Catch the sun

Brighten up your home by installing a glazed extension that not only adds space but lets you enjoy the beauty of the garden all year round

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Far from the inefficient, blocky uPVC designs that were installed on homes throughout the late 20th century, a modern conservatory is a beautiful addition to a home, flooding rooms with light and providing a usable space all year round.

SELECTING A STYLE

The terms conservatory, sun room and orangery tend to be used interchangeably, but they refer to different styles of structure. 'Conservatories are primarily made of glass (usually over 75 per cent), with a fully glazed roof,' explains Karen Bell, sales director at David Salisbury. This differs from an orangery, which has a perimeter flat roof, large windows, and a glazed roof lantern.' Sun rooms feature the least amount of glazing and are more akin to a traditional extension, with a solid roof and walls, and large windows. Designs with fully or partially solid roofs will offer better temperature regulation, as they have more insulation.

MATERIAL MATTERS

Oak is the gold standard for conservatories, with outstanding durability and an appearance that improves with age. It is also complements nearly every style of home. 'Responsibly sourced oak is an eco-friendly option and provides superior insulation to brick, aluminium or steel,' says Kyle Pugh, head of design at Julius Bahn.