Spring is in full bloom, which not only means that the frosty weather should be at an end and that the gardening season has well and truly begun, but it is also the time when many people get their conservatories ready to use from now up until late autumn.
However, one problem that is often found with older conservatories with a lot of glass and thinner windows is sun bleaching on upholstery, carpets and clothes left in the room, which gives them lighter patches, faded patterns and potential damage that could require them to be replaced.
There are many solutions you can take to avoid the sun damaging your precious household items held in your conservatory, from simple maintenance steps to fitting a long-term fix.
Modern conservatories, even those made in a traditional style will not have this issue, but whilst you wait for your upgrade, here are some top tips to avoid sun damage.
Cover It Up
The Victorians love their furniture and did everything they could to avoid it getting damaged or stained, despite almost every part of Victorian life leaving a mark.
Their solution is elegant in its simplicity; use blankets, rugs, cloths and throws to cover up the original furnishings, or at least the ones you do not want to have any damage.
It is effective, affordable, and can lead to some very beautiful interior design work, but in practice, it also limits the types of interior design work you can do and can undermine a light, airy summer getaway.
Fit A Tiled Roof
A somewhat more permanent and expensive solution is to swap out the glass roof many conservatories have with a different roof that matches the style of your home.
This limits the amount of light coming in through the windows, albeit at a cost that could be comparable to starting over and building a new roof itself. Light can also come in through the side windows, so it is not a complete solution.
Thankfully, that is not the only solution to rooftop woes.
Fit Roof And Large Window Blinds
Many conservatory windows can be fitted with easy-to-use, discreet and subtle blinds that can block out the sunlight as and when you need them to. These come in a range of styles, from slatted Venetian blinds to window-hugging strip blinds.
This is a solution that is more affordable than switching out the roof and less restrictive than covering everything up, and also means that your conservatory will feel cooler during particularly hot days as long as the blinds are closed.
There are a few problems and limitations, however. They often need to be down for considerable parts of brighter days, which can remove the benefits of having a glass roof, and the fabric of the blinds will also suffer from sun bleaching over time.
Fit UV Glass
Whether it is protective film fitted to an existing conservatory or swapping out the glass for more thermally efficient panes, having UV-resistant film on your windows allows you to enjoy the midday sun without your décor paying the price.