All-Year Conservatory Ideas

As the colder weather is here, many conservatories are falling into disuse as they are not adequately heated. This is sadly the case for many of our loyal customers who beforehand were not aware of how to manage conservatories being too hot in summer or too cold in winter. Here’s our top tips on how to make your conservatory an all year round space.

Look at the positioning of your conservatory

Where your conservatory is positioned can actually have a huge effect on how much heat that it retains. Conservatories that face to the south or west retain more head during the day as more sunlight is retained in the window panes. Ones that face north or east tend to suffer from cold easterly winds and so do not absorb heat from sunlight. This may benefit you more during the summer, but the goal is to turn your conservatory into an all year round space.

Consider changing the makeup of your conservatory

We don’t mean cracking out the eyeliner. In order to be considered a conservatory, the structure needs to be at least 50% glass. This leaves you a few options with materials to balance the temperature all year round. For instance, conservatory roofs made from polycarbonate can retain heat much more effectively although can be less energy efficient than double or triple glazed windows with insulating argon gas. This would make winter much more comfortable to spend in your conservatory, but gives you less options during summer. However polycarbonate is not the only option as you could also have a base brick wall to support your glass. This means less glass, but you would feel the benefit more in winter as you can insulate the brickwork. During summer, this also means there is less glass to attract the red hot sun. Apply a UV film over your windows to repel the UV rays from the sun that absorbs heat. Alternatively there are many other options for roofs, including solid tiled roofs which can blend perfectly into your home.

Maintain your conservatory

By this we mean ensuring that you open your conservatory windows and doors correctly. Not doing so or leaving them open and exposed to cold weather can lead to condensation and dampness. You could also undertake repairs to ensure any draughts from openings or cracks are filled up, fit draught excluders over doorways, and check that the integrity of the glass panes is still strong. Ensure also that the window and door frame seals do not stick as heat can escape or be let in depending on the season.

Install underfloor heating

Whilst this would only realistically work if all draughts were covered, underfloor heating can be a great way to make your conservatory a living space during winter.

Add curtains and blinds

Aside from giving you a sense of cosiness and privacy, curtains and blinds can benefit you in both cold and hot weather. They can block out the sun during summer helping to keep the conservatory cool, as well as retaining heat by blocking out the cold during winter.

Add more furniture and decorations

By taking up more space, furniture can reduce the amount of room that is required to heat up as there is less room for air to circulate. It also gives you the opportunity to showcase your interior design tastes! Selectively place large rugs to avoid your feet getting cold in winter, take throws and blankets to enjoy some winter stargazing. During summer, simply move them to another area of the home or into your storage.

Install heating and/or air conditioning

Portable heaters can be very energy consuming and without draughts being sealed can mean you are essentially wasting heat. However, you could also make adaptations to your central heating system to flow into your conservatory as well. For the summer months, why not also connect your air conditioning to the conservatory too?

Contact Bingley Windows

Are you looking to install a conservatory for your Ilkley, Keighley, Silsden, Shipley, Baildon or Bingley home? Then contact our team here at Bingley Windows. Call us today on 01535 958 183 or fill out our online enquiry form, and we’ll be in touch with you shortly.

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