Porches and patios are relaxing spaces to entertain friends or family during the summer months or keep an eye on your children as they play, but these locations are not practical for year-round use. A porch alone does not protect from the elements, whether inclement weather, precipitation, extreme heat, or humidity. On the other hand, a conservatory can provide a year-round sanctuary for the same purposes as a porch.
Enclosing a patio or creating an entirely new structure does require proper planning. During the planning phase of your conservatory, customers should take into consideration their structure’s intended use. Proper planning allows for incorporating the necessary doors and windows or folding glass walls or sliding glass doors into your design to ensure proper ventilation and large uninterrupted openings for days with appropriate weather conditions. Including a folding or retractable screen will help to prevent bugs from entering the conservatory. The unobstructed views provided by a conservatory's operable glass walls allow homeowners to maintain a watchful eye over their surroundings as they enjoy their natural environment.
In the summer, a conservatory can provide an excellent place to enjoy a family picnic. Opening the conservatory's windows and doors will allow fresh air to enter, and screens will keep flies and ants from bothering you while you eat. Although natural airflow provided by windows and ridge vents will help maintain the conservatory’s temperature, adding shades to the roof of your conservatory will help keep the space cooler and ease the sun's harshness reading and other light-sensitive activities. Customers often incorporate concrete or tile floor to make it easier to clean up spills or messes that may occur.
A conservatory, like a porch, is a relaxing space to sit and admire your property. The addition of patio furniture to your conservatory provides an attractive, lightweight seating solution, making it easy to rearrange the furniture for any situation.
A conservatory may initially seem like a significant investment compared to the cost of enclosing a porch with traditional building materials. Still, a conservatory will maintain its value and provide breathtaking views for years to come. Over time, a porch enclosed with low-quality building materials will require more heating and cooling than a conservatory. A conservatory with thermally enhanced aluminum and insulated glass provides a thermal barrier and insulation properties far exceeding traditional building materials. The addition of a conservatory will also increase your home's square footage, increasing your property value.
For more information about how to utilize your conservatory as a porch enclosure, please contact a conservatory design expert.
