Conservatory

[bluebird34]

I am hoping to add a conservatory to my detached bungalow this year and would like to hear from others who have done this and may have tips on what to include and what to avoid. I have a metal sunroom there at the moment which will have to be removed and I intend the conservatory to be built on the same footprint. I am particularly interested in keeping it cool enough to use in summer and warm enough in winter but any other info will be welcomed thank you x

[jennyjoan]

I don't have one but do know quite a number of friends who have them and NEVER use them. Stick to your sunroom. At least you will you will use it.

Friend last year pulled her down to make way for a larger dining room - now that was used. Just my opinion.

[black_cat51]

i haven't done it, but i suppose the problem with conservatories is exactly as you describe - too cold AND too warm. What about an extension instead?

[Prudie]

I have one and would agree with those problems, We rarely use ours. The pros are it is lovely and light to sit in during spring and autumn and I grow exotic plants in there but in summer it's boiling. In the winter it's freezing. You certainly need opening windows and blinds if you can afford them. Last year we added a large radiator from our CH heating system but that is still nowhere near enough to make it usable in the winter. I think you need to really splash out with underfloor heating or similar.

[EcclesCake]

Modern conservatories with reflective glass are much better than the old ones in terms of keeping cool. We have a vent in the roof that is on a thermostat so it opens when the temperature has been reached. Personally I think a roof vent is more efficient than opening windows.

I have underfloor heating but rarely use it as it isn't necessary.

Through the winter I often sit out there and it is perfectly pleasant.

[Ratty2E]

Well i only have experience of a fairly old one without any fancy glass, but I am considering getting a solid roof as that is where most of the temperature issues come from. If I could I would rather replace it with a proper extension but if you really want a conventional conservatory then do go with the best in regards to glazing and consider roof vents they really will make a difference in the summer.

[Prudie]

Actually I like the summer heat. I certainly couldn't sit in mine in winter. At night the internal temperature regularly drops to 4 deg without heating.

[The Builder]

As the others have said, Janet, what was considered a good idea twenty or thirty years ago doesn't fit with the way we want to live today.
The "clever money" goes nowhere near them today, going instead for "garden rooms".

The difference being that a garden room is really a fully fledged extension with fully insulated walls and roof......... thus usable all the year around. You can imagine how much more expensive this option is though.

By all means go for a standard conservatory, but be resigned to use it only at certain times of the year. If you do, make sure you have a fully insulated door between the house and the conservatory or the heat losses from the house will be substantial.

[Arrods]

We get to use ours 9 months a year - and have already sat out in it this year. We have two very large opening roof vents (together the size of a complete roof panel which after 15 years have not leaked), two large opening windows and two large doors. If we return home having secured the conservatory, it takes only a couple of minutes to lower the temperature once the windows etc are opened. We have a roof fan, but rarely use it. Hope this helps.

[islasmum]

If you do go ahead with it, I'd make sure that you had blinds or similar for the hotter days. Our's gets so hot in the summer, but is pleasant to sit in in the spring and autumn.
The nicest one I've been in had openable roof windows and blinds on all the windows, and you could happily sit in it all the year round.

[bluebird34]

Well thank you all for your comments. At first I was very disappointed but having read on I think it may be a viable idea for me. Already this year like Arrod I have been able to sit in my laughingly called sunroom, one of those awful metal things you buy for a couple of hundred and put up yourself, it was here when we bought the house.I will get a quote for one with roof vents and will certainly have blinds and will go from there. The door from the house strangely is my bedroom and is a double glazed patio door so should be ok i think. Thank you all for your comments they have been very helpful. Nice to hear from you again Mr Builder I am always impressed that you remember my name lol. Thanks again x

[IzzyRegan]

It's certainly commendable that you are considering numerous factors before having a conservatory added to your home. There are quite a few homeowners who simply have it built without thinking about whether they will be able to use the room the whole year round. We have been building conservatories for over 38 years that our clients have been able to enjoy the whole year round.

The best way to ensure that your conservatory will be a place you can retreat to in any weather is to have it designed well, built with the right materials and furnished appropriately.

You can keep your sunroom nice and cool during the warm(hot) seasons by using glazed panels. These effectively let you enjoy the sun without being exposed to harmful rays and infrared. The latter is what causes the temperature to rise up in an enclosed room. You can also add shades and blinds so you can control the amount of sunlight that comes in.

You can also enjoy your conservatory during the colder seasons by adding a portable fireplace and adding some nice and comfortable throws that you can snuggle into.

The right roofing panels can also help keep your outdoor room insulated properly for any type of weather.

Hope this helps!