10 STEPS TO UPDATING YOUR CONSERVATORY

Transform the summer room and make it a versatile space that you can use all year round

- ALISON JONES

1 Shutters with southern style

Using shutters for partial cover in the conservatory can offer the best of both worlds. They keep the glass windows partly covered for coolness, but with a tilt of the slats you can let more sun in and regulate the temperature while still letting the air circulate. This hardwearing option can also offer privacy in an all-glass room and add a touch of tropical or southern American style.

2 Raise the rooflight

For a modern take on a traditional conservatory, an extension with rooflights, lanterns and bi-fold doors can offer ample glazing, bring in lots of sunlight and give a real sense of connection with the outdoors. However, the presence of a roof and walls will offer year-round comfort for a room constantly in use. Rooflights allow for plenty of natural light but have high levels of insulation, and they can offer controllable ventilation.

3 De-mistify your glazing

With so much glazing on show, keeping it clean and mist-free is crucial to stop the space from feeling gloomy and damp. If the double glazing has a build up of condensation and dirt between the panes, this can lead to marks and cloudiness that can’t be wiped or scrubbed off, and which can dim the amount of light coming through. Plus, the presence of condensation means there are gaps in the glass, so heat will be escaping from your home. Window services like Cloudy2Clear can remove and replace the panes of glass without damaging or having to change the frame, offering an instant and affordable refresh.

4 Take it outside