If your conservatory was built some time ago, or you moved into a property with an already ageing conservatory, you may not be spending much time inside it. Without modern materials and a few technological tweaks implemented, the time you can comfortably spend inside a conservatory can be minimal. If it’s too hot or too cold most of the time, here are several things you can do to turn it into a comfortable, everyday living space.
Take a look at the roof
What is it made out of? Is the glazing properly treated? What’s the level of light like inside? Another name for conservatories is, of course, ‘glass houses’, so you can understand why a conservatory would be easy to heat up or drastically cool down inside.
Guardian Warm Roofs are an increasingly popular choice for conservatory owners, essentially replacing the existing roof with something more akin to a normal domestic home roof – and ensuring heat loss through the roof is significantly reduced. Companies like Findley, roofers in South Shields, specialise in roofing solutions throughout the home – conservatories included.
Replace curtains with blinds
Blinds can not only keep out the glaring summer sun but also provide a little extra insulation. Curtains might do a great job of maintaining privacy, but they also keep heat inside wonderfully well – which is why people usually opt for curtains, or curtains and blinds, in bedrooms and other living areas. When combined with adequate lighting inside, blinds are a quick and convenient way to transform your conservatory from an ideal daytime or evening living area.
Consider the heating system
For a conservatory to become a genuine extension of the living space inside the rest of your home, it needs to have a proper central heating system fitted. Electronic heaters are okay, but ridiculously tough-to-manage temperature and the too-hot/too-cold conundrum are both likely to continue until the installation of radiators or even underfloor heating.
More than this, however, proper central heating inside the conservatory cuts down on the risk of damp building up and mould beginning to form.
Review the interior
How is your conservatory currently furnished? Is it just a few chairs and a table, maybe a couch? Is there a television that rarely gets used? How your conservatory is set up now may be a big part of the problem. If it’s not functioning as a living area, then it’s no wonder at all that it’s not getting as much use as you’d hope for. Ask yourself if you’d rather it was a home office, play space, dining area or workshop, and have a redesign of the contents and layout inside.
Also take a look below
Finally, although underfloor heating is an option, the surface of the floor itself could also be worth looking at. Tiles are naturally cold, while concrete slabs are known to absorb a great deal of thermal energy. Subsequently, covering is extremely important.
Wood flooring or carpets can be a great way to keep the heat inside at an optimal level all year round, although it’s worth checking for damp prior to amending any aspect of the flooring – especially if you’re considering carpeted flooring for your conservatory.
If you consider this – and the other tips above – before making any changes to your conservatory, you’ll have plenty to plan. From top to bottom to the interior itself, your conservatory will feel like a more pleasant environment in next to no time!
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