Summer And Winter Conservatories


by Kelly Wheeler - Date: 2008-07-30 - Word Count: 1024 Share This!

As glass is so popular in modern architecture and is used throughout homes and commercial buildings all over the world, it has become necessary to consider the comfort of the occupants of these buildings. With the rising cost of electricity and gas, it has become necessary to seek out other methods of temperature control. This is particularly true of conservatories, which has grown immensely in popularity in recent years.

When it comes to conservatories, as with many other things, careful planning and forethought are integral to their long term value. While conservatories are assets to your home, and should be regarded as such, it is important that they get used because their real value lies in their utility. Having a conservatory that you can only use at certain times of the year because of heating and cooling issues is a waste of a potentially lovely space. This challenge however, is a complex one to overcome, particularly when one considers the cost involved in interior temperature control. Fortunately, with advances in technology and a thorough understanding of the seasonal movements of the sun, you can build a conservatory that is ideally suited for its intended purpose all year round.

A Question of Positioning

There are two keys factors when it comes to constructing a conservatory that is practical and does not cost a fortune in gas or electric bills to heat or cool. The first thing is the direction that the structure faces. The question of positioning is integral as the consequences that result from making a bad decision can be unforeseen. There is however, no 'perfect' decision that can be made regarding direction - but it is important to have all the information at the outset.

North or South? East or West?

As the Northern Hemisphere is prone to cold winter conditions, it is important to maximise the benefit of any available sunlight. North facing conservatories will not receive direct sunlight in the summer months which will necessitate extra heating or insulation measures. Thus, for cold climates, south facing conservatories may be more practical. They too however, have their disadvantages. Because they receive so much direct sunlight, they can get hot during the warmer months of the year.

Deciding on the direction in which you want your conservatory to face is also impacted on by the structure's intended function. Conservatories in the Northern Hemisphere that are intended for breakfast rooms should face east, because this will ensure early morning sun. West facing conservatories are cooler during the day, but are treated to afternoon and evening sun, making the room one that is ideal for the cultivation of house plants, or use as an evening dining or entertainment area.

Despite these considerations, which are wholly necessary, it is possible to reduce the impact of direction on the final product. Although universally practical, these alternatives are particularly relevant to people who have set their hearts on a specific (potentially impractical) location for their conservatory, or for people with limited options because of the space constraints and the suchlike. Situations such as these, or ones in which direction is an insufficient heating or cooling measure, call for serious considerations around the type of glass used in the structure.

Choosing Your Conservatory Glass

The second consideration and perhaps the most important one, is choosing your conservatory glass. Despite the perceived hassle around glass as a feature, it is actually one of the most attractive elements of your conservatory. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but glass brings the outdoors into your home and sets your conservatory apart from the rest of your property. In order for you to enjoy your glass, it needs to be attractive, functional and low maintenance. These prerequisites underline why choosing the right type of glass is so important.

When it comes to practicality, there are many types of glass that can be fitted in your conservatory that will not only be aesthetically pleasing but will also ensure that your conservatory is useful all year round, as opposed to only seasonally. An initial consideration, that is not directly related to the climate or heating and cooling, is the problem of keeping the expanses of glass in your conservatory clean and pleasing to the eye. This is indirectly related to the weather because it is more difficult to keep your glass clean in the rainy months when being outside is an unappealing prospect. Fortunately, there are companies that manufacture self-cleaning glass products that actually benefit from the rain and remain clean all year round with little or no human labour.

Solar Control Glass

Glass technology today is such that glass can be multi-purpose. In hot climates, glass can perform solar control functions that minimise solar heat gain. They also control solar glare, thus reducing the need for curtains and blinds that detract from the outdoor atmosphere that characterises conservatories. These glass types with solar control can be used in conjunction with self-cleaning glass and can be either coloured or clear, depending on your personal preferences. Solar control glass has numerous benefits, not least of which is the money you will save because of the reduced need for air conditioning.

Insulating Glass

If your glass concerns revolve around keeping your conservatory warm in the winter months, and keeping it cool is less of a priority or isn't necessary, then it is worth considering an insulating glass product. Many products feature a double layer of glass, where the inner layer is coated in a material that reflects heat back into the room, whilst also allowing for passive solar gain - the intrusion of free heat from natural sunlight. The benefits associated with this type of glass, and others like it, include savings on fuel bills, increased usability of your conservatory for friends and family.

A Combination?

Many glass types can be combined with one another so that your conservatory can be structured around a glass solution, tailored to your specific needs. Many have other properties such as reinforcement for security, fire resistance and noise control. The best way to find out what your needs are is to speak to a glass professional with experience in the industry. Indeed, this may be a good place to begin the planning of your conservatory.

Related Tags: conservatories, summer conservatory, winter conservatory, pilkington activ, self-cleaning glass, solar control glass

Pilkington Self-Cleaning Glass is the leading manufacturer of www.pilkingtonselfcleaningglass.co.uk/activblue">self-cleaning solar control glass in the United Kingdom. A combination of extensive experience, continual research and advanced technology ensures that they remain at the forefront of practical self-cleaning glass solutions.

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