Conservatories with a difference

As the Summer holidays draw to a close, it suddenly seems like the nights get dark very quickly, making the garden virtually unusable outside the weekends.

Which makes it fairly unsurprising that conservatory enquiries pick up at the as homeowners begin to miss having their own little slice of outdoors, and look for ways to share and enjoy their gardens the whole year round.

With the incredible range of designs available these days, having a conservatory really can make you feel like you’re living in the garden – albeit behind the latest in thermal glass engineering.

Whilst the more traditional Victorian, Edwardian and gable-end styles are all readily available and do provide very good value for money – especially given the extra floor space they add to a typical property – there’s always new styles and fashions around, and we know you’re after the best. If you’re after something a little different or individual, then take a look a these:

Tiled Roof Conservatories.

In Scotland, a sunroom will generally have a ‘traditional’ tiled roof, rather than the polycarbonate or glass roofs favoured by the English.

Recently, though, tiled-roof conservatories are beginning to grow in popularity south of the border as well. They usually fall under the same planning rules as a glass conservatory, and can add an air of traditional respectability to your conservatory.

Orangeries

When we talk about orangeries, we’re not talking something the size of the Botanical Gardens at Kew here (although if you have the space, why not!). No, we’re talking about new designs and production methods making these stylish and contemporary additions to your home very affordable as well as becoming increasingly available.

The designs main feature is an all glass/polycarbonate roof which sits like an extra tier above the main structure. Traditionally to let more light in, these ‘extra tiers’ of glass can really add that touch of class to your living space. No wonder they’re so popular.

Extensions with bi-folding doors

Not a conservatory in the strictest sense and extra planning considerations may have to be made, bi-folding doors have opened up previously dark areas of your home and given rooms a new lease of life – by joining the outside with the inside in one very unique door.

If you’ve not seen bi-fold doors in action, then let me explain. Imagine the old concertina / folding doors from village halls etc that could partition a room? Bi-folding doors work in pretty much the same way. A string of individual door panels, hinged together and fitted into a track top and bottom. Each door can be folded back in turn so you can open up as much or as little as you want.

Imagine getting up for breakfast, seeing the beautiful day outside and fancying your morning cuppa alfresco? No more backwards and forwards with trays and chairs, just open the ‘wall’ and sit at your table as normal. Glorious.

Bi-folding doors are usually available in uPVC or aluminium, depending on the span (uPVC is stronger over greater spans), and even a 3 fold door can make a tremendous difference to the amount of light getting inside your home, not to mention the flexibility to open up the whole space. They’ve been used to great effect in rooms adjoining patios, swimming pool enclosures and even cafe’s and restaurants have seen the commercial benefit of being able to open and expand into the outdoors as easily as opening a door.

Just a few ideas to wet your appetites and who knows, within a few months, you could be enjoying the great outdoors without having to leave your cosy warm home.