What's the difference between a winter conservatory and a summer conservatory?
You're planning to build a conservatory and you're wondering what the difference is between a winter conservatory and a summer conservatory.
- What type of conservatory should you choose for optimum comfort?
- How can you enjoy your conservatory all year round?
- What is a conservatory?
Here's a quick look at the best that's available today!
Winter conservatory or summer conservatory?
Creating additional space
The conservatory is an extra room that allows you to enjoy a covered area with a remarkable view over your garden. It is usually made up of bay windows, making it an extremely light room. Today's conservatories are optimised for our climate. You'll find double and triple glazing instead of single glazing, variable-tint panes, reinforced thermal insulation glazing, electric roller shutters, sunbreakers or even anti-heat blinds.
4 seasons room
When it comes to heating, you have a wide choice, from underfloor heating to heated glazing and inertia radiators. In summer, there are many solutions to reduce the heat emitted by the sun's rays. Integrated blinds are surprisingly effective. On your roof, blackout sandwich panels will keep out the heat by reducing solar reflection. As you can see, the days when conservatories were freezing in winter and stifling in summer are over! If the choice of materials has been meticulous, your additional room will be as welcoming and comfortable in the cold season as it is in the heat of the year.
What do we call a ‘winter garden’?
Also known as an inter-season conservatory, the conservatory is a room where you can enjoy the mild autumn weather while being protected from the elements. Usually unheated, this room is a compromise between the conservatory, which is fully glazed and heated, and the pergola, which has no walls. This enclosed space, heated naturally by the sun's rays, provides a pleasant atmosphere and protects your precious green plants.
Properly laid out, the conservatory is a perfect haven of peace for the mid-season. However, in the middle of winter, this area will provide shelter for your plants, but will be less pleasant than a heated room.
Have you thought about a pergola?
Pergolas can also be used to create a new living space, but they are often confused with conservatories. And with good reason! Today's increasingly modern pergolas have little in common with their predecessors. Remember those? The ones made of wrought iron, on which owners used to let climbing plants grow.
Nowadays, a pergola is still a place to relax and unwind, but it resembles an open conservatory. Its structure, usually in aluminium, comes in a wide range of colours and is very easy to maintain. Its roof has become ultra-modern. It can have adjustable slats, sliding glazing, closing blinds, LED lighting - the choice is vast.
Installing a pergola on your terrace or in your garden is a cheaper solution than building a conservatory. It will allow you to extend the beautiful summer evenings while staying outside. Not least, a pergola doesn't need any special foundations. Conservatories these days are multi-functional, with a host of features that mean they can be enjoyed all year round! Conservatory, pergola, winter garden, whatever your project, your builder will be able to advise you.
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