Conservatories are the way forward!

Conservatories are the way forward!

Conservatories not only offer versatile accommodation, they are also the cheapest route to extra living space in your home and can be built far more quickly than a full-blown extension. 

Some dos and don’ts to get you thinking:

• Do your research – make sure you are buying the best quality structure within your budget
• Do make sure you ask your builder what is included in his quote – is it inclusive of flooring and electrics or will you be left with a bare shell?
• Do install effective heating and ventilation arrangements so that you can use it in all seasons
• Do check out whether you need planning permission or building regulations approval if you go ahead without it you may have to take it down
• Do think about the position of your conservatory – if it’s south facing it will need good ventilation and shade, if it’s north facing it will need efficient heating
• Don’t try and build your own conservatory
• Don’t add a conservatory if it is going to take up too much space in the garden
• Don’t choose a design which is not in keeping with your house

Planning & Building regulations
There is generally no requirement for conservatories to meet Building Regulations in England and Wales if they are separated from the rest of the house, for example by patio doors, the floor area does not exceed 30 square metres and it is not permanently heated. It is advisable to check with your local authority because other restrictions may apply in your area.

Structurally speaking – how’s it made?
Most conservatories will have a concrete foundation and floor slab, cavity brickwork lower walls with glazed upper walls and roof panels set within a framing system. A number of materials can be used for framing, uPVC being the most economical and therefore most commonly used, with aluminium, steel and timber offering alternative options. All will provide a good result, but achieving watertight joints with timber is more dependent on the skill of the installer, and uPVC may not be allowed on listed buildings or in conservation areas.

Glass facts for conservatories:

• Safety: For safety, toughened or laminated glass must be used throughout. Laminated glass offers added security benefits against break-ins and cuts out around 90% of the sun’s UV rays, which fade furnishings.
• Stay cool: To prevent overheating, particularly if your conservatory faces south, use solar control glass or bronze poly carbonate panels for the roof. This can reduce the temperature by several degrees in the summer as well as reducing glare.
• Some conservatory roof systems have ridge ventilation and roof lights that open automatically above a given temperature to allow air to circulate. You should also consider the position of windows and doors to allow a cross flow of air when open.
• Winter warmer: Fitting low-emissivity glass will add just two or three hundred pounds to the bill but significantly reduces heat loss during winter.
• Noise reduction: Glass offers dramatically improved sound reduction compared to 25mm poly carbonate sheets. Polycarbonate roof panels may be less expensive, but they are far noisier than glass when it rains, and can be real conversation stoppers in a downpour. If you want to use your conservatory as a main living room it is worth paying extra for a glass roof

www.candlwindows.co.uk 

C & L Windows and Conservatories Ltd

48, Stroud Road

Gloucester

Gloucestershire

GL1 5AJ

01452 526028

Double Glazing and Winter

Install Double Glazing To Heat Your Home More This Winter -

Double glazing will not only add value to your home but will also help you keep the wind out and the warmth in so that you can save on your heating bills whilst also enjoying the view through your new windows.

 No matter what period your property is we can make sure that your new windows are built to suit the style of your property whether you are looking for something that looks like wood or even something that resembles metal.

Maybe you are looking for something that is stylish, well priced and comes with a team that will go the extra mile for you to ensure that your happiness is fulfilled completely.

Whether you have a grade 2 listed building or a swarm of futuristic design elements our product range will mean you can have the ideal product and at a price that suits your budget.

Temperature control

Helps keep the warmth in during winter & cooler in summer. There are some modern glass types that can enhance the thermal effects. This glass is known as Low e glass. Reduction in heat loss varies from 54% to 64%.

Warmer in Winter

One of the reasons a lot of people choose to retrofit their home is for the thermal benefits. The layer between the two pieces of glass causes a barrier to keep the cold temperatures on the outside from affecting the climate on the inside. The loss of heat through a double glazed unit can be over 54% less than a single glazed window. There are superior glass options that can improve the thermal efficiencies (such as Low-E glass) and argon filled units, reducing the heat loss through your windows up to and greater than 70%. Low E, or Low Emissivity glass, reflects long wave radiation keeping the heat inside the home.

The benefit to you is a warmer, drier home.

Noise pollution

With two layers of glass noise is diluted as it passes through these and an air gap. Laminated glass can also reduce the noise dramatically if it is used as one of the choices of glass. Double glazing maintains a quieter environment to live in. Depending on the type of double glazing selected noise reduction vary from 20% to 77%. Laminated glass reduces noise significantly when included as part of a double glazed unit. This is two pieces of glass bonded together. Research by Dr. John Davy at the CSIRO has shown that secondary windows will reduce more noise than single glazed windows or even traditional double glazed units. This is due to the large buffering air cavity between two windows. The larger the air cavity the more noise the window system can reduce. Depth of the unit i.e. the distance between the pieces of glass has an influence on the noise transmitted. The larger the air cavity the more noise the window system can reduce. 

Security

Depending on the type of glass, harder to break than a single pane of glass. When broken, the shards normally stay in place. The result is improved security. This benefit can be further enhanced by using toughened glass in the double glazing units.

C & L Windows and Conservatories Ltd
48, Stroud Road
Gloucester
Gloucestershire
GL1 5AJ

01452 526028

www.candlwindows.co.uk