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Lean Tos – the Most Economical Type of Conservatory?

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

When you have made the decision to invest in a Conservatory, chances are that you have a nice Victorian one in your head. These are among the most popular styles because indeed they are all very nice, but there is a slightly less well known style that has many features that normally prove to be most economical for the happy homeowner.

This is particularly important while energy prices are so unfeasibly high. Just recently prices have risen massively in light of global oil prices and with winter on the horizon we all have to keep our purse strings as tight as possible so we can make it through the winter.

With this in mind, here are several points about lean to conservatories that might just make your conservatory buying decision that bit easier.

They’re Simple

For starters, lean-to conservatories are simpler than their counterparts. This means that it takes less time to install them, they use less materials and are easier to maintain. These savings filter down into a generally lower average price for this design and cheaper installation for the home owner.

They Add Space

Being cheaper you might have thought that they would be smaller, or had big support posts or something, but you would be wrong. Lean to conservatories provide a particularly large space that really gives you a lot for your money, which works out nicely when you get round to selling your property. They can be designed to make the absolute maximum use of the space you have to work with and always become incredibly flexible spaces because of their shape.

They’re Fast

As mentioned, they go up pretty fast, especially in comparison to some of the more complicated conservatory designs. This means less disruption for you and your home and reduces the hours required to cover the costs of installation engineers.

They’re Efficient

Above all lean to conservatories are excellent energy savers. With 2 or 3 big walls of glass that let in a lot of light, you might think it would get really hot and you would have to buy an air-conditioning unit so you don’t melt. But in actual fact, the special glass used along with the gracefully sloping roof manages to reflect much of the heat while letting the light in to keep things cool in summer, and in the winter, the same glass retains most of the heat inside, often better than the walls in the rest of your house will.

Lean to conservatories are naturally economical and make a gorgeous addition to homes in all parts of the UK.

Are you tempted?

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4 Ways to Change the Feel of Your Conservatory

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

Every Conservatory is different, as is every person that owns one. When you first built your conservatory you will have done so with your lifestyle in mind so that you got the most out of it. The thing is though that lifestyles change over time, while conservatories stay the same year in and year out. This can result in people spending less time in their conservatory over time. This is a bit of a waste.

To remedy this situation here are 5 suggestions as to how you might want to change your conservatory in order to make better use of it.

Change of Use

One of the simplest ways to change the feel of your conservatory is to change what you use it for. Perhaps it is currently set up as a play room for children who have long migrated into their bedrooms, or maybe it has been an art studio for a hobby that has been given up. One suggestion is to clear everything out and set it up as a dining room instead. Even if you already have one, spreading your rooms out and making use of the light in the conservatory can be very refreshing. Also, if you want a big change, you could knock through a wall and merge your conservatory with your kitchen.

Colour Scheme

If you want to be a little less dramatic with your changes, you could just give the room a lick of paint. A top suggestion is to paint it all white, replace existing furniture with big soft ostentatious white furnishings and install off white stone flagstones in place of your existing flooring. You may worry this will make it feel like a big bright cloud, but the effect of the colour from the green trees or blue sky from outside always makes the space feel very fresh and super cosy.

Heating Upgrade

Perhaps you stopped using your conservatory because it just gets too cold in the winter months. A simple solution to this is of course to have heating installed. You will need to check first though what the energy efficiency rating of your windows is, otherwise you could end up losing a lot of expensive heat through inefficient single glazing. Quality UPVC Windows can offer a great deal in terms of saved heating and often come with argon gas insulation.

Add Decking

A final excellent way to give your conservatory a new lease of life is to extend the use of the room outdoors with decking. You may have thought that the conservatory would have encouraged you to use the garden, but if this didn’t happen then a deck may be what you need. This makes it very easy for you to extend the use of your room into the outdoors. Especially as there is lots of nice outdoor furniture you can get that makes going outdoors irresistible.

Feeling inspired?

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Does Building a Conservatory Always Add Value to Properties?

Monday, August 15th, 2011

As a homeowner, or a ‘soon-to-be homeowner’, you will probably have money issues on your mind. Don’t we all at times have these? Perhaps you are looking to maximise your investment in a new property or maybe you have a bulging family that needs more space but are unsure what the best way to go about it is.

You may have looked at various House Extensions but discounted them as particularly expensive options. Then you perhaps looked at getting your loft converted but were put off by the issues over where to put the stairs. Also, you probably looked into getting a garage conversion, which will add value but will leave you without a garage that you may find quite useful at some point. So then you came to the Conservatory option:

conservatories are a very versatile option for expanding your home, but do they always add value?

Basically, yes, in three ways:

Increase Overall Value

Adding a conservatory will normally increase the value of your home by at least 5%. This is thanks to the increase in floor space and the quality of the fittings. The most important element of house valuation is indeed location. But after that when the cost approach to valuation is used, and you consider the fact that conservatories devalue only very slowly, it becomes clear that they are a wise financial investment.

Increase Resale Appeal

Not only this, you may have heard about ‘kerb-side’ appeal. This refers to how a property looks from the street but more specifically how much the way a property look makes a prospective buyer want it. This feeling can be very powerful and can be the difference between a buyer being determined to buy your property or indifferent. A conservatory gives a property a great deal of ‘kerb-side’ appeal which you can really bank on as they have never been out of fashion.

Increase Energy Rating

A further way in which installing a conservatory will increase the value of your property is by improving your energy efficiency rating. A common misconception is that conservatories will leak heat, but the fact is that Ideal Windows and Conservatories advanced windows are often better at keeping the heat in than most walls. As of 2007 all homes being sold need to have an energy efficiency rating and estate agents generally think that a good energy rating will be a major factor in buyers decisions in the future.

So does a conservatory increase the value of your home? Of course it does!

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Fight the Energy Price Hike with these Home Energy Saving Tips

Monday, August 15th, 2011

Fuel poverty is a term you would never have expected to hear in the UK. But unfortunately due to a series of massive price hikes, this is exactly the situation many people find themselves in today.

We all know that energy prices will rise over time but such sudden price hikes, with little or no explanation by the energy companies has left a particularly bad taste in the mouth that smacks of an uncompetitive market that is far too difficult for new players to get into.

The government is trying to help with various discount schemes and clear billing rules, but if you want to tackle how much you have to spend on energy in the long run, you need to think about making some practical changes to your property that will affect your energy requirements.

Here are some great ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home:

Turn Your Heating Down

It may seem like a simple suggestion but you may be surprised just how many people don’t consider this. If you are used to a warm house, you may find this hard, but if you bring the average temperature of your home down gradually over time you won’t feel the difference.

Check Your Tariff

Energy tariffs are pretty confusing. There are so many suppliers, with so many different variations on what looks like the same costing that it can be a bit overwhelming. If you have the time and the patience you should really make the effort to sit down with a pile of information and work out what is best for you. The least you should do is pay a visit to an independent price comparison site where you will hopefully find a cheaper tariff than what you are on currently.

Insulate Your Home

The government has provided help to certain household in the shape of loft and cavity wall insulation installation. But even if you don’t qualify for this assistance you will benefit by seeking out and installing this kind of insulation, along with other fixtures like looking out Double Glazing Prices and as one particular recommendation UPVC Windows and roofline products. Think of it like this: the more insulated you make your home, the less money you will have to spend on energy.

This energy price storm is unlikely to go away. It may calm down and it may ebb slightly but in the end, the best thing you can do is plan for the worst.

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Amazing Guest Room Decoration Ideas… You Can Use Even If You Don’t Have One

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

It is always a lot of fun having friends and relatives round to stay so why not make their stay that little bit more special by turning a normal spare room into a special place they will be clamouring to come back and stay in. Here are some simple ideas that won’t cost too much to put together.

Themes

A great way to go is to come up with a theme and apply it to the room. You could keep it simple by having a particular colour as a theme. With ‘green’ for example you could not only paint walls shades of green, you could decorate with plants and have green rugs and green pillows on the bed. Follow this up with green towels and even green soap.

If you want to take the idea of a theme a bit further you could choose ‘cinema’ as a theme and have a nice big screen for them to watch movies and adorn the walls with film posters and leave popcorn and 3D glasses on the side. The further you go with the theme the more of an impact it will have.

Fun Painting Feature

If you want something a bit less labour intensive why not try some kind of painting feature. No, not just a big painting, get a nice big blank canvas in a nice frame and hang it bare on the wall. Provide paints and drawing materials and then whenever someone comes to stay get them to put their own mark on the canvas. This will be a nice fun thing for guests to do as well as a nice memento for you to remind you of all their visits.

Freshness

A classic way to decorate a guest room that is always enjoyed is with a feel of freshness running through it. People can feel uncomfortable when they are away from home so by making your guest room light and airy with draped white sheets, fresh flowers and clean white or pale fabrics and paintwork they are sure to feel perfectly comfortable and happy.

And if you don’t have a guest room but you want one…

Ever Heard of Garage Conversions?

One thing Ideal Windows and conservatories has found is that many people who do not wish to sell their property but do want more room for guests are converting their existing garage which is hardly used into a new guest room. This can be seamlessly blended with your property both inside and out and even adds value. Plus you can have fun decorating it from scratch too!

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How to Pick the Best Colour for Your Doors and Windows

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

One of the very first things visitors or a potential buyer will see when they arrive at your home is your front door. This makes getting its colour and style absolutely crucial. This is because as with most things, first impressions count and your door can either convey the delightful character and warm feel of your home proudly, or it can give off all the impression that your home is shabby, cheap, tasteless or even ugly. One idea to consider when getting started is whether you are looking to replace your door or windows. Double Glazing Prices are competitive at the moment and are worth considering if you are going to the extent of making alterations.

First things first, walk around your house and get a feel for how it looks to people as they walk up to it. Then use this impression to address each of the following points…

Style

When choosing the style of your front door or windows, you need to think about what will fit in with the building as a whole, what will fit in with your street and what will work with the interior of your property. Present someone with a vintage country cottage front door before guiding them into a modern clean lined hi-spec decorated home and they will notice the awkward difference. Go for something that fits neatly with its surroundings but don’t be afraid to be creative as long as it doesn’t look out of place.

Matching Colours

The next thing to consider after you have picked a style, or the first thing if you are just painting existing windows or doors, is to choose colours. While you were looking at your property you will have noticed the colours on and around your home. Maybe you have a lot of greenery around your building or maybe you have a distinct red brick house. Try to go for a colour scheme that goes with your home and not just one that matches the colour of your car.

Testers

A good way to make a decision on colours is to get a set of testers made up. Either ask your supplier or go to your local paint supplier and get some tester pots of paint. Paint them on to a good sized piece of wood or board and sit them up against your existing windows or doors. Take a step back and see what looks right to you.

Type of Paint and Finish

Once you have a colour you love, either allow your supplier to advise you on what paint or finish to go for or make sure you go for one that is environmentally friendly and will also be long lasting. Remember that different materials will require different paint. UPVC Windows for instance can require different paint depending on the material of the finish.

Take your time, have fun, but don’t forget that even if you realize you don’t like how it looks in a few months you can always change it.

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Top Conservatory Buying Tips

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

When you reach a stage where you are ready to buy a Conservatory there are a lot of decisions to make. Luckily the vast majority of them are very exciting and involve choosing colours and layouts and materials that will all go into your final completed structure. But there are of course many other choices to make that are absolutely crucial to get right. Here are some top conservatory buying tips to help your conservatory purchase go smoothly.

Be Sure of All Measurements

A key element of conservatory designs is in the measurements. Whether you are attempting to build your conservatory yourself or if you are wisely employing Ideal Windows and conservatories to do it, you should always take extra time to ensure you understand all the measurements before you start construction. Mark out the ground where your conservatory will sit with string and pegs for both the interior and exterior of the walls to give yourself a proper idea of where it will sit and how much room you will have for you and all your furniture. You can then be confident that you will be happy with the final structure.

Get Planning Permissions

While Ideal Windows and Conservatories will normally take care of all planning permission requirements for you, if you are thinking about doing it yourself you will have to make sure you are 100% certain you have acquired each and every permission you need before you lay a single brick. This is because without the right permissions, building regulators can force you to pull down your whole structure until you have them.

Wood or UPVC?

Choosing between wood and UPVC is a big decision. Ideal Windows and Conservatories have a Hardwood range and a UPVC range which both exceed the very highest of standards. However, not all conservatories, especially DIY ones, are so lucky. Poor wood conservatories can warp and crack if not installed properly, while cheap UPVC can look dated quickly, especially if the whole structure is not completed to a high enough standard.

Ideal Windows and Conservatories offer only the very highest standard of Hardwood and UPVC conservatories at affordable prices. This means that all you need to do is choose which look is right for your property. Hardwood conservatories tend to be considered more classical and elegant while UPVC are often seen as a more modern and dynamic choice.

Once you addressed each of these conservatory buying tips you can relax and enjoy seeing your carefully planned building taking shape.

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How to Fit Your Own Home Security Camera

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

If like many people, you are concerned about home security you may want to consider getting a security camera system set up. These will in the first instance dissuade intruders from setting foot on your property as they will be able to see that they are being recorded. They will also of course record footage if any who does gain access to your home and aid in their identification and arrest. This takes your homes security a good step further than secure locking on doors and reinforced UPVC Windows.

If you already have an alarm system fitted to your main doors and windows, and maybe even have motion detectors set up with different zones for the interior, you will probably be best contacting whoever fitted these for you and getting them to integrate a camera system into your current set up. It is always recommended where possible, to get a professional to install security systems and equipment for you, to ensure it works properly, but understandably these can be expensive.

If however you just want a camera for security and want to do it yourself, here are some tips:

The key thing to get right when fitting a home security camera is to put it in the right location.

Firstly, there are privacy laws in place in the UK which mean you have to ensure that your camera doesn’t look inadvertently into your neighbour’s house or garden. With this in mind the best place to put your camera is facing the most important areas of your property; namely towards your front and back doors, your Conservatory or your garage or driveway. Be sure not to miss any blind spots or other vulnerable points on your property.

Once you have this sorted you need to decide where to fix the camera to your property. It is crucial that your camera is high enough that an intruder can’t just reach up and knock it off or cover it. Having said this you also want them to be able to see it in plain view as it should be as much worth as a deterrent as it is for recording anything that happens.

Finally, when you have chosen the right spot on the wall and decided which way it will be facing, you will need to be sure you can get power and video cables to it. Best thing to do is to check you have enough cable to reach your recording source before you actually attach your camera. If this is going to be an issue, you may need to splash out on a slightly more expensive wireless camera.

One final note: you may want to check with your local police before you finish, ensuring you aren’t breaking any privacy laws, and with a security firm to make sure you have done everything properly when you’re done.

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Using Blinds to Finish Off your Conservatory in Style

Friday, March 25th, 2011

All of Ideal Windows and conservatories products, including their full range of conservatories are designed and built using fully thermally insulated double glazing. They are also argon gas filled to prevent condensation and have a transparent coating that works to reflect UV. Unfortunately though, not all conservatories are so lucky.

Whether you are looking for something to improve the conditions inside your old Conservatory or if you just want to add blinds to your new conservatory because they look nice here are a few suggestions for blinds and awnings you can add and how they would benefit you.

Pinoleum Blinds

Pinoleum blinds are made using horizontally woven thin strips of bamboo, reeds or wood and not only look beautiful thanks to the natural products used, but also diffuse light in a unique way. You can choose to have them made tightly, or loosely woven to let just the right amount of light through for you. Plus they can be stained or painted to match the colour of the interior of your conservatory.

While Pinoleum blinds do not offer the same properties offered by brand new UPVC Windows, in the style ratings they get full marks.

Pleated Blinds

Pleated blinds are traditionally made in a concertina style and are perfect for roofs and windows. They can be made with a solar reflective material on the outside and with any colour you want on the inside. You can even choose a level of translucency for your pleated blinds to allow the right level of light though for you.

These tend to be a bit cheaper that Pinoleum blinds, depending where you get them and offer a flexible alternative to blinds or curtains.

In particular, Ideal Windows and Conservatories recommend ‘Sanderson’s Blinds’. They manufacture bespoke conservatory and window blinds to an impeccable standard which we are proud to offer you. If you want a closer look at some examples you are very welcome to come to our expansive showroom where a selection of ‘Sanderson’s Blinds’ are on show.

Roller Blinds

These are a very popular type of blind that provide a basic flat finish to cover conservatory roofs or windows. They can be made from practically any material but when you buy yours you need to be sure that the edges will not fray and that the rolled up blind is rolled into a cassette so that it is protected from the sun and will not fade.

Importantly, roller blinds are easier to clean than Pinoleum or pleated blinds.

Awnings

One final way to improve the conditions in your conservatory is to install a conservatory awning. This is a big exterior blind that works really well with lean to conservatories as they can be designed to sit just over the roof and protect the structure from the harshest summer sun.

This is probably the most expensive option but does provide a great deal of protection.

Hopefully this information will help you improve your old conservatory or finish off your new one in style.

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Does a Conservatory Add to Your Council Tax?

Friday, March 25th, 2011

One extremely common question regarding conservatories is about council tax. There is a common misconception that when you get a Conservatory that increases the value of your property, you will then see an increase in your council tax. This is often assumed as people know that council tax is based on how much your property is worth, which is true, but what people don’t know is that the value of your property which your council tax is based on is the price which your house value was on 1st April 1991 – the set date for all council tax valuations.

Really?

Yes indeed. Even if your new conservatory increases the value of your property to a value which pushes it into the next council tax category, your council tax band won’t change until you sell your property. In which case:

“[I]t is the new occupier who is liable for any increase in banding and this is effective from the date of the sale.”- Valuation Office Agency

Plus don’t forget your house will still be valued based on what it would have been on 1st April 1991, so if your property’s new value looks like it should be over the value threshold and now be in a higher council tax bracket you need to look back at what it would have been in 1991 and you may find it still doesn’t have to move brackets.

What about if you add a whole new annex?

One of the very few situations where making an improvement to your home can change your council tax is if you add a whole new annex on to your property. An annex in this situation is classed as ‘a building, or part of a building, which has been constructed or adapted for use as separate living accommodation’: for example, a separate small flat for an elderly relative. Any structure that is created as an extra living quarter, even if it shares some facilities with the main building, will require its own council tax band.

See what band your property is in and more information on council tax in Scotland on these pages from the Scottish Assessors Association or the old Scottish Executive website.

So to sum up, you don’t need to worry about if your council tax is going to change when you add a conservatory, but you do if you are adding a whole new annex.

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