It is a well-known fact that adding a conservatory to your home is one of the best ways to add a versatile room downstairs, increase the floor space of your home, and increase its value. Conservatory designs can be bought off the shelf or you can have one designed to your specifications, but no matter how the design is decided upon, it is still possible to overlook some basic necessities for a great space. Here we will look at the most common mistakes people make with their new conservatory.
Ventilation
A conservatory needs to be comfortable, and a boiling hot room will not be comfortable. Ventilation is a must in a conservatory, and supplying it is easy enough. Fans and vents can be fitted around the room, or a roof window could be fitted to remove the hot air. If you choose vents and fans, make sure they are big enough for the floor area before installation, and. tealproducts.com provide window openers & window actuators that will suit a conservatory window that you cannot access in the ceiling.
Heating
One of the most common mistakes that people make when they build their conservatory is to forget about heating. In the summer days the heat will take care of itself, but why would you deny yourself the use of your new room all year round? The simplest choice is to have a radiator fitted inside the conservatory, but you should also take energy efficiency into account when deciding on your glass as this will have a big effect. Another idea that is becoming more popular is under floor heating, though if you decide on this option, you may need to rethink your flooring choice. For the cost of some piping and a radiator, you can have a room that you can use in winter nights as well as the summer days, and enjoy your conservatory 24/7
Shade
The glare of the sun is not everybody’s cup of tea, and sitting in your conservatory under the midday sun could be unpleasant and unhealthy (see here for some fascinating reading about UV rays and glass). Again, with a bit of forward thinking, you can make your conservatory much more user friendly. The type of roof you choose will be important and the choices are usually glass or polycarbonate. If you choose glass, you should look for glass that will protect you from UVA and UVB rays. Your conservatory roof could be heavily tinted, but I would suggest a retractable sun shade, as you will have control over when you want the light streaming in or when you want a more shaded atmosphere. These are available as electric items so at the flick of a switch you can be bathing in sunlight or sitting in the shade.
Flooring
Most conservatories are built on the back of a home and become the gateway to the garden. Remembering this, it is vital that you consider the flooring you use. People make the mistake of treating their floor choice in the same way as they would a lounge; however, your choice should take into consideration the fact that the floor will undoubtedly become wet, dirty, and will see a lot of traffic. Carpet is usually a bad choice as it will take too much cleaning and will need to be replaced regularly. Hardwood floors will last longer, but will need regular maintenance to keep looking good and to keep it resistant to the moisture it will encounter. Ceramic tiles or stone floors will be hard wearing, resistant to moisture (here is a great article on sealing any stone floor) and relatively maintenance free. My choice would be ceramic tiles as you can find them in so many shades and patterns, but for a more exotic finish, there are some beautiful stone floors that are suitable; especially granite which is so water resistant.
Adding a conservatory to your property could cost you a lot of money, so you want to get it right first time. If you avoid making these mistakes, the chances are that you will.
Uploaded 19th March 2015