Conservatory pitfalls: how to get your summer room right first time

Getting a conservatory installed in your garden? Learn about 8 common pitfalls – and how to avoid them.

It's such a shame – after all, one of the best things about a conservatory is that it can be enjoyed all year round. Why spend money on a room that's only usable in the spring and autumn?

The temperature of your conservatory will be affected by several factors. These include:

• The number of windows and vents
• Whether you get blinds installed
• The insulating properties of the roof
• What kind of glass you use

At Calder, we offer specialised warm roof conservatories. It's all down to SupaLite: a type of tiled roof that's specially insulated to ensure a comfortable temperature all year round.

3. Is it allowed?

Ah, planning regulations: a subject of confusion, irritation and suspicion for many homeowners.

There are two dangers here. One, you assume that planning regulations don't apply and push on with an illegal installation. Two, you get flustered about the complexities of the process and end up not bothering.

Neither of these scenarios is ideal. In both cases, you could end up having to take down your beloved sunroom.

Planning regulations aren't rocket science but they're not primary school science, either. Put aside time to check regulations long before spades go in the ground. Alternatively, choose a conservatory company that knows its regulatory onions.

4. Will the roof be quiet?

No one likes a noisy roof – especially in a room designed for relaxation. Yet many people end up with a roof that, when rained on, is far from relaxing.

Your main concern here should be the material you use for the roof. Polycarbonate roofs are cheaper than glass or a tiled roof like SupaLite. However, they can be extremely noisy in bad weather. On top of that, they're less thermally efficient than glass and they block out more light.

So, if you want a roof that maintains a good temperature and muffles outdoor sounds, try SupaLite.

But if you do have to go for polycarbonate, make sure it's good quality. Go cheap and you could end up with a leaking roof.

5. Will it have a good view?

Sure, you want your conservatory to look good from the outside. But what about the views from the inside?

We're not the first to point out that a conservatory can bring the outdoors in, acting as a bridge between house and garden. It only feels like this, however, if your conservatory is positioned to maximise the view.

6. Is it condensation-proof?

Issues with temperature control won't only affect your desire to spend time in your conservatory. They can also cause condensation – a sadly common problem with domestic sunrooms.

If you are afflicted by condensation, you can, of course, set up a dehumidifier. But prevention is better than cure, so make sure you're working with high-quality materials.

7. Will it be too bright?

So, you've planned your conservatory to sit at a point in the garden that has the best of all possible views. You cut the ribbon on the finished extension, pop in for a cup of tea and immediately find yourself squinting.

If your conservatory is placed in an exposed area, you should consider getting anti-glare glass, blinds, or both. Otherwise, you'll be reaching for the eye mask and wishing you'd done your research.

8. Will it be the right size?

This is the big one. People go small because it's cheaper, quicker to build and less likely to require planning permission. They then find themselves pouring tea in a glass-walled Wendy house.

The same issue can arise when people forget to factor furniture into their plans. Whether you're keeping things minimal with a couple of chairs and a table or splashing out on a dining table and chairs, you need to be sure that they'll fit comfortably in the finished sunroom.

How an installer can help

Thinking of building your own conservatory? If you're a DIY don who loves a challenge, crack on. But if your main consideration is saving money, we'd advise you to think again.

Nine times out of 10, DIY conservatory installers are laying booby traps for themselves – booby traps that will cost money to defuse down the line.

A professional installer, by contrast, will make sure you avoid these common pitfalls and ensure your conservatory is a place you want to spend time in. 

Are you looking for a trusted conservatory supplier in West Yorkshire? Get in touch with Calder Windows today.