Once winter sets in, most people simply abandon the conservatory as being too cold for use. This is a real shame, especially considering how much a conservatory can cost. At Abelglass, we want our customers to be able to enjoy their conservatories all year round, regardless of the weather. That’s why we’ve put together this article to give you some tips on how to make the most of your conservatory year-round.
Make Sure Your Conservatory Glazing Is Up To Scratch
As a conservatory is mostly glass, this is the obvious place to start. High quality insulating double glazing will make a big difference to how warm your conservatory stays during the winter. All double glazing is not created equal, and you’ll soon find that if you settle for the cheapest option, you’ll have a freezing cold conservatory come winter.
Keep an eye out for things like low-emissivity coatings and inert gas cavity fillings. These will improve the performance of double glazed glass. On the other hand, avoid double glazing that has a narrow cavity (less than 16mm is definitely out), or features things like aluminium spacers (these act as “cold bridges”, conducting heat out of the conservatory and into the open air).
Floors Conduct Heat Too
Floors get cold. Obvious enough. That cold floor then saps heat out of the room, conducting it away into the earth. This is a process we can hinder, meaning that your conservatory will stay warmer for longer.
Easy solutions include simply putting a rug down in the winter. This has the added benefit that during summer you can simply take the rug away again. It’s not hugely efficient for heat-saving purposes, but it’s definitely better than nothing. More permanent solutions include underfloor insulation. This takes a little more time and effort to get installed properly but does a much better job of insulating the floor, reducing heat loss during winter.
Finally, Eliminate Draughts
Often, the conservatory doors can let heat escape via draughts. Give your conservatory a thorough check to identify any sources of chilly breezes, and put a stop to them. If your conservatory is getting on a bit, the frames of the windows may be starting to deteriorate and admit draughts – this can be easily fixed by a professional for far less than the cost of replacing the window altogether. A good set of blinds or curtains can also do a lot to eliminate the effects of draughts and can be a stylish addition to your conservatory as well.
We hope you’ve found this article useful, but if you have any questions still or you’d like to winter-proof your own conservatory, Abelglass can help. Get in touch today by calling 01253 893355 or email us at enquiries@abelglass.co.uk.
