In this post we look at some of the key considerations when positioning the Conservatory or Sunroom doors. At Conservatory Designs we recommend you consider the following issues before deciding on the best location for the doors.

 

a) Conservatory doors are glazed fully to the floor and as such, direct your attention when you enter the room. Position the doors facing the longest point of the garden if possible, this gives the effect that the garden is bigger than it actually is.

b) Try to have the doors facing a feature in the garden, something that is easy on the eye rather than say a wall. Remember your first focus of attention will be through the doors.

c) The location of the conservatory doors will also affect the layout of the furniture and this can be important if the room is not particularly large. Do you need to keep a long wall for a couch, if so then maybe position the doors to the front of the conservatory? Remember if you are putting a T.V. into the conservatory or sunroom then the back of the TV should face the sun so not to have glare on the screen, will this affect the location of both the furniture and the doors?

d) It is also advisable to try to have the shortest distance from the house to the garden, this will ensure the minimum amount of floor space is wasted and also minimise traffic through the room.

e) If using French doors then consider the direction of the wind, if the doors face into the wind, then make sure that the leading door opens against the wind not with it. This will ensure that if there is a gust of wind that the door will be closed by the wind not opened where it might get damaged.

f) If considering new doors from the house into the Conservatory or Sunroom the remember to fit the doors to the outside of the reveal so that they can fold back onto the house wall 180 degrees and use up valuable floor space. Doors fitted to the middle of an opening can only open 90 degrees which will obstruct furniture and usable space when left opened.

 

If you need any advice when designing your new Conservatory or Sunroom then contact our office at 045 844002 or at www.conservatorydesigns.ie

Do I need Planning Permission for a conservatory?

Small scale domestic extensions, including conservatories, do not require planning permission if the extension is to the rear of the house and comply with the following:

• The original floor area of the house is not increased by more than 40 square metres. It is important to note that where the house has been extended before, the floor area of the extension you are now proposing and the floor area of any previous extension, including those for which you got planning permission, cannot exceed 40 square metres;
• The Conservatory does not exceed the height of the house;
• The Conservatory does not reduce the area of private open space, reserved for the occupants of the house, to less than 25 square metres.

There is also a rule which states any windows proposed at ground floor level as part of an extension/Conservatory should not be less than 1 metre from the boundary they face. If you are planning a conservatory which will be within 1 Metre of the boundary wall then a solid wall rather than glass should be used in this instanceP

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.

Conservatory Designs Ltd specialise in building Energy Efficient Conservatories and Sunrooms.

 

There are four key elements to ensuring the best insulation for your conservatory

 

1. Glass
2. Conservatory framework
3. Wall and floor insulation
4. Roof glazing

 

Glass: Heat loss is measured by the U value, which in simple terms is the speed that heat can move through a material, so the lower the U value the slower the heat moves through the glass and the better the insulation. Traditional double glazed units and those used in most homes in the Ireland have a U value of 2.5, at Conservatory Designs we use Vista Therm Elite glazing which offers a U value of 1.1, over twice the insulation of normal double glazing, and this ensures that your conservatory will be warm and easy to heat in the winter.

 

Conservatory Framework: Little attention is paid by consumers to the actual structure of the conservatory. At Conservatory Designs we use the thickest and best insulated framework on the market. The rafters which hold the roof glazing have two chambers on the exterior which offer excellent insulation and minimises heat loss from the roof. The photos below show the comparison between our chambered rafter and the cheaper versions on the market, which although quiet similar from the outside, the single skin rafter capping is clearly inferior from both a structural and insulating point of view.

 

Our side framework is a full 70mm thick compared with the industry norms of 58mm. The photographs below show the comparison between a 58mm and 70mm frame.

 

 

The additional width and larger chambers of the 70mm frame offers much improved strength and insulation.

 

Wall and floor insulation: Conservatory Designs Ltd offer two services, a supply and fit on a prepared site or a full turnkey service where we carry out all the works to include the conservatory floor, walls and plastering etc. It is essential that the correct insulation is used in all external walls and the conservatory floor. A cold floor can act like a giant fridge in the conservatory sucking the heat from the room. We use and recommend Kingspan insulation products, these foil backed insulating boards provide long term thermal performance over the lifetime of the building and are CFC/HCFC-free with zero Ozone Depletion Potential. The foil backing on the sheets acts like a mirror reflecting heat back into the room.

 

Roof glazing: We offer two choices of roof glazing, 35mm seven ply polycarbonate and Pilkington Activ glass. Both materials offer U values of less than 1.2 and are available in choice of tints to suit the direction of the conservatory and the amount of sunlight required into the house. Again there are inferior products available which will appear similar and will cost less. Most roofs on the market offer 25mm Polycarbonate which only has 5 layers instead of seven and this compromises the insulation values of the roof.

 

Below you will find the links to each of the roof glazing options with their respective U values and properties

25mm Polycarbonate

http://www.brettmartin.com/roofing/polycarbonate/marlonst/range/fvw25mm.aspx

35mm Polycarbonate

http://www.brettmartin.com/roofing/polycarbonate/marlonst/range/35mm7wall.aspx

Pilkington Activ Roof Glass

http://www.pilkington.com/resources/activconservatoryliteratureaug08.pdf

The final consideration to ensuring a warm, cosy and economical conservatory is the form of heating used. The quickest, easiest and cheapest to install is a simple electric heater, however these are also the most expensive to run. It is our experience that people are reluctant to use the heaters due to the cost and therefore lose out being able to use the conservatory in the winter months. At Conservatory Designs Ltd we plumb radiators from the house system as standard, this may involve adding a stronger pump to the heating system but it ensures the most cost effective and comfortable heating and ensures that your conservatory is an all year around room.

For further information and Energy Efficient Conservatories contact our office at 045 844002 or info@conservatorydesigns.ie

Conservatory prices are based on a number of key factors. With consumers now extremely price conscious we have outlined the key items for you to consider: Conservatories are not all the same, here are the key specifications you MUST have in your conservatory, leaving these out to reduce cost will be regretted in the long term.

1. 70mm frame: Many companies in an effort to reduce prices offer a house window specification in the conservatory. Remember a house window does not need any strength, it does not hold up the house, your conservatory frames however do hold up the house or the roof to be precise. I am not suggesting the conservatory will fall down but it will be more susceptible to movement, particularly during high winds and during snowfalls. You can guess what happens to a structure if it constantly shaken over a period of 10 years…yes you will get cracks and maybe even seals breaking.
2. Conservatory frames should be fully reinforced. Did you know there is a difference between reinforced and fully reinforced? A reinforced conservatory section has any section over 600mm long reinforced, sections under 600mm there is no reinforcing. A FULLY reinforced conservatory section will have reinforcing throughout the complete framework. There is a significant difference in price! At Conservatory Designs you don’t have to ask, everything is fully reinforced, but don’t just take our word for it, look at the show conservatories, bang the walls and you will see the difference.
3. The thickness of polycarbonate if this is your choice of roof. There are three main thicknesses available, 3 ply 16mm (rare now except in the real cheapies), 5 ply 25mm (seems to be the industry standard) and 7 ply 35mm which is what we use and recommend, yes it is dearer but there is a significant difference in the insulation values. Our conservatory roof sheeting offers double the insulation of the older traditional double glazed units.
4. Double glazed units should have a U value of 1.1 as a minimum. Conservatory Designs uses the brand leader in the field: Vista Therm and Irish made.
5. Proper foundations for the conservatory or Sunroom. Our conservatories are proper home extensions and as such are built using traditional building methods and insulated to modern building standards. There are still contractors who are pouring a concrete slab on the lawn onto which to build a conservatory, this contravenes every building regulation; however will you know if you are at work while this work is going on in your garden. At the end of the day it is all about trust, you cant be there all the time so you need to be able to trust the company you are dealing with 100%.

Last but not least remember you can buy the best conservatory on the market but at the end of the day the the quality of the job depends on the calibre of fitters who erect the conservatory. At Conservatory Designs we charge enough to be able to employ the top trades people in the business, people who we have worked with and know for years. Remember also that dirty word profit, every company is in business to make a profit, conservatory companies that make a profit will survive and will be around to honour guarantees and deal with any service issues, those that don’t make a profit will not be around. At Conservatory Designs we have a very lean business model which allows us to offer the top specifications and a very competitive price and still make a profit. This is a win win.

We suggest you take the time to visit our showrooms and see for yourself, we can arrange a home visit then if you require. Please note we do not engage in any pressure selling or sales gimmicks.

This is a very common question and the answer I’m afraid is not a simple yes or no. Every client has a different reason for adding a sunroom or conservatory to their home. For many it is an escape area from a growing family. The sunroom or conservatory offers a peaceful haven away from the T.V. and teenagers, or maybe it is used as a home office and in these cases leaving the room open plan is not a good idea.

If it is room that will be used all day every day and you want it as an integral part of the home then removing the doors and creating a larger open living space can be very successful. On the other hand if the conservatory or sunroom will only be used in the evening or Sunday morning then by creating an open plan area you are increasing your future heating costs as it will have to be heated whether or not it is being used.

Security is also an important consideration, while all our conservatory and sunroom doors have seven security locks and all the glass is internally glazed, these specifications are not industry standards. We do not recommend removing the house doors until you are sure you have adequate security with your new conservatory doors.

I have found that the question is often asked by clients who have existing doors which are unsuitable for the job. These generally fall into two categories; the first being Patio sliding doors of which only one half opens. The second pane of the door is a fixed section and therefore creates a fixed glass screen between two rooms, so a 6ft door opening will leave an open area of less than 3ft when you allow for handles etc. The second problem is where there are two doors opening out but they only open out 90 degrees eating into the floor space and using up valuable space for furniture n the conservatory or sunroom.

Neither of these options are perfect and in this climate people understandably do not want to throw out good doors.

One solution if the client wants to retain their doors is we can remove their existing hinged doors and move them to the outside of the wall reveal which will then allow the existing doors to fold back fully on the house wall and not use up as much room.

At our Conservatory Designs showroom we have a sample of internal doors we offer, these are typically 6ft wide but we put in a fixed window on each side and then put a set of doors in the centre opening out, by using the screens on each side the doors have a smaller sweep when they open out, they will be able to fold back on the house wall fully so no valuable floor space is wasted, in fact they can be left open all day and only shut at night if required. With seven locks as with all our conservatory and sunroom doors, you benefit from an extra level of security.

At Conservatory Designs Ltd. we use two principles methods for constructing sunrooms. The first is more like a solid roof conservatory with the main structure consisting of the Upvc windows, just like a conservatory with a steel superstructure of 100mm by 100mm box steel to carry the weight of the concrete tiles or slates. This method maximises the amount of light in the Sunroom and into the interior room of the house.

Alternatively we can build the Sunroom using the “traditional build” method which is to build the structure using a traditional block walls but with a large amount of openings in the wall for windows. This gives the effect of a bright room rather than a conservatory.
It is worth noting that while we can make the sunroom as bright as possible it often darkens down the room, over which the Sunroom is constructed, significantly. While this can be mitigated using Velux roof lights it will not fully compensate for the loss of light. Anyone considering a Sunroom should expect the need the additional lighting inside during the winter months.

You will note from our planning section that you do not require planning permission for a conservatory or sunroom if it is to the rear of the development, you have not already added to the house which together with the conservatory would increase the original footprint of your home by 40sqm and you are not planning on having glass within 1M of the boundary fence/wall. While the planning process is seen as a two month process beware you really need to allow a minimum of 4 months. Why is this? Firstly you will need to get the drawings completed, the application prepared and the newspaper notice placed, so allow two weeks for this process. The planning process itself will take 2 months, then you have to wait for a month for objections. Assuming that there are no objections upheld you then have to wait for your “decision to grant” notice to be posted out, when this is received you then have to lodge a commencement notice giving at least 14 days notice before the work can start. When you add it up it’s a minimum of 4 months. This is important at this time of the year for those planning to eat their christmas dinner in their conservatory, we really need to be getting the process moving now to ensure everything is place to complete the work in time for the festivities. Conservatory Designs offer a complete planning service, we look after all the paperwork, drawings and form filling for you. For further information please give the office a call on 045 844002

June has been a warm month which might explain the increase in sales of our Heat Guard Polycarbonate roof. Heat Guard was our most popular roof for the month of June. The roof which is seven layers thick has three outer layers of a reflective material, this basically reflects a lot of heat back off the roof, in fact the outer surface has a silver colour which almost looks like a mirror. This creates a cooler environment inside on a hot day. Its excellent insulation properties still ensure any heat generated from within is maintained within the conservatory. It has also been a good month to demonstrate out Pilkington Active Blue roof glazing. It certainly is very effective at reducing the glare maximising the light into the existing living area. The great thing about our showcentre is that you can visit in all weathers and “test drive” your conservatory before you make the final choices all in a no pressure sales environment.

This is probably the most common question we are asked and a very valid one at that. The answer unfortunately is not so straight forward. Here are the most important aspects to consider;

1. If you are overlooked then polycarbonate should be considered, it will offer complete privacy from overlooking neighbours. The alternative is to consider a glass roof with blinds although this can add a significant sum to the budget.
2. What direction is the conservatory facing. A south facing conservatory will have direct sun on it for most of the day and can be hot in the summer months, we would normally recommend a tinted roof for this application, either a tinted polycarbonate or a solar control glass such as out Activ Blue glazing at our showroom. North facing conservatories will have little sun and it is important to maximise the light to the house, we would normally recommend a clear glass roof or clear polycarbonate, if the budget allows glass would be preferable. East and west facing conservatories benefit from sun at different times of the day and so a careful balance needs to be made between making the conservatory comfortable and maximising light to the house. Again Activ Blue glass or an opal polycarbonate would be suitable.
3. What is your budget? Glass is a more expensive option with the typical glass roof adding €1200 to €2000 to the overall price depending on the complexity of the shapes of the roof sections.
4. Noise. Polycarbonate is a composite sheet of seven layers of plastic, it is therefore noisier than glass during heavy rain, many of our clients like to be able to sit in the conservatory and hear the rain while others cannot tolerate it. I suggest a visit to the showroom on a rainy day and you can make a decision very quickly.
5. Aesthetics. Do you want to star gaze or do you prefer a ceiling, again this is a matter for the individual and again a visit to the showrooms should make the decision a lot easier.

With all the focus currently on energy efficiency the term U value is cropping up in conversations from attic insulation to double glazing. So what is a U value.

To put it simply, U-Value is the measure of the rate of heat loss through a material. Thus in all aspects of home design one should strive for the lowest U-Values possible because the lower the U-value – the less heat that is needlessly escaping. So for example single glazed windows have a typical U-value of 5.6 W/m2K while double glazed windowshave a typical U-value of 2.8 W/m2K or lower. At Conservatory Designs we insist on a minimum U value of 1.2 for all your glazing products, this might cost a little extra but the payback comes quickly in both reduced energy costs but more importantly the comfort in the winter months. The calculation of U-values can be rather complex – it is measured as the amount of heat lost through a one square meterof the material for every degree difference in temperature either side of the material. It is indicated in units of Watts perMeter Squared per Degree Kelvin or W/m2K.

Almost all of our conservatory designs can incorporate a tiled or slated roof. The extra loading necessitates the use of a steel superstructure or relies on the more traditional masonry construction methods. Care must be taken when considering a sunroom as the solid roof will block sunlight from the main dwelling. Careful positioning of roof lights is essential.

Side Glazing

Conservatories Designs use Vista Therm Elite glass in all their sunroom projects.  Vista Therm Elite glazing will:

• Eliminate heat loss in the cool months
• Help cut energy costs
• Make your Sunroom 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 sunroom 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

Our Sunrooms are available with a choice of slate or tile finish with typically two Velux roof lights and a plastered ceiling. Timer sheeted ceilings are available however these can substantially reduce the light to the main house.

Methods of building Sunrooms/Solid roof conservatories

At Conservatory Designs Ltd. we use two principles methods for constructing sunrooms. The first is more like a solid roof conservatory with the main structure consisting of the Upvc windows, just like a conservatory with a steel superstructure of 100mm by 100mm box steel to carry the weight of the concrete tiles or slates. This method maximises the amount of light in the sunroom and into the interior room of the house.

Alternatively we can build the sunroom using the “traditional build” method which is to build the structure using a traditional block walls but with a large amount of openings in the wall for windows. This gives the effect of a bright room rather than a conservatory. It is worth noting that while we can make the sunroom as bright as possible it often darkens down the room, over which the Sunroom is constructed, significantly. While this can be mitigated using Velux roof lights it will not fully compensate for the loss of light. Anyone considering a sunroom should expect the need the additional lighting inside during the winter months.

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

Most conservatories built on semi-detached homes will require a wall on the side adjoining the neighboring property. I am continually amazed at the number of times I hear prospective clients say to me that other companies are quoting to build the conservatory using the existing garden wall. This breaks every rule in the book and while it may be the cheapest option in the short-term it will definitely be a very expensive option in the long run. First of all you do not own the garden wall it is shared with your neighbour, imagine building your conservatory and then have your neighbour decide they don’t like it and would like it taken down! Secondly these garden walls have minimal if any foundations, as everyone knows if you do not start the job on firm foundations you certainly won’t finish on firm foundations. Thirdly these walls have no damp proofing so imagine the consequences several years on in your new conservatory with creeping damp. Finally and most importantly if you ever decide to sell your home, and remember never say never, this structure would be condemned by a surveyor of the potential buyer resulting in the possible loss of the sale of your home or a hefty discount off the asking price. So make sure you are being quoted for a properly designed conservatory which will comply with all current building regulations.

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

Conservatory Designs have just taken delivery of a new suite of design software for sunrooms and conservatories. We can now offer a “design while you wait” service at our showrooms in Johnstown (appointment necessary). The software links through from the design stage to the pricing, manufacture and customer relationship systems already in place ensuring a trouble free process from initial design to finished installation at the client’s home.

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