Choosing the right Conservatory

Choosing a beautiful conservatory...
...is a relatively easy way to improve your home and lifestyle but you must take care to choose the correct product.
The days of locking your garden furniture in the conservatory and not going near for the winter are long gone.
New technology has produced high performance glass options and lead free, colour fast PVC-u frames – this coupled with the latest roof technology means a quality conservatory will be used all year round.

Below are the Affordable Windows Top Tips to help you choose the right conservatory.

Whether you are thinking of investing in a conservatory as a “chill-out” room, an office, a place to dine under the stars or a nursery room for the kids to relax and play – take a look at our top tips to help you through the process and make your choice easier.

1. Why choose a conservatory?
To create additional space we generally have 3 options – move home, build an extension or choose a conservatory. Our budget normally makes this choice for us, and today a Conservatory is part of everyday lifestyle for many households in the UK.

2. How will you use your conservatory?
Planning the use of your conservatory will help determine the size, the design, and materials. Always add the “what if” factor – design to suit your needs but consider other people uses should you decide to move at a later date.

3. Where to get ideas.
Visit showrooms and garden centres for design ideas, if you wish to view the real thing instead of a printed brochure. Ask friends and family for their views if they  have a conservatory.

4. Which design?
Your choice of design is important, so make sure that it is in keeping with your property and that the size is balanced.

5. Estimate or quotation?
Check the wording – an estimate is what is says…the price could go up or down – generally upwards! A quotation will stay – but check the specification.

PVC-u profiles may look the same externally but the weight and strength can differ considerably between systems. All PVC-u should be colour fast but the lead stabiliser used can cause discolouration – some systems do not use lead and cannot discolour – KOMMERLING is one

Roof systems do vary in quality and price.

Foundations can be of standard building construction or prefabricated bases which are cheaper.

7. Local or National?
Local companies generally provide better service and value for money. If they buy from a large national company the quality of products are likely to be higher than if made locally in a small factory.

8. Heating & Ventilation
Traditionally radiators can be  used but they do not answer the cooling problem in the Summer and take up valuable wall space. Under-floor heating is now more popular but expensive, split air conditioning systems are not expensive and will provide heating in winter at 30% of the cost of conventional electric radiators in addition to cooling in summer.

Conservatories can become quite warm  and therefore ventilation is extremely important. Using top hung windows in the design, provide ventilation and also add to security.  Most roofs are ventilated and either polycarbonate or glass can be used. The polycarbonate roofing materials are supplied in a series of colours - clear, bronze or opal. Safety glass is quieter when it rains but heavier and more expensive. Self cleaning glass is also available for the roof with solar control to mimimise heat build-up.

Other options that help your comfort include fans which can look attractive and circulate warm and cooler air throughout the seasons. There are also new materials available which can reduce the heat gain or loss by 50%.

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