Nothing compares to the atmosphere of a conservatory in providing a bright, calming and relaxing place in which to spend time. A little sunshine, whatever the season, will flood the room with light and warmth – uplifting the spirit and providing for many of our clients the most used room in the house.
Whether your conservatory is designed with full length glazed panels and doors or built with a solid low wall, you will experience a new appreciation of the outdoors. The garden can be enjoyed in all weathers, at all times of the year from the comfort and seclusion of the conservatory.
Most people use conservatories as extension to their living space; a place to eat, socialise or relax, and the direction your conservatory faces will have an impact on the choices you make regarding heating and sun screening. Technology has helped considerably over the years in making glazed structures more comfortable and these light filled spaces can be enjoyed all year round.
Heating a conservatory is important and designing adequate heating is essential in gaining continual use from your room. There are various types of under-floor heating available – either a warm floor system which transfers heat across the whole of your floor to heat the room, or a traditional trench and floor grille system. We manufacture our own floor grille system with two different grille patterns available. This system can work either spurred off existing water pipes or through electric finned convectors. Radiators are also a good method of heating your conservatory and these can be concealed behind radiator covers which can also be designed to provide an attractive window seat.
Although the general idea of adding a conservatory is to appreciate the light and airy atmosphere, there are times in the height of summer when shade may be a requirement – particularly if your room faces south. For a traditional look, we recommend Pinoleum blinds which are made of woven natural material. They can be manually or automatically controlled and are suitable for both the roof and side windows. Pinoleum blinds add a pretty, dappled light to the room without totally blocking the sun out and are also useful in helping to control temperature. Pinoleum blinds are available in the same colour palette as our Vale paints which helps to co-ordinate colour schemes within the room.
Lighting will be an important factor in creating mood and ambience in your room. At night, certain lighting will give off a considerable amount of reflection and therefore low-level lighting will minimise this. Down lights set within the inset box gutters will provide subtle and effective lighting within your room.
Modern living and busy family life has resulted in the kitchen becoming one of the favourite rooms in the home. It can be a relaxing and informal space where recreation and work go hand in hand. A sunny cheerful kitchen is almost everyones ideal and a kitchen conservatory can provide just that. It can be used at all times of the day by all members of the family for a wide range of purposes.
A conservatory placed directly off the kitchen is one of the most popular positions for any new glazed addition. The conservatory forms a multifunctional extension to this central point of activity. Families can communicate easily between the two areas with members having their own personal space, yet retaining the feeling of unity.
If planning a kitchen conservatory, you need to consider several important factors. Try to plan the layout to ensure that services, electrics and heating make practical sense. Making the most of space may not allow for radiators, therefore under-floor heating is an excellent option. Wall space will be extremely valuable and designing sections of solid wall into the design will allow position for wall mounted cupboards.
Sitting room conservatories are designed to be rooms where you escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, unwind or spend quality time with friends and family.
As with any living room, the choice of flooring, furniture and lighting will have a great effect on the mood of the conservatory and will dictate the degree of comfort, style and individuality achieved.
Eating is a time when we can sit and take time to relax - start the day with breakfast, take a lazy lunch or unwind over dinner in the evening. Whether dining alone or entertaining friends, it is generally an enjoyable occasion which can be enhanced significantly by creating the perfect environment in which to spend this time. Whether dining is formal or informal, a conservatory will create an atmosphere that is a totally unique experience. Clever and subtle use of lighting will add to the ambience for evening entertaining.
For the keen horticulturalist, a conservatory or orangery makes way for a new dimension in gardening. A wide variety of species thrive in conservatory conditions and tender and exotic plants can be nurtured and appreciated. A room dedicated to the enjoyment of plants can be a sensory delight with scented flowers, a profusion of colour and an ever changing backdrop.
Conservatories make beautiful plant rooms but in order for them to be a success, ventilation and achieving adequate air movement within the room must be an important consideration in the design stages. Also, consider where you would like to position your plants as you may wish to consider open beds within the floor for climbers, or wider window sills for plant pots etc.
