Conservatories For All

In the past homeowners with attractive timber sash windows were very slow to upgrade them, even thought they envied those who were able to install uPVC windows.  The reason they baulked at the chance of replacing their windows was that they considered uPVC as a material to be incompatible with the style of their home.  However with the improvement in production techniques of uPVC sash windows, they are very difficult to distinguish from timber sash windows and homeowners are revisiting the option of installing uPVC double glazing windows.

Sash uPVC windows have various advantages over their timber and aluminum counterparts.  They include:

1.    Energy Efficiency:  There is no doubt that having character timber windows in your residence makes it attractive, but good looks can only carry you so far, and there is little point in having a residence that looks well, if falls far short when it comes to energy efficiency.  Having uPVC windows throughout your home will assist you in cutting down on your fuel bills and this in turn will save you money.  Given that there is talk of residential carbon taxes being introduced, now is the time to reduce your carbon footprint.  Older timber sash windows, more so than many other window types, have a tendancy to allow in cold air around poorly fitted sashes.
2.     Ease of cleaning and maintenance:  A uPVC sash window will need little maintenance, in comarison to a timber windows which should get regular painting in order to stop damp weather from causing them damage.  Modern sash windows can be purchased with a tilt and turn feature, which makes them much safer to clean.  Instead of having to lean out of the window with a cleaning coth, you can simply tilt the window at an angle that allows you to work safely.
3.    Safety and security: Due to the fact that good quality uPVC windows have advanced locking technology in the framework, new sash windows are much more of a deterrant to burglars than old timber windows.
4.    Selection of styles and colors:  Until recently the range of colours and styles that  uPVC sash windows were available in was limited.  However all of that has changed and now you can get any style of sash window you like in a wide range of colours.  So if whether for example, you are trying  to replace traditional windows or want uPVC sliding sash windows, you will not be dissapointed with what is on offer.

Getting a double glazing quote should not cost you anything and will help you to plan for imporving your windows.  So if you have been considering your options with regard to your old sash windows, you should carry out some research on uPVC sash windows, because changing your old timber sash windows has never been easier and never been more worthwhile.

In recent decades uPVC double glazed windows have become more and more popular as the windows of choice when homeowners are planning to build a new home, or when they are replacing their existing windows.  uPVC double glazing has become so popular in fact, that it is now the most installed type of window in the world.  The reason for this is not difficult to understand.  uPVC windows have various advantages over all other window types that have helped them to become the obvious choice in most cases when owners are considering their options.  These advantages include:

•    uPVC double glazing windows are perhaps the most effective windows to help improve the energy efficiency of your home at a price that is affordable.  There are various types of uPVC windows, such as uPVC sash windows and uPVC casement windows and you should always check out the performance ability of the particular windows that you are interested in, but a reasonably quality uPVC window will help you save money in the medium to long term by allowing you to spend less on heating oil.  Getting a double glazing quote is normally free of charge and is recommended in order so that you are aware of your glazing options.
•    Until recently these windows were only available in a very limited range of colors and styles.  However all of that has changed and uPVC double glazed windows come in all shapes, styles and most importantly colors.  It is very easy for you to find a window style that will be appropriate for your home and in a color you like.  You can also find uPVC  glazing for such areas as conservatories or other specific areas of the home.
•    uPVC double glazed units are safer and more secure than their timber and aluminum cousins.  This is because double glazing is much more difficult to break than single glazing, so family members are less likely to get hurt and burglars are less likely to be able to enter you home without attracting attention.
•    Timber windows should be painted every five years and perhaps more often if you are living in a damp or harsh climate.  If this is not done then these windows will be inclined to warp or even rot.  Many homeowners accept this as a necessary chore.  However a uPVC double glazing window will never have to be painted and will require only limited operation al maintenance to keep it in good working order.
•    Surveys have shown that when potential tenants and purchasers are viewing properties, one of the first items that they want to check off their ‘must have’ lists is uPVC double glazing.  This is because they know that by having these windows installed their heating bills will be lower.

Purchasing double glazed windows and doors can be a very rewarding experience as installing the proper units can have many benefits for your home.  In addition to improved insulation and thermal capacity double glazing will make your home more secure, safer, and better able to repel noise pollution.

In addition to these factors, having double glazed windows will improve the chances of you selling your home successfully, should you decide to do so.  However it is important to get the best double glazing quote before you commit to purchasing new windows and doors.  uPVC double glazing is the most popular type of glazing, but you can get timber or aluminum double glazed windows also.

There are many different double glazing prices being quoted for products that often look the very same.  So what makes one brand or type of window better than another? It is important to carry out a lot of research if you want to get ahead of the game when it comes to selecting double glazing.  This is not that difficult to do and the best place to start is online.  You can peruse different types and styles of windows from the privacy of your home and get a double glazing online quote without having salespeople camped on your doorstep.  Even if you eventually decide to purchase your windows from a local supplier you can use the double glazing online quotes you have received from the web to good bargaining effect.

Here are some points that you should consider when looking for double glazed products:

•    The more double glazing quotes that you get, the easier it is for you to make an educated decision.  There may be more to the quote than just the price, so it pays to read what each manufacturer is offering.
•    Choose double glazing that comes in at your budget. While having double glazing will in the longer term save you money, there is no point in going deeply into debt in order to get it.  You could consider less expensive options, such as secondary glazing or getting some of your windows fitted with double glazing, or perhaps just doing one room, such as your conservatory.
•    Check with your local planning authority that it is in order for you to change your existing windows if you are considering replacing them. If you have timber sash windows in your home for example, the planners may not be happy to see you have installed uPVC sash windows.  It should not be difficult to find out and could save you the embarrassment and expense of having to remove your windows again.
•    If you find a company that gives you a good double glazing quote, check them out as best you can and ask them how long it will take them to install the windows or the glazing. A reputable company should be able to provide you with plenty of references.

You may have to do some work before you get the double glazing quote that suits your budget and that is given by a reputable firm.  However if you bear in mind that you expect to have your new glazing in place for a long time, you will realize that it is worth you putting in the effort at this stage.

Selecting a conservatory for your home should be all about you.  There is a variety of different types and styles of conservatories on the market, and by the time you add in the various construction materials that can be used, the myriad of colours that can be incorporated into the conservatory blinds, fabrics and furniture and all of the other variables involved, the conservatory you end up with on your property can be as individual as you would like it to be.

So what type of conservatory do you think that you would like.  What type of home do you live in? – is it a period or period-style property? What is your homes’ topographical aspect?  If you want your conservatory to be on the sunny facing side of the residence, then depending on whether that is the front, rear or side of the house, this may dictate a certain style of conservatory to you.   Is your home single story or a bungalow type dwelling? – there are conservatories to suit all types and it will often come down to a personal preference.  Whether you decide to build a bespoke conservatory or to purchase a sunroom at a knock down price in a conservatories sale these are all questions you will want to answer.

Below we have compiled a list of the most common types of conservatories as a launching pad for you to start considering which type of conservatory may suit you.

The Pleasure Of Eating In Conservatories - image courtesy of www.tanglewoodconseratories.com

Victorian Conservatories
These are probably one of the most popular and most versatile types of conservatories. It normally has three, or maybe, but less common, five facets (sides) at the front, a bit like a curved bay window and it has a steeply pitched roof and ornate ridge details.

One advantage of a Victorian conservatory (see image) is that the front facets give it a rounded, softer appearance and it can work equally well in a large garden or in a smaller garden or patio where space may be an issue. This attribute is what makes it one of the most frequently seen conservatories. It can also work well in a corner position of a residence, again because the rounded front helps diffuse sharp angles.

Edwardian Conservatories
Edwardian conservatories, (a.k.a. Regency and Georgian conservatories), are similar in style and ornate design to Victorian conservatories, except that they are rectangular in shape, which gives them a strong clean shape, as was preferred in the Edwardian era. The rectangular shape gives Edwardian conservatories (see image) an advantage over Victorian conservatories, with regard to better use of floor space. Confusion can arise when one removes the corner of an Edwardian conservatory to give it a Victorian look.

Victorian & Edwardian Double Hipped Conservatories are similar in style and have the same features and advantages as normal Victorian or Edwardian conservatories. The difference is to be found in the roof design of a double hippd conservatory, where in addition to being sloped at the sides, it  is also sloped at the rear.  This allows it to be incorporated into a building where a standard conservatory would have height restrictions.

Lean-to Conservatories
A Lean-to conservatory is a very uninspiring name and one  that for me evokes visions of a cattle shed rather than a conservatory style, but thankfully when your friends do ask, you can describe it as a Mediterranean style or a garden room conservatory instead.  Sunroom conservatories and sun lounges also come under the  heading lean to conservatory.

The style  of the lean to conservatory is timeless and unfussy, rectangular or square in shape and with a single roof pitch. It has been a popular style since conservatories started being used and is very used still to the present day. Decorative detail can be added to give a more substantial appearance. The lean to conservatory, due to its simple nature, is very flexible and has a modern feel. It can be used in most any situation and makes very good use of ground space.  One additional feature of this type of conservatory is that it is cost effective to build.

For more conservatory styles and types, have a look at our follow on article, ‘Selecting A Conservatory – Part 2‘.