WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BUILDING A CONSERVATORY

Conservatories are the in thing – many people are considering building a conservatory and replacing their sliding patio doors with sturdier doors made of PVC. But when should you consider building a conservatory?

There are several reasons why building conservatories may be a good idea. For example, if you have a large garden that requires a lot of maintenance, construction of a conservatory is one of the home improvement projects you could consider. Not only can you reduce the time you spend on caring for your garden, but you can also gain a warm, comfortable space for year round use.

This remodelling project is especially worth considering if your garden is South facing as you can be sure that the conservatory will be warm for most of the year. Even in winter, it will not require as much heating as a sunroom in a north facing garden. This is an important factor, as you don't want to add to the cost of this already large remodelling task.

A sun room may also allow you to care for plants that require warmer conditions, though if you want it only for plants, maybe a greenhouse is a better option. If, like most people, you want to use the room, then this type of home improvement project gives you the best of both worlds. It increases living space for both you and your plants. Remember to consider the size of your garden in relation to the conservatories that are available – after all, you still want to have some green space to look at when you are enjoying the new room.

Before you start to remodel with a sun room, you need to consider whether you need planning permission. Check on local rules to be sure. Some conservatories do not require planning permission, but if you live in a listed building or will be building too close to your neighbours then you may need to get the appropriate permission.

With this type of project you need to decide on the appropriate material for construction. In essence, you have the choice of wood or PVC. Wood is an attractive material, but it requires a lot of maintenance. It is likely that you will have to sand and repaint the outside every few years. Not only is this costly, but it is also time consuming. PVC, on the other hand, requires very little maintenance and provides unparalleled insulation, keeping your heating costs manageable in the winter months. Most people replace their sliding patio doors with PVC doors as the sliding patio doors may allow heat loss.

If your garden is South facing, you may wish to consider tinted windows to reduce the glare coming into the sun room and blinds are also a good idea. Be sure to include plenty of windows so that you can get air flow no matter which way the wind is blowing. PVC windows for conservatories will usually feature the same secure locking as on the doors used to replace sliding patio doors. Finally, think about getting some tinted roof panels so your conservatory stays at a pleasant temperature all year round.