Conservatories
- Heat, light, ventilation and flooring
If you want to enjoy your conservatory
to the full you'll need to create
a comfortable and welcoming room
that can be used all year round
regardless of the weather...
Heating
Heating your conservatory should
be viewed no differently to the
heating of any other room in your
home. You want a solution that will
keep it at a comfortable temperature
in colder climes but won't cost
you the earth. Electric panel heaters
are cheap to install but are not
particularly cheap to run. Under
floor heating does not take up any
wall space and can be thermostatically
controlled for economical use. Extending
your existing central heating system
is a favoured option, with skirting
radiators or one single radiator
- all of which should be thermostatically
controlled to maintain night-time
temperatures. And, combination air-conditioning/
heating units offer an up-to-date
alternative.
Lighting
The key to effective lighting is
to utilise designs that suit the
internal roof and room structure
and create an ambience with wall,
ceiling and low level lighting.
A good tip is to choose lamp shades
that aren't susceptible to staining
or rotting, and they should always
face downwards to prevent any condensation
build up from coming into contact
with electrical connections.
Shading
To reduce the effects of the sun
and to protect furnishings from
the fading properties of UV rays,
window and, where necessary, roof
blinds can be fitted to your conservatory.
During winter, blinds can also act
as an additional insulating barrier
and help to keep heat in.
Ventilation
Conservatories can become unbearably
hot in the summer without adequate
ventilation and this should be an
important consideration, especially
for those contemplating a south
facing extension. Windows that can
be locked in a secure night ventilation
position, roof fans, roof vents
and air conditioning units are all
ways by which the temperature can
be kept at a more comfortable level.
Indeed some roof vents are thermostatically
controlled and open and close automatically
which is ideal for those leading
a busy lifestyle.
Flooring
If you're conservatory is going
to be a half way house between your
home and your garden then whatever
flooring you decide upon will need
to adequately weather any dirt that
is walked in as a result. Some of
the more commonly specified, hardwearing
and easy-to-clean options are:
- ceramic tiles
- terracotta or stone slabs
- hardwood
- sheet vinyl
- washable carpet tiles
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