From UK Blogger Louis Berlin: Crunching Conservatory Problems With These Five Environmentally Sound Solutions
Conservatories have become very popular over the last decade. Much of this is due to the advancement in technology solutions provided by the double glazing industry, as well as the need for more outdoor living and extra family space in urban areas.
Home owners realise that a conservatory adds significant value to their lives, with the extra space and all year round light, as well as the potential for an increase in the value of their home.
That said though, what are some real crunching problems that many people experience, either in making the decision or dealing with problems, once the conservatory has been built?
Here are solutions to five common problems that people encounter:
- New Conservatories Are Just Too Expensive
A new conservatory can cost upwards of £10,000 for a 3 meter by 4 meter model. Naturally this will not include all the extras in fitting it out nor for high quality glass or a heat shield roof. So how do you make the conservatory more affordable without compromising on space?
The simple solution is to build one yourself. The DIY market is very mature and the quality of the products are comparable to what double glazing companies install for you. The main difference is that you do the installation yourself, with the help of a competent friend or family member and you will save thousands of pounds in the process.
DIY Conservatory companies manufacture all the required parts specifically for the DIY market – so it’s a job you can do yourself. For more information visit http://www.dreamconservatoriesonline.co.uk
- The conservatory is just too hot in the summer
Conservatories are mostly glass and keep the inside warm throughout the year. On a hot summer day though, with a south or west facing conservatory, expect temperatures to rise significantly. This often causes a common problem, but there are solutions that can ensure you maintain a temperature that you find pleasurable.
If you are at the design and build stage, then you may want to consider installing heat shield glass. This will help to maintain a steady temperature on hot days, keeping your conservatory cool and comfortable.
If you are past the design and build stage and already have your conservatory, then consider a portable air conditioning unit. These are a lot cheaper than heat shield glass but use electricity. However, these can enable you to achieve a very steady temperature on hotter days.
- Conservatory too cold in the winter
Conversely, the conservatory can be very cold during the winter months. Although it will hold on to any heat available, it can still be a little uncomfortable relaxing in a cold room.
Just like any room in your home, the best way to warm it up is with heating. Initially people think about a conservatory as being a hot room, so don’t often appreciate that just like any room in winter, when it gets cold outside, you turn on the heating.
To add heating you can extending your central heating to the conservatory by adding in the appropriate number of radiators, or install new electric heaters There are many heating options available each with it’s associated benefits and costs.
- Don’t want that all that soil coming through my house
Constructing a conservatory is a building project. With traditional conservatories, foundations need to be prepared and digging will be done. This digging will produce mud and dirt and if you live in a terraced house, with no side access, then all that waste will need to pass through your house to be dumped into a skip.
You may not be set out for all this but here is another option.
A conservatory steel base and modular wall system can be applied to any type of conservatory. While this product was designed for the DIY market, builders of all types of conservatories are using them. There are significant advantages to this type of foundation, but the important factor is that very little digging is required and the mess and mud produced is generally less than one barrel full of waste.
- Will I need planning permission?
The vast majority of conservatories do not need planning permission. In addition, councils have tried to simplify the entire process to enable more people to extend their home without all the red tape.
Rules and regulations do change from time to time and are dependent on the planned usage of the conservatory and the location. So for the latest information, visit the government’s planning portal for conservatories here : https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/10/conservatories
