Conservatories, also known as sunrooms or solariums, are a great way to add extra space to your home at a substantially lower cost than a typical brick home addition. With the right accessories and heating, a conservatory provides a usable room all year round. A light, sunny space in the summer that acts as an extension to the garden or a warm cosy space in the winter, conservatories can also be a place to enjoy some quiet time away from the kids.
One significant cost for this home addition will be the construction of the conservatory and this will depend upon the type and size of conservatory required. Obviously, the larger the ground area covered, the higher the cost will be, so it pays to take budget into consideration here. Just because you have an eight-square-metre piece of land to fill doesn’t necessarily mean that you should stretch your finances to fill it.
The style of conservatory will also be an important consideration. A simple lean-to style will of course cost less than a more extensive construction. Do-it-yourself construction will be considerably cheaper than choosing a company, such as Craft-Bilt Materials, to build the conservatory for you, as labour charges can be saved, but this is no small undertaking, so it is best to consider the amount and complexity of the work involved – weigh up the cost of hiring someone against the time and effort you’ll need to put in before deciding to take on the job yourself.
It is wise to plan items such as flooring, heating and decoration before the conservatory is actually constructed. That way, the cost of including these things can be taken out of the budget in the early stages and there will be no nasty surprises later.
Keep your conservatory cool in summer and warm in winter.
Given that the conservatory walls and roof are primarily made up of glass, it should be no surprise that overheating can become a problem in the summer. If the room becomes uncomfortably warm because of the sun, it will become less usable, so forward thinking is essential.
There are a number of ways that the summer temperature of the room can be controlled. Heat-reflective coatings for the glass panels in the roof can be one way of cooling the space, while thermal blinds could provide the answer if the budget is very tight.
If there is a little more money to spare, a temperature-controlled roof vent that opens automatically to allow heat to escape and cool air to enter is an excellent idea. These can also have sensors built in that detect rain and close the vent automatically.
Similarly, the cost of heating the room in the winter is also a vital consideration. Under-floor heating is a great idea, or for a more rustic style, a wood-burning stove might appeal. In addition, the cost of adding electricity and lighting to the conservatory needs to be added to the overall cost.
Conservatories are a worthwhile investment.
To make the room more comfortable, it is also important to factor in the costs of furnishings. Purchasing a three-piece suite, coffee table, storage units, bookshelves and a media or television unit will make the room more practical or functional, but the expense of adding these items should not be overlooked.
Many online suppliers of conservatory furniture have a greater range of furnishings available at lower costs than some high-street stores, and this could help to save on some of the costs involved.
Overall, adding a conservatory is a worthwhile investment that adds value to the home; you can avoid and potential pitfalls by planning carefully and keeping a close eye on your budget.
Author Bio:
Jamie Knop a blogger from the UK who writes on behalf of http://www.2furnish.co.uk.
Are you thinking of adding a conservatory, sunroom, solarium or atrium to your home? Then you should take a look at EiEi Home’s home improvement experts.
