When the family has outgrown the house, adding a conservatory may be a more economical solution than moving. In addition, in the unfavorable climate of the British Isles, winter gardens allow us to make the most of the garden, whether it is raining or not, so it is easy to understand their popularity.
Currently, a growing trend for large kitchens with a dining table or an informal living area has influenced how winter gardens and omeranes are connected to a home. If the conservatory is to accommodate a new open plan kitchen or living space, access to one door will be insufficient. Opening the back of the house in the winter garden requires significant structural changes that, although quite feasible, will keep in mind the planning rules.
Glass technology, which was first introduced in the era of Victoria, continues to evolve today; It is now possible to have glass that is self-cleaning, for example, Pilkington Active, or another that provides greater thermal insulation, for example, glass with low emissivity. According to Jeffrey Gold from Glass Houses, self-cleaning glass “definitely deserves attention because it does not require significant additional costs. We tend to point it at the roof, not at the front walls. ”
Before you start your project, you should think about the styles of the winter garden. The most effective are those who sympathize with the style or period of your home. You must also determine the use for the new room and decide how it will be accessible from home. First of all, you need to find a designer or contractor with whom you are comfortable and set a realistic budget.
Conservatory styles
traditional
Victorian and Edwardian conservatories and scanty versions remain popular and obviously correspond to the old properties. Variations include structures with full-height glass walls or dwarf glass walls. You might also consider a greenhouse; They were originally designed for growing orange trees and have a sturdy wall insert with glazed panels or full-size doors and a glazed roof. Jeremy Uglow explains: “The greenhouse has heavier carpentry than the usual conservatory, and a lantern on the roof, surrounded by a gypsum ceiling, to make a more fundamental structure.
Modern
Adding a bright, modern space to your home is becoming an increasingly popular option. Modern winter gardens, as a rule, are made to order, so prices, as a rule, vary from the middle to the upper part of the scale, but there are many different materials and styles. Alan West in Tromb points out that, as English Heritage often uses modern conservatories along buildings of the period, it is fair to say that sympathetic structures will work if they are well planned and executed.
Professional advice
The conservatory is a major financial investment, and the cost will vary depending on the building materials, whether it is from the standard range or on order, and on the amount that the construction work controls. DIY kits or winter gardens are initially less expensive, but the cost of labor on the site and installation should be taken into account in the equation. If you are not ready to supervise construction work, it is wise to use a specialized conservatory company that will manage all aspects of the project, including dealing with any planning or construction rules. At the top of the company, offering custom service, design a winter garden in accordance with individual requirements and exceed the construction work to completion.
Practical considerations
Heating
The conservatory can be heated with water or electrically heated floors. Alternatively, central heating can be expanded with radiators installed on low walls or passing through heat grids through decorative grids installed around the edge of the floor. It is advisable to use the heating conservatory on a separate circuit and thermostat on the main boiler.
Floors
It is recommended to use durable, durable floors; For best results, choose a ceramic tile or natural stone floor.
curtains
Use blinds to protect furniture, maintain a uniform temperature throughout the year and ensure privacy. There is a wide choice: retractable folding blinds, fabric roller blinds and polyurethane foam blinds made of strips of wood. The blinds must be made and installed by an expert to ensure they are properly supported, and it is recommended to install an operating system for high windows.
Garden
Allow a budget for creating good garden areas damaged by construction and planning, and install efficient garden lighting.
Other considerations
Glazing and roofing
It is advisable to use double glazing, as well as glass with low emissivity. It has a metallic coating that transmits sunlight (short wave radiation), but reflects heat from the radiators (long wave radiation) back to the winter garden. Safety glazing is required for windows and walls within 800 mm from the floor and must comply with BS6206. Roofing can be either glass or polycarbonate, which is a lighter but durable material and may be required in some designs that will not support the weight of the glass.
Conservatory service
The installer should inform you about the maintenance; as a guide, wash heavy dirt on windows, aluminum and uPVC frames with a solution of soap and water every few months. Solvent-based solvents or abrasive cleaners should not be used, and wooden surfaces should also be regularly removed to remove surface contamination.
Ecological problems
It is also important to choose the right material for the framework of the conservatory. Traditionally used are hardwood, aluminum or uPVC. However, Charles Turner of Richmond Oak says: “There is a growing concern about building materials used in winter gardens. Some councils now insist that only conservatories are used for new construction projects. ” This refers to the energy used to produce materials, and wood requires significantly less. But wood must come from a safe, non-endangered source. Consult the Friends of the Earth website, foe.co.uk, which classifies tree species so you can make an environmentally-friendly choice.
Useful contacts
The Conservatory Association is a division of the Glass and Glaze Federation (GGF), an independent organization that promotes high standards in the industry. To find a conservative GGF-approved company, visit ggf.org.uk or call 0870 042 4255. Federation of Glass and Glazing (GGF), 0870 042 4255; ggf.org.uk.
Building permit and building codes
According to the Conservatory Association, planning permission and building codes are often confused. “Planning permission refers to the visual impact and size of the structure, not technical integrity.” On the other hand, building codes cover all aspects of construction and are regularly reviewed - see Odpm.gov.uk for more information. It is important to verify that your contractor or designer is aware of the new rules. According to the Conservatory Association, planning permission is usually not required for small home conservatories, if they meet the building codes listed below. It is advisable to consult with your local planning department, since the rules may vary.
Instances when planning permission is required include:
“The house is located in a nature reserve, a national park or in a specially designated area of outstanding natural beauty.
“The Conservatory is not at ground level.
“This is a terraced house.
“The volume of the house will increase by more than 15 percent or 70 cubic meters, which will be more.
“The house has already been extended.
The Conservative Association advises that the conservatory is usually exempted from building codes, if it is:
“Built in the inner dwelling and separated from the rest of the house by a door that meets the requirements for the outer door.
“Area up to 30 sq. M.
“One floor.
“Built on the ground floor level.
“Glazing in accordance with the requirements of the safety glazing of the approved document N building codes and BS6262 Part 4 1994.
“Not within 1 m from the border.
“Equipped with a roof that is covered with 75%, and the walls with 50% glazed.
