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solid roof conservatory winnersh

How To Insulate A Conservatory

By | Conservatory Tips, Uncategorised

If you’re thinking of investing in a conservatory, then you’re making an excellent choice! They are one of the most versatile additions to any home. With so many styles to choose from, there’s the ideal design for any property, no matter its aesthetics or when it was built. You’ll be able to use the extra living space in any way you choose, perhaps as an extended living room, office space or dining area.

And with the extra room in your home, you’ll add plenty of value. So, while conservatories are an excellent alternative to the upheaval of moving to a new house for more space, when the time comes to leave, you’ll find your house is worth more money on the market.

There is a common belief regarding conservatories – one that doesn’t apply to Abbey’s superior installations – which is that they are only useable at certain points during the year. Some conservatories become too hot in summer and far too cold in winter, resulting in a narrow window during which time they can be enjoyed.

We are proud to say that this is not the case when you choose Abbey.

There are many ways to make your conservatory into a space that you can enjoy all year round. Insulating the living space is an excellent way to do this. There’s no need to be deterred from investing in our superior conservatories. Once you’ve allowed the expert team at Abbey to design and install your ideal conservatory, it will already be thermally efficient and warmer in all season as a result of the high performance glazing options we use in our installations.

If you would like to improve the warmth and comfort offered by your conservatory even more, you might want to consider additional insulation options.

Conservatory Floor Insulation

With the superior double glazing installed within an Abbey conservatory, your new living space will already hold a lot more heat than others. You may perhaps want to maximise the effectiveness of this by ensuring that your conservatory floor is as well insulated as possible. This will make sure that your conservatory loses less heat through the base of the structure and can stay warmer in the colder months.

Designing and building a conservatory is a real team effort. When you choose Abbey, you’re choosing a wealth of experience from countless individuals who make up our expert team. From builders to plumbers and electricians, you can enjoy a rich knowledge base when you decide to design a conservatory with us. With our expert team involved, we’ll make sure you are fully informed about every aspect of your build, including the floor and its heating.

We’ll make sure you are able to consider at this point if you would like underfloor heating for your conservatory. It is an option that is soaring in popularity for homeowners due to the way it further improved the functionality and flexibility of your conservatory throughout the year. However, this is one of the more expensive options.

As a result, you may alternatively want to consider insulation boards. These boards are relatively easy to work with. They can be cut and shaped according to your unique specifications, so an expert installer can find and fit it for your property in no time at all. As an additional benefit, underfloor insulation panels offer good fire protection too.

For either of these options, you will want to think ahead and look to add them while the conservatory is being constructed. Our experts can advise you on the most viable option. Otherwise, retrofitting a conservatory with either of these insulation options can prove costly and disruptive to your home. If you’re in the initial planning stages of a conservatory, talk to the friendly team at Abbey to discuss the best options for you.

conservatory roof insulationConservatory Roof Insulation

A conservatory, by its very nature, is stunning to look at but can fall short when it comes to its insulation properties. The glass roof makes the space feel exposed to the British weather and offers relatively little protection. Additional insulation can change that in no time at all.

If you’re considering weatherproofing your conservatory to stand up to the elements, you’ll want to look to the large glazed walls. However, if you’re priority is retaining as much heat as possible, you’ll want to look up – insulating the roof is the most efficient and effective way to deal with a particularly cold conservatory. As warm rises, heat escapes through the roof. Insulation work to stop this.

There’s no need to worry about finding a comfortable balance of heat for your conservatory when you invest in insulation – you will be able to enjoy a space that is warmer when you want it to be and cool when you need it to be with efficient and effective insulation. Eliminate unnecessary worry and enjoy your conservatory as you always planned to. With the experts at Abbey with you every step of the way, there’s insulation that’s right for any homeowner and any style of property.

One excellent option to consider is to select new ceiling blinds for your conservatory. These can be installed along the roof and you will be able to open and close them at any time of the day, all through the year, allowing you to regulate the amount of light and heat in your conservatory. You won’t have to compromise on aesthetics and lose any of the natural light that you are hoping to fill your home with when you start planning your conservatory. Let in the sun and keep out the cold with versatile ceiling blinds to regulate the heat levels in your conservatory.

If conservatory roof insulation doesn’t feel like the right choice for you, or if you already have a structure that is underperforming and you would like to revamp it completely, improving its style and functionality, you might want to consider replacing the roof entirely.

conservatory roof replacement readingConservatory Roof Replacement

If you already own a conservatory and feel that it isn’t performing as well as it could (or should) then you might want to consider one of Abbey’s superior replacement conservatory roofs. They can improve the style and performance of your property’s expanded living space and make it a much more comfortable living space at all times of the year.

Solid conservatory roofs are a beautiful replacement roof that perform as good as they look. They’re an ideal choice if your conservatory catches the sun and comes under threat from intense UV rays, as they offer shade and protection. As well as keeping you safe and comfortable in the summer, a solid conservatory roof will work well for you in the winter too. The parts of the structure that previously offered shade from the sun will, in colder and darker months, help to hold the heat and keep your space cosy.

Tiled conservatory roofs, expertly installed by Abbey, can be designed to be either fully tiled or partially glazed. This style allows you to enjoy the thermal efficiency benefits of a solid roof without compromising on the large glazed areas that are highly sought after for conservatories. You’ll be able to allow an influx of natural light to fill your home while keeping it warmer and more comfortable throughout the year.

For all our conservatory roofs, we work with market leaders Ultraframe. This is part of our commitment to providing the finest home improvements for you. As we discussed earlier, so many skilled tradespeople are involved in the high quality construction of Abbey’s conservatory. As a result of our partnership with Ultraframe, you can be sure that they are working with the finest replacement roofs on the market to deliver a superior installation that will make your existing conservatory more insulated and more comfortable.

Contact The Team At Abbey Conservatories

For an expertly installed conservatory that meets all your specifications, staying warmer and more comfortable all year round, get in touch with the professional team at Abbey. Whether you’re designing a new conservatory from scratch or looking to improve an existing structure with improved insulation properties, we can help.

From inception to installation, you will have Abbey by your side every step of the way. Get in touch with us today for a free online quote. We look forward to hearing from you!

Conservatories

Conservatory Market Trends

By | Conservatory Tips

Here at Abbey, we’re uniquely positioned to see exactly how the home improvement market can change throughout the years and across the seasons. It’s interesting to watch as certain installations rise in popularity with the trends as homeowners keep up with the Joneses – and their new conservatories.

Conservatories have risen significantly in popularity over the last few years. Homeowners are looking to avoid the unnecessary stress of moving house and if they find they outgrow their current home, they are choosing to expand their existing living space with versatile new conservatories.

Whether the shifts in consumer conservatory buying habits is a result of budget, improved knowledge or increase product availability, it’s interesting to note how the popular conservatory roof styles have changed in recent years and how the industry has adapted to change with them.

Polycarbonate Conservatory Roofs

For a long time, polycarbonate conservatory roofs were the most popular choice for homeowners. Compared to some of the alternatives that we will talk about below, these styles are around 3-4 times cheaper. As a cost-effective conservatory and a straightforward way to expand your living space, polycarbonate conservatories always were, and will always remain an excellent, affordable and functional choice.

They do, however, lack the inherent insulation and thermal efficiency benefits of some of the other conservatory materials. This means that, although they can be more affordable initially, they may require initial investment further down the line in order to make them as liveable and comfortable as they can be.

Glass Conservatory RoofGlass Conservatory Roofs

In later years, the market shifted more to glass conservatory roofs. As homeowners became more aware of energy efficiency and the benefits of maintaining an effective living space all through the year, especially in winter months, the awareness of glass roofs grew exponentially. This style is an excellent investment as it can help you save money on your energy bills, creating a living space that retains the heat well and stays cosy through the year.

Glass conservatories roofs are also exceptionally resilient. They are less prone to scratches than some of the alternatives, and they have also proven themselves to be exceptionally weather resistant. As the harsh conditions close in, a glass conservatory roof will keep you safe and comfortable inside your home.

Hybrid Conservatory Roofs

For the best of both worlds, hybrid roofs are also available. Once homeowners started looking at polycarbonate roofs and then glass roofs, the natural curiosity was to explore the benefits of combining the two. Ultraframe’s Livinroof combines the look and feel of both to create a third option that is increasingly popular, soaring above the previous two.

Hybrid conservatory roofs are an extremely versatile choice. They can improve the feel of your living space in either your conservatory or house extension. Homeowners enjoy the features of both without the need to compromise – combining the privacy and security of a solid roof without sacrificing the influx of natural light that a glass roof would allow.

Heavily customisable and able to be refined for your needs, it’s easy to see why hybrid roofs have risen in popularity for homeowners looking to replace their conservatory roof. As the market continually grows and develops, and people become increasingly aware of their options, the next conservatory roof style could be completely unexpected and unique.

Whatever it may be, rest assured that you can stick with Abbey to stay completely up to date.

Livinroof conservatory roofFind Your Perfect Conservatory Roof With Abbey

Here at Abbey, we follow the trends – and keep up with them. In fact, most of the time we’re leading the way and shining a light on the latest advancements in the home improvement industry. You can rely on Abbey to find the latest and greatest conservatory styles, designs and refinements for your home.

Why not get in touch with us today using our online quoting engine? You’ll receive a personalised quote based on your bespoke specifications, and we’ll help you find the conservatory that will stand the test of time and continue to perform at its best for you for many years to come.

For a conservatory that sets the trends and outlasts others around, contact Abbey today.

uPVC Conservatories Wokingham

Top tips for cleaning your conservatory

By | Conservatory Tips

We’re famous for installing beautiful conservatories in Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell, Basingstoke, Henley and throughout the Thames Valley, and have some amazing top tips for keeping your conservatory ship-shape!

A Room Used by Many

Conservatories are enjoyed by all members of the family. A quiet retreat from the bustle of the day, an inviting room to entertain guests or an open area providing light and time to focus on a project. Even our pets enjoy stretching out under the warm blanket of the sun. Our conservatories have many uses.

As well as maintaining the crystal clear appearance of our glass havens, we also want to ensure they remain in the best condition as possible. Although our uPVC windows and doors provide a 10-year guarantee on their fantastic multi-chambered uPVC frames, it’s handy to know there are ways we can keep our conservatories looking as good as new ourselves, both inside and out. Read our top tips below.

Top Tips for Cleaning the Exterior

White conservatory with a sturdy brick exterior

  • Gather all the equipment you need including a sturdy ladder, an extendable sponge, old gardening gloves and a strong surface cleaner.
  • Ensure you have someone to hold the ladder on a level area whilst you clean as the surface will become wet!
  • Apply a healthy sized amount of your preferred cleaning product to your sponge and apply with warm water. This will loosen any moss, dirt and leaves that will have collected over the seasons.
  • For particularly stubborn patches, apply slightly warmer water and press the sponge against it for 10 seconds. This will heat the stain and make it easier to remove.
  • Don’t be tempted to use anything abrasive on the glass as this can damage the surface.
  • Work your way from the top to the bottom and never stand on top of the roof. By cleaning in this order, the bottom of the conservatory will have had a good soaking before you tackle it, so will be easier to clean.
  • Use your extendable sponge to reach difficult areas such as the middle of the roof.
  • If you have a room directly overlooking your conservatory, and it is a close enough distance to be safe, this can provide a helpful position to assess the missed spots that you couldn’t see from below.
  • Clear your gutters of any leaves and moss. We advise wearing old gardening gloves for this.
  • Once you’re happy with your work, rinse down and avoid using a power washer as these can damage your glass panels. Instead, gently pour cold water over the surface. Cooler water will reduce smearing as it won’t react with the product to create bubbles in the way that warm water does.
  • Wipe your conservatory down with a dry cloth. We find using an older cloth works best as newer cloths tend to leave behind small fragments of material.

Top Tips for Cleaning the Interior

conservatory in basingstoke with a green garden

  • Collate the equipment you will be using to spring clean the inside of your conservatory including a sturdy ladder, household cleaner, a cloth, a warm bucket of water and a strong glass cleaner.
  • Inspect the corners of your conservatory for moss and cobwebs. A household cleaner such as Fairy Liquid works well for this when applied to a damp cloth.
  • Apply the glass cleaner directly onto the surface of the windows and use an old cloth to rub with pressure. Start at the top of the glass pane and work your way down.
  • Clean your window frames with warm soapy water and dry off with an old cloth.
  • Pull out and move large pieces of furniture and sweep to ensure you remove any built up dust or pet hair beneath them. Re-positioning your furniture can also change the tone of your room and also saves your flooring from wear and traffic patterns.
  • Complete your conservatory clean by adding a seasonal fragrance to set the tone of your room. Yankee Candle produce a beautiful “Summer Scoop” fragrance that works well in open areas.

Do You Have Any Useful Tips?

Have you ever tried and tested an old wives’ tale for cleaning windows? Let us know on Facebook and we will test them out!

Are You Considering a Conservatory?

If you’re thinking about getting having a conservatory built in Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell, Basingstoke, Henley or throughout the Thames Valley, why not use our online quote calculator? It’s really fast and can provide you with an estimate based on size, colour and material. You can also view our stunning range of conservatories here.

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