A conservatory is often considered a very quick and easy way to bring something new to your home. Whether it’s bringing the outdoors in or expanding your family’s space indoors, a conservatory serves a multitude of purposes.
Unfortunately, the common problem with conservatories is the limited amount of time in the year they are used. Even in the UK summer, a conservatory gets too hot to enjoy due to the overbearing sun heating the room. Equally as common, during the winter months a conservatory is often too cold to utilise as a seating area in the home.
Leka Systems was founded by industry professionals in response to the growing demand for a better, more efficient alternative to the traditional conservatory system. Having listened to the worries and complaints of conservatory owners and developed the Leka System from observing flaws in other conservatory products, Leka Systems has shared their advice on how to design a fool-proof conservatory for those considering this addition to their home.
Design
A conservatory could be the most significant physical addition that you make to your home, so make sure you think about what you are planning on using it for as this will dictate the type, size and style of your conservatory. A Victorian conservatory is usually the most popular option with a pitched roof, however a T-shaped conservatory will allow you more space and potentially separate rooms. No matter which style you opt for, a conservatory can be an opportunity to explore the possibilities of creative interior design. Seeing your ideas on paper come to life can be very rewarding.
Positioning
One of the most crucial things to identify is what will be the primary use of the conservatory, and the ideal positioning will change depending on this. Most people desire for their conservatory to act as an informal living space, and as such, they can be very successful when placed as an extension to a kitchen-diner or breakfast room. Or perhaps, in the midst of a busy family home, you are implementing a conservatory to act as a grown up retreat. In this case, why not place the structure so it looks onto a tranquil outdoors scene, far away from the hustle and bustle of the family living areas. Of course, it’s also vital to consider which way you want the conservatory to face. If south facing, your conservatory will be in the sun all year round – but this isn’t necessarily a good thing, depending on how you intend to use the space.
Roof and glazing
There are many options available to personalise your roof and glazing in order to make your conservatory work for you. Nowadays, you can even get solar controlled glass, which means ample light can enter the space but won’t cause it to overheat. Another development in glazing technology which is extremely popular is self-cleaning glass. With minimal effort on your part, your conservatory windows will stay clean and clear throughout the year. You might also decide to install a glazed roof, using your glazing of choice, to maximise the amount of light in the room. The benefit of a glazed roof is also the fact that the conservatory feels like a very different, distinct space when compared to the rest of the house. If you would like the structure to blend in with the existing property though, a tiled roof will provide more insulation and will seamlessly blend the old with the new. Even if you do opt for a solid roof, you can still enjoy an abundance of natural sunlight with skylight windows.
The surrounding landscape
When developing the plans for your conservatory, an area will need to be cleared for the ground works. Following the build, you want to make sure the space surrounding your beautiful new room doesn’t remain a building site. Ensure you plan the external landscaping in advance, so the conservatory will blend seamlessly with the garden. In much the same way, don’t underestimate the view you will be bringing into the room. The design of the conservatory and how it will look from the exterior is key, but arguably the most rewarding part is the garden view that will be brought inside. Always make sure you think about how the windows and doors could be set up to maximise that view.
