Conservatories are a great choice if you’re looking to add some extra living space where you can enjoy the beauty of your garden from the comfort of your home.
But when it comes to designing your conservatory and choosing the right materials, it can get a little stressful. After all, this is a costly investment you’re making and hopefully you’ll be using the conservatory for many years to come, so it pays to know what you’re getting when you make your choice.
One popular option is timber, which provides beauty, elegance and a distinctive look. However, like all materials timber has its own set of pros and cons, so here we go over them to help you decide whether it’s the right material for your conservatory.
The Pros
If you’re considering a timber conservatory, here are the main advantages of choosing this material.
Aesthetic Appeal
With a natural beauty that can enhance the aesthetic of any conservatory, without a doubt one of the biggest advantages of timer is its visual appeal. Warm and rustic-looking, if it’s luxurious elegance you’re after then timber will deliver it in droves!
Another aesthetic benefit is timber won’t go out of fashion. So while some other materials come in and out of trend, the timeless beauty of timber will never grow old.
Adaptability To Different Styles
Timber conservatories are extremely versatile and can be adapted to a variety of architectural and decorative styles. So whether you have a period property with a traditional feel, or you own an ultra-modern property with all the mod cons, a timber conservatory or orangery can be designed to fit seamlessly with your home.
Energy Efficiency
As a natural insulator that retains heat, timber is the ideal material if energy efficiency is high on your list of priorities.
By maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature throughout the year, timber can reduce the need to keep heating or cooling your conservatory which helps you save on your energy bills.
Eco-Friendly
Now this one can work both ways, but when timber is sourced responsibly, it can be an eco-friendly building material.
Unlike other materials such as uPVC, timber is both biodegradable and recyclable so it won’t need to go to landfill once it’s lived out its lifecycle as a conservatory.
Customisation Options
Looking to add a unique touch to your conservatory? Then look no further than timber as it gives you free reign to unleash your creativity with its extensive customisation options.
Adaptable and easy to work with, timber allows you to create a wealth of unique designs. So if you’ve got a specific vision for your new living space then timber can be used to achieve your aims.
Adds Value
Do you see yourself selling your property any time in the near future? Then a well-maintained timber conservatory can be a real asset and will help attract more buyers, which should add significant value to your home.
The key here is to keep the conservatory looking its best as one that’s been allowed to deteriorate could have the opposite effect on your property’s value.
The Cons
So now we’ve been over the advantages of timber conservatories, now let’s look at some of the drawbacks. By balancing the pros and the cons, this should help you make an informed decision on which building material to choose for your conservatory.
Initial Cost
One of the biggest downsides to choosing wood for your conservatory is the higher initial cost. Compared to alternatives like uPVC or aluminium, timber can cost quite a bit more. So if you’re on a tight budget then timber might not be the most suitable choice.
Having said that, as we pointed out above, timber can be much more energy efficient than other materials. So over the long run you can start to recuperate some of that outlay.
Maintenance
Another con of timber is the work it involves as conservatories made from this material require regular maintenance to keep them in good condition. With sanding, staining or painting to protect the wood required, timber can be a time-consuming material and if you fail to keep on top of these then your conservatory can start to look worse for wear.
Deterioration
You may or may not know this, but timber is sensitive to weather conditions, especially if you fail to keep on top of the maintenance as we pointed out above. And with the British weather even more unpredictable than usual lately, this could make timber conservatories a no-go for some.
When timber is exposed to moisture, UV radiation or harsh weather conditions it can start to rot anc become discoloured. So if you’re looking for longevity from your conservatory (let’s face it, who isn’t?!) then you’ll need to keep it protected from the weather by regularly maintaining it.
Pests
Timber conservatories can be susceptible to pest infestations, such as wood worm. If your conservatory suffers serious damage as a result of woodworm then this can even compromise the structural integrity of the space
Regular inspections and treatments may be needed to prevent or address these issues. so consider this before making your choice.
Limited Colour Choices
Unlike uPVC, which offers a wide range of colour options, timber conservatories typically have more limited choices for colour finishes. Sure, in theory, you could paint your timber, but why splash out on the most expensive option if you’re just going to cover it in gloss?
Most choose this material for its natural appearance and warm, rustic tones. But although this provides an undeniable beauty, it may limit the customization options for those who are trying to achieve a specific colour scheme for their conservatory.
So those are the main pros and cons of having a timber conservatory. Obviously the relevance of these will depend largely on your budget and the aesthetic you’re trying to achieve. You should also take into account energy efficiency and the amount of maintenance you’re prepared to carry out.