offering a light filled space that connects the indoors with the outdoors. Traditionally seen as a summer retreat or garden room, many homeowners wonder whether a conservatory can truly be used all year round, especially in the face of the UK’s famously unpredictable weather. However, conservatory can absolutely be a year round living space, but it depends on the design choices and materials used. With the right improvements and considerations, your conservatory can remain comfortable through all seasons, offering valuable extra space that’s both functional and stylish.
The key to a conservatory you can enjoy throughout the year lies in its construction. The materials used and the design choices significantly impact its usability in different weather conditions.
The key to year round comfort in a conservatory lies in its thermal efficiency. Older conservatories, especially those built decades ago, often struggle with temperature extremes, too hot in summer and too cold in winter. Fortunately, modern technology and building standards have changed that.
Thermally efficient conservatories typically feature double glazing, which consists of two layers of glass with a gap in between, acting as an insulating barrier. This significantly reduces heat transfer, helping to keep the conservatory warmer in winter and cooler in summer. For even greater energy efficiency, triple glazing can be considered, offering an additional layer of insulation for enhanced thermal performance.
The type of roofing significantly affects how your conservatory regulates temperature. Polycarbonate roofs are affordable and practical, but they may not offer the best insulation. A more robust option is a Warm Room, or tiled conservatory roof, which not only enhances thermal efficiency but also integrates seamlessly with your home’s existing roof.
To use your conservatory in colder months, efficient heating solutions can be added to improve comfort. Underfloor heating is an excellent option that provides even heat distribution without taking up wall space. Another option is to install discreet radiators that can be regulated to ensure a comfortable temperature throughout the year.
To avoid your conservatory becoming too hot in the warmer months, adequate ventilation is crucial. Roof vents, which can be manually or electrically operated, allow hot air to escape quickly. Good ventilation helps in maintaining a comfortable temperature and improving air quality inside your conservatory.
Ensuring your conservatory is well-maintained is crucial to its year round usability. Regular cleaning of the glass, checking the seals for leaks, and ensuring the guttering is clear are all important tasks.
Keeping the windows clean not only improves visibility but also maximises heat efficiency, as dirty windows can reduce sunlight penetration. Use a gentle, non abrasive cleaner and soft cloth to avoid damaging coatings or scratching the glass.
Periodically check and replace any old or worn seals to keep your conservatory draught free and dry. Well maintained seals also help with insulation, which could reduce energy costs over time.
Clear out leaves and debris from the conservatory gutters to prevent water build up and ensure there are no leaks. Blocked gutters can lead to water damage around the roofline and even cause internal damp issues if left unchecked.
Transforming your conservatory into a year round space is about combining practicality with aesthetics. At Techniglaze, we understand the importance of a personalised approach to make your conservatory suitable for all seasons. Our designs consider not just seasonal functionality but also how they blend with your home’s style and your personal needs.
If you’re considering adding a conservatory to your home or wanting to upgrade an existing one, get in touch with us today! Our team is ready to help you create a beautiful, functional space that you can enjoy anytime, regardless of the weather outside.
We are delighted with the windows, and have already been complimented by our neighbours on the upgrade.
Tyler and Paul were very professional and showed good initiative for the inevitable adjustments that needed to be made. They were particularly considerate of our house, it’s character and our pets! Please pass on our thanks and comments as appropriate.
We are delighted with the windows. As you know we were concerned that they would look different and more “clunky” but really you can’t tell the difference except that the new ones are not falling apart!!! The guys who did the fitting were also good. They were working in freezing fog, really cold but they carried on regardless, they were extremely tidy and cleared up after themselves.
I am delighted with the recent installation, it’s good to look out of clear windows. The work was carried out professionally by two excellent gentleman.
I will not hesitate to contact you when I am ready to replace others, also would certainly recommend you to others.
Really impressed with the customer service and professionalism from everyone at Techniglaze. Especially liked the follow up call after our doors were fitted to make sure we were happy. Would definitely recommend.
Excellent. This company really care about doing a great job. Roger and Keith have been very helpful and explaining things in detail that a lay person may not understand.
Excellent customer service, range of products and attention to detail. I honestly can’t rate them highly enough. They stepped in and came to the rescue after Salisbury glass cost us 8 months of time and 100k in increased material costs.
These guys have been great to us. Helped us out at short notice after we were badly let down by another supplier. We asked for several minor details that were not standard (e.g. different locking mechanisms), and they were flexible and open to ideas. We ended up also commissioning our front door from them; it is super sturdy and beautiful. Always courteous, professional, and good payment terms.
First class service for my window repair, with tricky access issues and a large, heavy glazed unit to install. Really glad I chose this company.
I was looking for a company that could deliver a bespoke pair of roof lights in the Alitherm system. Techniglaze offered the best price and worked with us to ensure the sizes were exactly right and conducted the sales process very professionally. The product is first class and we are exceptionally pleased with the service and product. I can highly recommend Techniglaze.
