Did you know the most common mistake made when building a Sunroom is not taking the loss of light to the main house into consideration? Did you know there is a difference between direct light and indirect light in your home?

Conservatory Designs specialise in constructing successful Sunroom designs which try to maximise the amount of sunlight into your home.

Sunrooms have a traditional slate and tile roof, which as you would expect, blocks a considerable amount of light from the room over which you build the sunroom. While the sunroom may be bright and airy, you may be left in a situation where you have to have the lights on in the internal room on a daily basis.

So what are the key elements to ensuring that you will maximise the light to the house

1. Construct the Sunroom with as highest possible an eave height possible, this will maximise the amount of direct sunlight to the internal room, and as the days get darker it ensures more light for longer.

1. Plaster and paint the ceiling rather than sheeting in timber. Timber sheeting which may appear as a cosy alternative is also a much darker option. Plastering the ceiling and painting white reflects a lot of light back into the house

1. Consider a Pavilion front to the Sunroom. A Pavilion front is basically a glass gable in the front of the sunroom instead of sloping the roof down at the front. It is more expensive option but will allow more light into the house.

1. Put in at least three roof lights into the roof, four if the design allows and the bigger the better. While many companies offer two roof lights as standard, our standard is the “as many as possible”. The more roof lights in the room then the brighter the room.

1. Consider widening internal windows in the house or converting to doors to allow more light penetrate into the internal rooms. Also be careful with the interior design, you should consider using bright colours which will also reflect light back into the house from the sunroom.

Before deciding on a sunroom remember your internal rooms will be darker, if this is an important factor then perhaps consider an energy efficient conservatory as an alternative. Also bear in the mind that all of the above suggestions cost more and may not be offered as a standard specification, at Conservatory Designs Ltd, we only offer the specification which ensures the best outcome for the client so remember no two quotations are alike though they may appear similar.

At Conservatory Designs, we build every conservatory twice, once in the factory and once in the garden. This process adds some cost to the process so why do we do it? Firstly we get a better finish in the factory, there is no cutting in the garden everything is cut by machine so no human error and when there is a human error we catch it at the factory. Our roof glazing is also cut in the factory and checked for size before being carefully wrapped for dispatch. For you the customer this means no delays and “coming and going” at your home, a quicker installation time so less disruption at your home and finally a better finish than any other job, something Peter Clarke and his team are renowned for. If you like we can take a photo of your job on the factory floor as a momentum, great for the “before and after” shot.

Conservatory Designs Ltd is experienced in designing and installing a variety of unique styles. Bespoke conservatory designs are ideal for tricky sites or just simply for people wanting something different.

Built to your own specifications bespoke conservatories offer the ultimate in flexibility and choice.

Whether you desire something simple or intricate our conservatory designers will be able to guide you through the whole process advising you at every stage on how to make the most out of your new space.

Side Glazing

Conservatories Designs use Vista Therm Elite glass in all their projects. No more too hot in summer and too cold in winter. Vista Therm Elite glazing will:

• Eliminate heat loss in the cool months
• Help cut energy costs
• Make your conservatory more comfortable during winter

This glass is the latest and most revolutionary development in low emissivity glass with a U value of 1.1m/m2k. Heat generated within the room is reflected internally back into the room while cold from the outside is reflected back out while retaining 100% of the light transmission.

For further information, download our Elite glazing brochure .

Roof Glazing

We offer a choice of 35mm polycarbonate which incorporates 7 layers of insulation or Vista Therm Blue Elite glass.

Marlon

Our Marlon range of Polycarbonate is available in a range of colours including Clear, Tinted, Opal, and Tint on Opal. Polycarbonate is a remarkable insulating glazing material with a U value of 1.2. matching that of our Elite glass. Those clients whose conservatory may be overlooked by neighbours may also prefer the privacy offered by polycarbonate.

For further information, view the Marlon Thermal properties

Pilkington Active Blue glass

The alternative to Polycarbonate roofing is to use Pilkington Active Blue glass. This glazing option combines the Vista Therm Elite glazing to the inside with a blue tint antisun glass to the outside. The outside pane also has self cleaning solar control capabilities given the right conditions.
The attractive blue tint was specially designed for conservatory roofs and also offers excellent light transmission.

For further information, download the Pilkington Activ Blue glass brochure

The Lean-To conservatory is probably the simplest in design and originally the most popular conservatory option. With its clean lines and timeless appearance the Lean-To conservatory style is still a very popular choice today. We can adjust the height to suit both two story houses and bungalows. There is also the option to put hipped ends and also a a bay feature to create a more elegant look.

Side Glazing

Conservatories Designs use Vista Therm Elite glass in all their projects. No more too hot in summer and too cold in winter. Vista Therm Elite glazing will:

• Eliminate heat loss in the cool months
• Help cut energy costs
• Make your conservatory more comfortable during winter

This glass is the latest and most revolutionary development in low emissivity glass with a U value of 1.1m/m2k. Heat generated within the room is reflected internally back into the room while cold from the outside is reflected back out while retaining 100% of the light transmission.

For further information, download our Elite glazing brochure .

Roof Glazing

We offer a choice of 35mm polycarbonate which incorporates 7 layers of insulation or Vista Therm Blue Elite glass.

Marlon

Our Marlon range of Polycarbonate is available in a range of colours including Clear, Tinted, Opal, and Tint on Opal. Polycarbonate is a remarkable insulating glazing material with a U value of 1.2. matching that of our Elite glass. Those clients whose conservatory may be overlooked by neighbours may also prefer the privacy offered by polycarbonate.

For further information, view the Marlon Thermal properties

Pilkington Active Blue glass

The alternative to Polycarbonate roofing is to use Pilkington Active Blue glass. This glazing option combines the Vista Therm Elite glazing to the inside with a blue tint antisun glass to the outside. The outside pane also has self cleaning solar control capabilities given the right conditions.

The attractive blue tint was specially designed for conservatory roofs and also offers excellent light transmission.

For further information, download the Pilkington Activ Blue glass brochure

The Victorian style conservatory is the most popular style of conservatory and is probable one of the most versatile. Its main feature is a bay style curved front that is normally designed with 3 facets, its pitched roof and ornate ridge details.

Side Glazing

Conservatories Designs use Vista Therm Elite glass in all their projects. No more too hot in summer and too cold in winter. Vista Therm Elite glazing will:

• Eliminate heat loss in the cool months
• Help cut energy costs
• Make your conservatory more comfortable during winter

This glass is the latest and most revolutionary development in low emissivity glass with a U value of 1.1m/m2k. Heat generated within the room is reflected internally back into the room while cold from the outside is reflected back out while retaining 100% of the light transmission.

For further information, download our Elite glazing brochure .

Roof Glazing

We offer a choice of 35mm polycarbonate which incorporates 7 layers of insulation or Vista Therm Blue Elite glass.

Marlon

Our Marlon range of Polycarbonate is available in a range of colours including Clear, Tinted, Opal, and Tint on Opal. Polycarbonate is a remarkable insulating glazing material with a U value of 1.2. matching that of our Elite glass. Those clients whose conservatory may be overlooked by neighbours may also prefer the privacy offered by polycarbonate.

For further information, view the Marlon Thermal properties

Pilkington Active Blue glass

The alternative to Polycarbonate roofing is to use Pilkington Active Blue glass. This glazing option combines the Vista Therm Elite glazing to the inside with a blue tint antisun glass to the outside. The outside pane also has self cleaning solar control capabilities given the right conditions.
The attractive blue tint was specially designed for conservatory roofs and also offers excellent light transmission.

For further information, download the Pilkington Activ Blue glass brochure