Conservatory design ideas
If you are interested in adding a conservatory to your home be sure to gather information on different conservatory design ideas before hand. Being armed with all the information and a good idea of what you want is essential to the success of your project.
Conservatory design materials
A vital element to take into consideration when formulating conservatory design ideas is the materials you would like to use as, the materials not only have an effect on the overall style but fulfil different functions as well. The three main types of materials are PVC-U, Aluminium and Timber, with each material displaying its own benefits.
When making glazing decisions there are two main options you need to consider - Glass and Polycarbonate. Glass such as Pilkington Activ™ Blue is an excellent option as it provides a better view than polycarbonate, which can also become very dirty, very quickly. A glass roof is much quieter than polycarbonate in rain and hail. Fitting Pilkington Activ™ Blue is a great option as it is not only Self-cleaning but also provides solar control.
Conservatory positioning
When considering conservatory design ideas keep positioning in mind. In the northern hemisphere, south facing conservatories get the most year round sun. This can get a little too hot in summer but this can be countered by fitting your conservatory with Pilkington Activ™ Blue glass. This revolutionary glass not only promotes solar control - reflecting the sun's heat to stop the interior getting too warm but is self-cleaning as well. East facing conservatories get the morning sun and are ideal as breakfast rooms, while west facing conservatories receive good sunlight on summer afternoons and evenings, making them perfect to house plants which thrive on indirect sunlight. North facing conservatories don't get direct sunlight during the cold winter months, so you'll need good heating and insulation. In the summer these conservatories are warm and bright but they do not get direct sunlight.
Conservatory size and function
When thinking of conservatory design ideas keep in mind that the conservatory should suit the style of the house and not be a dominating feature but rather a natural extension of your home. An overly large conservatory on a relatively small house can appear garish so keep this in mind when you are researching conservatory design ideas.
Another important point to keep in mind when considering conservatory design ideas is the purpose your conservatory is being designed to fulfil. Whether you are looking at a conservatory for a dining room, sun room, kids play room or a greenhouse each will require something different. Consider the furniture you would like to decorate your conservatory with when planning conservatory design ideas. There's no use buying oversized furniture and then having a relatively small conservatory built.
Does the thought of a gorgeous glass conservatory appeal to you? We have all the information relating to glass you'll need to build your own glass conservatory on this site.