With winter well and truly on its way, thoughts are turning to conservatories and orangeries as cosy places to take shelter from the elements while still enjoying our gardens and the fruits of our work in them over the summer.
Recently, Prince William and wife Kate were revealed to be attaching a conservatory to their new home at Norfolk’s Anmer Hall. But there are many other homeowners who aspire to luxury orangeries and conservatories, so you don’t have to be a Royal to enjoy a gorgeous orangery in your home.
However, anyone considering taking the plunge should ask themselves a few searching questions first. One of the key things to be sure of is whether the structure is really for you – or is it for your plants?
If you are building your home improvement for keeping plants in, the human angle should take second place. So you might want to think about how to deal with spillage when watering, the potential for mould and having tiles rather than luxurious deep-pile carpets.
Temperature is another consideration, many plants may need sub-tropical climes, meaning an open window for humans, which could in turn make your structure potentially attractive to intruders.
Glass roofs may seem appealing because they let in more daylight, but they’ll also be colder during the winter months and can be stiflingly hot in summer.
One option is to go for double-glazed glass with a type of gas between the panes which keeps cold and warm air at bay.
The marketplace is a constantly changing one, offering more choice than ever, with sales of traditional buildings giving way to more bespoke varieties that fit in with discerning customers’ increasingly diverse lifestyle needs.
Many families, for example, are after solid walls, a kitchen extension or a new communal space where they can watch TV, eat or study. Equally, people are increasingly keen to have a space they can use all year round.
Think of all the bespoke features you might need for your conservatory, from slate or tile roofs with a lantern or skylights rather than a roof made entirely of glass.
Equally, you will probably want to match your conservatory to your home seamlessly – remembering that there is a conservatory type to suit every style of property. Ideally, your extension will suit the existing house in terms of style, colours and brickwork.
Finally, think about size carefully. Understandably, you want your conservatory or orangery to give you as much space as possible, but that shouldn’t be at the cost of your land, and the structure shouldn’t dwarf your garden.
But, while there’s a lot to think about, a conservatory really can be an incredible enhancement to your home, while increasing its value. You’ll soon be wondering how you managed without it!
So if you need more space in time for guests you’re expecting this Christmas, it’s not too late to have the work completed in time for the festive season. Choose your contractor with care – the Internet makes a good starting point for researching conservatory companies.
Author Bio: Juliet England is a freelance blog writer who contributes to a wide range of lifestyle and home improvement websites, including Breckenridge Conservatories.
