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Choosing to build a conservatory or a sunroom for your home is a great way to add some oomph to your property and provides an additional space to entertain or relax. It also adds to the overall value of your home. Let’s take a look at the major mistakes to avoid so that you can dodge regrets and make the most of your new feature for years to come.
Choose the right space for your conservatory
One of the biggest and hardest to live with mistakes is not choosing the right space for the conservatory. A conservatory, to serve its purpose, needs to be situated in a spot with plentiful natural light as well as fresh air, and with the best views of the outdoors and your garden or yard area. You need to consider and select a spot adjacent to your home that meets the environmental as well as the aesthetic requirements for the conservatory, looking at the construction itself as well as the view outwards, from inside the space.
Choose a style that will meld well with your home
The point of the conservatory is to add value and aesthetic appeal to your living space. Constructing it in a style that is not in keeping with your home and surroundings could leave you with an eyesore. As you research and discuss design and feature options, be sure to consider whether the aesthetics of your conservatory will match the style and tone of your house. Ideally, you want a seamless flow from the conservatory to the main house, so keep your entire ground floor in mind as you construct. Sometimes, a little upgrade to adjacent spaces might be required.
Consider landscaping requirements
You’ve found the perfect place on your property to build your conservatory, and obviously, that area will need to be cleared and prepared before construction begins. But you need to keep in mind long-term landscaping too. You will need to consider whether the area around your new addition requires landscaping, whether that be creating (and tending to) a garden with shrubs and flowers, planting trees, or adding a lawn. After all, if your view isn’t pleasing, then you may not feel inclined to make full use of your new feature.
Minimize maintenance burdens
Long-term thinking will go a long way toward minimizing maintenance costs and effort. This includes building your conservatory with the right materials: for example, using aluminum gutters instead of plastic, installing an aluminum roof, and using hardwood, as well as making informed choices about the type of glass used in the construction.
Don’t forget heating and insulation requirements
Conservatories are also called sunrooms, and for a good reason: the conservatory is where you go to bask in the sunshine without leaving the comfort of your home. Spring and autumn are seldom problematic and unless you are in a place where the summer temperatures rise to unbearable levels, you don’t need to worry too much about overheating. It is best, though, to get double glazed glass or even solar controlled glazing for your conservatory so that you can enjoy the space at the perfect temperature all through the year.
If harsh winters are a feature of the climate, you will need to consider heating and insulation options to make your conservatory a usable space year-round. By installing a radiator or underfloor heating panels, for example, you can have the ideal spot to enjoy the winter sun without needing to be bundled up in multiple layers.
Plan how and with what you will decorate and furnish the interior
Now that you have the exterior plan sorted, it is time to focus on the internal space, where you will be spending much of your leisure time. Whether you are planning to use your conservatory as a secluded sunlit (or moonlit) space or want it to be a happening spot for entertaining or family games night, you should plan, budget and shop accordingly to create your desired mood and energy. You might want to set up a tea and coffee corner, a bar for parties, a nook for reading, or a shelf full of games. But bear in mind that, whether you plan to decorate with all new purchases or to use favorite pieces from the main house in your newly built conservatory, you need to incorporate all these elements in the design stage: one cannot very well add a solid wall or create new corners after the construction is complete.
For more information and advice about conservatories check out https://windowfactory.co.nz/conservatories
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This content is brought to you by Hannah Madison.
Photo: Shutterstock
