A bespoke conservatory is a beautiful light-filled extension to your living space, enhancing your connection with nature and adding to the value of your home. However, to get the most out of your investment, it’s important to ask some key questions before going ahead to the design and build stages.
Here are five things to consider before installing your new luxury conservatory. If you go for a bespoke option, the design team will always be ready to help you out with ideas and advice. However, if you are right at the beginning of your journey and are not sure where to start, here are some useful pointers.
Which direction will it face?
The orientation of your conservatory is a major consideration, because it will impact on the amount of sunlight it gets, and also the thermal and energy performance. South-facing conservatories get the most sun, which means that they will feel more pleasant in cooler weather, and are ideal if you want to cultivate plants.
However, to prevent the conservatory from overheating in the summer, it may be prudent to consider using solar control glass, thermal blinds, or heat rejection film. North-facing conservatories will get less direct sunlight, so keeping them warm in autumn and winter is more difficult.
Many conservatory owners install underfloor heating, which is a cost effective and unobtrusive way of creating year-round warmth. This is best done at the initial build stage, as it is more complicated to retrofit it at a later date.
East and west facing conservatories will get the best of the morning or evening sun, making them pleasant breakfast spaces or evening sanctuaries.
It may be that the size, aspect or shape of your house dictates the position of your conservatory, so consider how this will affect how you use it throughout the year, and what type of insulation and cooling or heating system it will need.
What will be the main use of your conservatory?
It may be that your conservatory will be a multi-functional space that the family uses in different ways. However, consider if the space will have a primary function, because this will affect everything else, from the layout to the lighting, and how much you will need to invest in solar performance or heating and cooling systems.
For example, do you want a general living space with comfortable seating where you can relax and enjoy views of the garden? Maybe you want a space that will be primarily used as a home office or a gym. In these scenarios, the temperature will need to be comfortable throughout the year.
If you primarily want to have a summer entertaining and lounging space with easy indoor – outdoor access, then underfloor heating might be less of a priority.
What materials and architectural style to use
If you are installing a bespoke conservatory, take advantage of the scope to customise the materials to the overall style of your house and the intended use of the conservatory. For example, if you have a period property, then a Victorian-style conservatory will complement it perfectly. Hardwood frames also suit traditional country properties.
If you want a more sleek and contemporary look, then aluminium frames are a great choice. Glass roofs let in the maximum amount of light, but may require solar control glass for year round use. Tiled roofs offer greater insulation and create a more cosy room like space.
The indoor-outdoor flow
For many people, the flow between the interior and exterior space to provide a seamless connection to the garden is a key consideration. Consider how the position, flooring, materials and colour scheme align to provide a visual and spatial continuity between the inside and out.
Your budget
Last but not least, you will need to set a realistic budget. A bespoke conservatory is a considerable investment, but if you get it right the first time with high quality materials it will be worth every penny. There may be cheaper off-the-peg alternatives, but these can often be poorly constructed and prone to developing faults such as leaks and drafts.
By investing in premium quality materials and an expert design and installation team, you will have a far more durable and usable space that will be more aesthetically pleasing and require less maintenance.