Why a Conservatory?

Adding a conservatory can make a home look visually impressive. Not to mention, encourage natural light to flood into the home.

These days, conservatories can be customised and built to a client's exact specifications. Gone is the time when all conservatories were white and looked the same. Now, it's possible to choose from a vast array of materials and colours.

Warm and energy efficient

It was often the case that conservatories got too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. But such extensions are now a thing of the past. Today's conservatory extensions are energy efficient and can be heated and cooled just like the rest of the home. Rest assured, they can be used all year round. This comes in especially handy for those who enjoy entertaining and want the extra space to seat their guests.

Having a conservatory installed can be a big decision. Not only should it be stylish, but it's also essential that it's energy-efficient. The materials an installer uses should be highly-rated thermal profiles.

For example, a conservatory installer should only use solar reflective glass. For those of you who don't know, this is specially coated glass that in hotter weather automatically reflects the sun's heat back. Conversely, during the colder months, solar reflective glass reflects the heat back into the home, therefore saving and retaining your energy.

The bottom line is: providing your conservatory's made from the proper materials, it should be able to be used all year round.

A conservatory should be built to an extremely high standard. More and more of these kinds of extensions are constructed primarily with brickwork, not glass. It's possible to have an Essex conservatory built in such a way but to have a solar reflective glass roof still. That way, it'll allow as much light into the home as possible.

There are many types of conservatory to choose from. One of the most popular models is the classic Victorian look. Typical features may include a bayfront window (usually three to five of them) and a steep pitch.

Equally popular are Edwardian conservatories. These classic Essex extensions are best described as clean and spacious. Famous for their square or rectangular shape, they provide tons of additional space.

Alternatively, some people prefer a bespoke conservatory. This gives homeowners complete control over the design, location, and choice of materials. As such, the homeowner can really bring the vision of their extension to life.

When having a bespoke conservatory installed, it may also be possible to opt for underfloor, additional lighting, and blinds.

All conservatories come in a variety of materials including UPVC, hardwood and aluminium. Not to mention, a range of colours and woodgrain finishes.

It almost goes without saying, a conservatory extension needs to be secure. So, it's essential to ask a potential installer whether or not window and door locks are police-approved.

Choosing the right company

When choosing an Essex conservatories installer, it's vital to check whether they're a member of at least one respected trade body. For example, the Glass and Glazing Federation(https://www.ggf.org.uk/). An installer will have to give examples of their work and boast a set of minimum standards to become a member. They're also regularly vetted to ensure these standards are maintained.

Another trade body is the not-for-profit organisation Certification and Self-Assessment (CERTASS). They financially assess an installer before they can become a member of the body.

Also, if an extension or conservatory has more brickwork, then it's vital to check that the contractors are members of building trade bodies. For example, the Federation of Master Builders (https://www.fmb.org.uk/) or the National Federation of Builders (https://www.builders.org.uk/home/).

It's also worth looking at reviews on 'Which?' as well as Check-a-Trade. That way, you can ensure that whoever's installing the extension is reputable and has excellent references from previous clients.