Conservatories are a fantastic way to add more space to your home. The welcome addition of a comfortable area that receives light all year round is enough reason for any homeowner to consider building a conservatory extension, particularly for properties short on living space.
Conservatories are versatile, easily fitting in with both traditional and contemporary home aesthetics. They can be used for all manner of purposes, from dining to relaxation, study, or a children’s play area. Whatever you choose, we'll be able to offer you a conservatory that perfectly suits you.
A Bit About Conservatories
Although the general consensus is that a conservatory is a great idea, many homeowners find that the promise of a room for all occasions often falls short. The number one reason people don’t utilise their conservatories as much as they would like to boils down to one thing: temperature levels.
Given that conservatories are primarily made up of glass or polycarbonate panels, it goes without saying that historically they were difficult to insulate. This means that during the winter, the conservatory was too cold, harsh and unforgiving place to spend the day. Of course, it’s possible to heat the conservatory in a way that suits you.
With energy prices continuing to rise, many people are deciding that the pros (natural light, a relaxing area to unwind and entertain friends and family in) often outweigh the cons (it’s too cold even with the heating on, and it ultimately costs too much to heat). This can prove to be detrimental to overall conservatory satisfaction.
At this stage, it’s probably worthwhile to point out that conservatories tend to suffer from the opposite problem during the summer - essentially, a conservatory space covered with glass panelling creates a “greenhouse effect,” which would make your space unbearably hot during warmer seasons.
What Are the Causes of Poor Conservatory Insulation?
The primary problem in maintaining a comfortable conservatory can be a mix of factors; however, the biggest contributor to this used to be the roof. The technology behind conservatory roofs has changed significantly over the last decade, and so has the science and understanding behind what makes a good conservatory. As Ultraframe, we pride ourselves on always operating at the forefront of design and quality.
Upgrades to glass panes, with solar control, or the use of triple glazing, now help to stabilise temperatures, even when it’s incredibly hot or cold outside. Previously, where we saw inefficient glass and polycarbonate, which acted like a greenhouse in summer and conducted the cold in winter, we now have innovative products which will help remove these issues and create a space within the home that can be used all year round.
What Can You Do About a Conservatory Too Hot or Too Cold?
Add a Perimeter Ceiling:
Adding a perimeter ceiling is a simple and cost-effective way to combat heat loss and overheating. Ultraframe has developed an insulated internal pelmet that allows you to do just this, so you can stay comfortable all year round.
Not only does the newly created space leave room for insulation (increasing the room's efficiency), but it can also house spotlights or speakers and provide a real feature, making the conservatory feel more like a room within the house than a conservatory.
Replacement Roof:
Many are reluctant to replace a conservatory roof with a solid option, mainly because it negates the reason for having a conservatory in the first place - after all, what good is a conservatory without sunlight from above?
Thankfully, there’s an option available that combines solid and glazed roofing. The good news is that it offers the best of both worlds. You get incredible insulation performance without losing the appeal of your conservatory, getting an addition that suits you.
Constructed from insulated composite external panels and thermally efficient slab insulation, a replacement Livinroof featuring glass panels can help to create a warm, spacious ambience at a reasonable cost, meaning that you can enjoy your conservatory all year round.
Glass panels can be placed in any shape with a Livinroof, which can in fact be constructed as a solid roof, solid/glass mix or fully glass - ensuring maximum sunlight regardless of the directional positioning of your conservatory, and a roof tailored precisely to your tastes and needs.
Find Your Nearest Approved Ultra Installer
To ensure you get the very best investment for your home, we focus heavily on the research and development of our conservatory systems. You’ll be able to enjoy a standard of product that has been refined and evolved over the years to deliver an exceptional standard across the board.
Our innovative system makes finding your nearest Approved Ultra Installer easy. We’ll connect you with a specialist who has been assessed and vetted to ensure they uphold our expected standards of professionalism, reliability, efficiency, and promptness, giving you complete peace of mind.