Benefits of Conservatories

Even though spring has officially arrived, it may not feel like it yet in many parts of the country. Cold weather can continue well after green shoots appear in the garden and buds start popping on trees and shrubs. Deterred by the chill, we’re also deprived of the simple joys of being outdoors, taking in the sun. The Victorians had a splendid answer for that: the conservatory.

Name game

Depending on where you live, conservatories come in many names, shapes, sizes and designs. Some are called solariums, sunrooms, or Florida rooms. Some are free-standing, others attached; some formal and elaborate, others plain and utilitarian.

In Europe, early conservatories were often used to grow citrus during the winter and were called “orangeries.” Sunrooms are often manufactured off site and attached to part of a home. A conservatory usually fits seamlessly with a home’s construction. A conservatory for a Victorian home will have a fanciful look, while a contemporary home calls for a sleek and simple design.

Famous spaces

Some of the most famous conservatories include historically significant orangeries in Paris and Versailles; examples at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pa.; and London’s Kew Gardens. One of the most famous in the U.S. is the elaborate brick and glass extravaganza at the Biltmore House in Asheville.

A conservatory differs from a greenhouse in that a conservatory is also a living space. Conservatory floors are finished, and while plants may fill much of the space, they are typically grown in decorative pots or with saucers to protect the floors. Conservatories often have seating areas, lighting, fountains or other water features. Sculpture is a popular touch.

One consideration, the cost for heating and cooling. While some can strain the budget, with insulated glass, they are not as expensive to maintain as in the past.

Biltmore House Conservatory

Styles and options

From simple glass framing to copper and glass roofs, unique roof lines and detailed architectural accents, a conservatory can be suited to your home’s design – and your imagination. A conservatory can serve as an extra room for relaxing, a study-like retreat, pool house, winter garden, orchid sanctuary, even a greenery-filled dining room for parties or other special occasions.

To find the look best suited for your home, start by checking the Internet. One website in particular is Window Quoter. Its a free service that gives you a FREE quote from the top 3 companies in your area.

T-shaped conservatory

I Bid you adieu my dear Sirs and Madams!

Explaining the increasing popularity of conservatories

With conservatory companies reporting record sales this week, its apparent that conservatories are coming back in the trend this year as home-owners look to invest in a conservatory and experience the warm glow of the sun, in the unique way a conservatory provides.


Why the increase in popularity?

Conservatories have always been a versatile living space, especially for families. Being able to act as breakfast/dining rooms, family dens, studies, its extremely convenient for those who need the extra room. Becoming a more and more credible smart investment for home-owners, a conservatory is definitely attracting the majority of home-owners and would explain the rise in sales recently.


How?

Because of this rise in popularity it would suggest that potential property buyers will be looking for houses with a conservatory. Having one can on average increase the value of your home by £9,420! For people looking to sell this would be an almost crucial accessory to have, as it would generate more interest in your property and increase it's value.

Another honourable mention is the obvious excellent placement a conservatory is to have solar panels. Solar power is hugely popular, with earnings and savings up to £750 a year with solar power after the 1st of April. It would seem that coupled with the energy efficiency a conservatory already provides, solar panels would make a tiled-roof conservatory a smart investment for any home-owner as it is the perfect place to have them installed.

All reasons considered, it is certainly undeniable a conservatory would be beneficial for any home-owner, being versatile, attractive and a smart investment. The conservatory is a definite buy.

Find instant online prices for conservatories here.

Getting your Conservatory ready for Summer

Did you know that in 2004 alone, over 270,000 conservatories were installed on properties around the UK?

That's a lot of conservatories, but how many get a regular Spring clean? The days are getting longer and sunnier so now's the time to think about getting out the sponge and soft brushes and giving your conservatory a good clean ready for the sunny hours ahead.

You'll benefit from lower general maintenance, a longer lifespan for your conservatory and your enjoyment of using it in general.

Over the Winter, leaves and dirt will have collected in the guttering so start by cleaning out any silt or debris that could cause a blockage of the guttering system, including the down pipes and any exit points into drains or grates, before rinsing out the whole lot once you're done. Check (if possible) that water is falling freely down any downpipes.

Next, turn your attention to the conservatory roof. Check for signs of any lead flashing (the point where the conservatory meets the brick wall of your home) coming away from the rest of the property. Any gaps will be a potential for rain to get inside your home.

Then give the roof panels a good clean using a mild detergent and a soft brush or sponge. Never use harsh abrasives or stiff brushes as these can affect the glass coatings etc. Follow your conservatory installers cleaning and maintenance guides if you're at all unsure.

Pay attention to the plastic frame and any decorative ridges.

Take care if you're using a ladder or something else to stand on to reach. A better idea is one of those extendable poles with a brush or sponge attachment on the end. If you've already done the guttering first, then you can use a hose pipe to rinse off the roof afterwards.

Finally, wash and leather off the wall panels. Check the pointing on any dwarf walls is sound and doesn't need repair - particularly after a harsh winter when frost damage can cause pointing to come loose.

Now turn your attention to the window and door hinges and locks. Use a recommended lubricant to oil moving parts and check that they operate smoothly afterwards.

Now put the kettle on and sit back in the warm sun. By removing those dirty deposits, the sun will do a far better job of heating and lighting your conservatory. And the windows and doors you just oiled will open easily to let those Summer breezes in.

If you didn't fit or specify conservatory blinds when you had your conservatory first installed, why not consider them now? Blinds make a big difference to how you use your conservatory, especially in the Summer months when it can be a little too bright or warm to work or sit in.

If the idea of being able to sit out in a conservatory or perhaps using one to create a living space that is equally at home, serving as a dining area as it is a home office, then you'll want to find out how much it will cost you. But don't go calling any old company just yet.

Arm yourself with enough information to make an informed decision. Start by getting an online quote without the need for any salesman to call you. Then, use our home improvement network to directly compare conservatory companies in your area, by reading what other homeowners had to say about them - from the good to the downright 'never again' feedback of 10's of 1000's of other homeowners.

Our service is completely FREE and NO OBLIGATION to homeowners but at best it could save you pounds and at worst, save you from signing up with the wrong company.

Click here to get your online conservatory quote now.

Interested in conservatory blinds? Click here to get an instant online blinds quote and compare companies in your area.

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.

Time for a Conservatory?

October is drawing in, and it can be a tough challenge to keep your house feeling light and airy all through those long winter months. A conservatory can bring in light you didn’t even realise was there, and even better, you can get free, instant online quotes for Conservatories with windowquoter.co.uk.

Pictures courtesy of Homeshield Group.

A conservatory can make a wonderful multi-purpose room, and is an impressive alternative to just extending an existing room. Conservatories can make gorgeous lounges, dining rooms, playrooms, or just provide you with a peaceful space to read a book or listen to some music.

You’ll remember the 5th of November forever if you watch the fireworks from the warm confines of your new conservatory – and a double glazed exterior will keep those bangs, whizzes and pops quiet enough that even your dog can enjoy the show!

Conservatories can be made to fit almost any house and garden, so check out windowquoter.co.uk. now to get a free instant online quote and save money on your dream conservatory.

Photo Feature - The Perfect Conservatory

Photo Feature - The Perfect Conservatory
Conservatories are the perfect way to get that all important extra space without the hassle of moving home. Conservatories are available in every shape and colour you could want and can be beautifully added to any home – be it a modest semi-detached or a Victorian mansion.

To get an instant online quote for a conservatory, click here. It only takes a few minutes and you can choose from a variety of styles all online.

To get an instant online quote for conservatory blinds, click here. It only takes a few minutes and you can choose from a variety of different blinds styles all online.

You don’t have to own a big house to add a conservatory. Even small conservatories mean that bit of extra space that provides the kids with a great playroom or yourself with a relaxing breakfast room.

Just because your conservatory may have been an afterthought doesn’t mean it should look like one. Ask for the external features to blend in with the brickwork and window frames. Adding big double doors will also allow the feeling of the garden to run through into your home.

Many people who live in an old Georgian-style house may worry that adding a brand new conservatory will ruin the look of their grand home. Yet manufacturers of tailor-made conservatories can use bricks and designs that are in-keeping with the Georgian theme – and provide a very attractive garden feature that looks like it was built along with the house.

If you have the space for a big conservatory, try using it as a dining room. Come summer or winter, it’ll provide the perfect setting for a dinner party for family and friends – whether it’s a warm summer’s evening or a chilly night under the stars, just don’t forget to think about heating!

A double glazed conservatory can add extra value to your house, and can be a cost effective way to provide you with a new, fully-insulated room that’s perfect for all seasons.

The construction process on a double glazed conservatory is actually a quick and painless process – the design team will work with you to come up with exactly the product you require, and the construction team will install pre-prepared window panes in only a few days.

To get an instant online quote for a conservatory, click here. It only takes a few minutes and you can choose from a variety of styles all online.

To get an instant online quote for conservatory blinds, click here. It only takes a few minutes and you can choose from a variety of different blinds styles all online.

Choosing the right conservatory blinds

Choosing the right conservatory blinds - taken from the last Customer Newsletter.

A conservatory is an excellent addition to your home – whether as a dining room, playroom, or simply as a place to relax and look out onto the garden after a hard day, the extra space is always welcome. According to a recent survey by online bank, Egg, a conservatory adds an average of £11,000 to the value of your property – so it is also a worthwhile investment.

However, the reality of using a conservatory all year round is sometimes very different. Conservatories usually suffer from extremes in temperature – the trademark large windows means it is very cold in winter and very hot in summer. Excess sunlight can also make the glare uncomfortable if you’re sitting in the room, and can fade your furniture.

Conservatory blinds can be the solution to all of these problems – they stop the glare from the sun and can be installed in thermal fabrics, which keep the heat out in the summer and trap it inside in the winter. There is a vast array of blinds on offer, all with different fabrics and mechanisms. Here are five easy steps to picking the right ones for your conservatory:

Click here to get an instant online Conservatory Blinds Quote

1 – Choose a style
There are many different types of blinds on offer, to suit any style and structure of conservatory, and most can be adapted to fit both roofs and windows. The most popular blind for conservatories is the pleated variety, which is slim-fit to the glass. These blinds are made-to-measure to fit any window size or shape, which means every window and door can have an individual opening blind. Pleated blinds also retract thinner than any other blind, creating the neatest installation. Pleated blinds can cost anywhere between £595 and £3500, depending on the size and shape of your conservatory. Roller blinds are the simplest operating blinds on offer and are excellent value for money, starting at as little as £400 for the entire room. Venetian and vertical blinds are excellent at eliminating glare, while still allowing light into the room, but are not ideal for conservatories, as they are not easily fitted over opening windows and doors. They are easily damaged by winds and by people using the doors.

2 – Choose a material
Different materials offer different benefits when choosing your conservatory blinds. Most are available in hundreds of colours and designs to match the décor of your home, but some fabrics and materials have special functions, depending on the problems you face in your conservatory. Blackout Energy Saver and Opaque Reflections blinds both reflect sunlight, keeping your conservatory cool during the summer months. Prices start at £595 when used in a pleated blind. If you have problems keeping your conservatory warm in winter, Duette blinds provide a twin-layer of material, which creates a honeycomb effect – the two layers trap air and act as an excellent insulator. A very popular choice in material for conservatory blinds is wood, which looks modern and fresh, but also provides excellent sound-proofing and thermal insulation. Wood blinds are more expensive, starting at around £1200, but they are an investment, as you can re-decorate without having to replace the blinds.

3 – Choose a mechanism
The final thing you need to decide on is how you would like your blinds to operate. You may not think this is a big issue, but the mechanism of your blinds could affect your whole choice. For example, if you would like pleated blinds fitted closely to the glass, you may not be able to fit a side pull-cord operation to the window as well. Pull-cord blinds require a mechanism at the side of the blinds to attach the cord to – so you need to consider whether you have that space. If you don’t, you may want to consider a tensioned blind, which has a handle mechanism attached to the actual window frame. You move the handle to operate the blind and the cord mechanism is all held inside it – wherever you stop the handle, the blind will hang there. If you don’t want any handles or mechanisms visible on either the blind or the window, then automatically operated blinds may be for you. These can be controlled either by a wall-mounted panel or by remote-control, and work on a specially designed, quiet motor. They can also be set to a timer, so that your blinds will be open when you come downstairs in the morning and will close at night, without you having to lift a finger!

4 – Measure up!
Most blind companies will offer a measuring service at an extra charge, but you can usually measure the room yourself, using guidelines provided by the blind company, either in the literature or on the website. Most will give a quotation for blinds based on measurements you provide – for roof blinds this involves measuring the entire width and length of your conservatory. You need to measure the widest width and the longest length – measure inside the conservatory along the floor as this will give the most accurate dimensions. For window blinds, you can also measure the room yourself – just measure the total length of all the sides of the conservatory you require blinds for. Most blind companies will only quote for entire sides of the conservatory and not for just a selection of the windows. Quotes based on your own measurements are valid for 30 days.

5 – The finishing touches
Once you have made your decisions and received at least three quotes to compare prices, you are ready to choose a blind company! They will handle everything from ordering and making to installing your blinds. Blind installation is very quick and, depending on the style of blinds you have ordered, you may even qualify for “perfect-fit” blinds, which are fixed onto pre-measured brackets that just pop into place in minutes! These brackets will usually only fit windows which don’t have large handles obstructing the path of the blind, but extensions are available for small handles which only cause a slight obstruction.

Once your blinds are installed, all that’s left for you to do is sit back and enjoy your new conservatory!

Visit www.blindsquoter.co.uk for more information and an instant online conservatory blinds quote.

Visit www.windowquoter.co.uk for an instant online conservatory quote.

Building a conservatory - a timeline guide

Timeline – conservatories

Did you know it can take only six to ten weeks to build a new conservatory? Here’s how you do it in six easy stages – from start to finish:

Stage 1 – How to choose a conservatory company
Easier said than done you might think. Look for firms that allow you to see examples of their previous constructions on their website or even visit if nearby, and that offer high quality workmanship – most companies will offer a ten-year guarantee. Check installation arrangements, and point out inconvenient dates for work to be done on your property – timing issues can discount a supplier. Most importantly however, get quotes from at least three different companies – you don’t want too many quotes to become confusing, but you need enough to compare prices. We reckon three is about the right number which is why we always give our customers a choice of three.

Stage 2 – Design: make sure you have enough choice
The company you have selected will send round a surveyor to gauge the specifications for manufacturing your new conservatory. Bear in mind that there is a huge range of conservatory designs available (Victorian, T-shape, Lantern), so make sure the designers provide you with plenty of options to suit your property.

Stage 3 – Planning permission: know the rules
Most companies deal directly with the local authorities on your behalf regarding planning permission, but it is important to make sure you are aware of any breaches of building regulations that the work may incur before the work is started. Generally speaking, you won’t need to get planning permission unless your house has already been extended, the construction takes up more than 30sq meters, or you intend to add sanitary or draining facilities within the conservatory.

Stage 4 – Manufacturing
With design and permissions confirmed, it’s now time for your firm to manufacture the new conservatory. Most firms will build the entire structure in a factory before delivering it to your house, whilst other firms may have different processes and may build the conservatory on site. Make sure you know what is happening and when, so you can check progress.

Stage 5 – Good foundations
Now it’s time for the real work to be done! A foundation will need to be prepared before any work is done on the site, which will normally be done at a depth of 650mm. The base of the conservatory will then be built up, as well as the base wall (if chosen), which will involve brickwork and installing cavity insulation.

Stage 6 – Installation
Finally, the conservatory itself will be installed. Your chosen company will send round a specialist team to set up the unit, and ensure all weatherproofing and glasswork is fitted correctly. This stage of the process will always cause a certain level of disruption to your household, so bear in mind the times when workers will be at your property.

The conservatory is now yours to furnish and decorate as you like. Enjoy!

For an instant online quote for your conservatory, click here to visit Windowquoter - the UK's premier online quotation website for conservatories, double glazed windows and doors.