The best part about our conservatories and orangeries is the amount of value they add to your home. It’s a fact that a conservatory can add almost 10% to the total value of your home. Moreover, it’s also true that buyers are more attracted to properties that have a conservatory. In fact, a well-chosen extension can make your home look better-lit and much more spacious.

However, this is nothing compared to the value that extra space adds to your life.

You can use your conservatory to serve as an extra room to maximise your space. It can be a play room for kids or a work room for you. You can use it as a dining area or a living room.

Conservatories and Orangeries are a great way to get closer to the outdoor area of your home. These glazed extensions allow you to enjoy and appreciate your garden and your view to the fullest. In fact, they make you feel like you’re outside, but without having to face the elements!

Do you love the rain? You can enjoy a heavy summer shower with a cup of hot chocolate from your conservatory!

These extensions give you a sheltered space from where you can enjoy the sun, rain, snow, and even a particularly dramatic thunderstorm – All without having to be out in the heat or cold.

The direction it faces determines how much sun it gets. Now, when you consider that this is a glazed room, you can see how too much or too little sun can affect the internal temperatures.

For example, a south-facing conservatory will get the greatest amount of sunlight. This is great if you worship the sun. However, it means that an unprotected conservatory might get too hot in the afternoon, even in winter.

Similarly, a north-facing conservatory may not get enough sun. As a result, it might be too cold in winter.

An east-facing extension will get sun in the morning, but will probably cool down excessively in the evening. On the contrary, a west-facing conservatory will be cold, and probably dark, in the morning, but will get some warmth and illumination from the setting sun.

If you have a south or west facing glazed extension, you might find it gets too warm during the day. In such a case, you might need to plan it in a way that allows you to keep it cool. For example, you would probably need to get tinted glass that restricts the amount of solar heat that can enter.

Additionally, you may also need to invest in high quality double glazing. ‘But wait a minute’, you say. ‘Doesn’t double glazing keep the room warm?’.

Well, insulation works both ways. It keeps heat from escaping, yes. However, it also can be used to keep the heat out. The best part about this is that your double glazing will keep your room at a tolerable temperature in the summer. However, it will also keep it warm in winter.

Another thing you might want is patio or bi-fold doors, in addition to windows. On a bright summer afternoon, it might be more enjoyable for you to have wide open doors and windows. This way, you prevent the heat from building up. Plus, you get a cool breeze to alleviate the heat inside.

Additionally, you would want to invest in proper ventilation. This will also prevent moisture build-up when you have your doors and windows closed. Another thing you might want to consider is a tiled or solid roof. These can help keep your room cool. Besides, if you want extra light, you can get roof lanterns or roof windows installed.

If you have a conservatory that is too cold, either all the time or during specific times, you might need double glazing. This will prevent too much heat from escaping. Additionally, it might be worth getting a heating system under the floor, or at least a radiator. This will keep the internal temperature to a bearable level.

You can also maximise the sun’s heat by getting dwarf walls. The bricks absorb the solar heat and slowly release it. As a result, the room doesn’t get cold due to the radiated heat.

If you already have a conservatory installed, you might want to ‘cosy’ it up. The first step would have to be a heater or radiator. You can also make the room warm with thick curtains. These act as insulation and limit the amount of heat escaping. However, they would also block light, so plan accordingly.

It might help if you have a lot of warm stuff in the room, like plush sofas and chairs, topped with comfy cushions, blankets, rugs, and throws. This way, even if the room isn’t completely warm, you won’t have to suffer the cold!