Transforming Conservatories without Mechanical Systems.

Once upon a time, homeowners were building conservatories at an unprecedented rate. They were quick, paperwork-free and apparently added considerable value onto a property.

Then, people started to realize the drawbacks. These were rooms which were ideal at some points in the year, but their structure meant that they either boiled over or became far too cold to be in for most months. It meant that rather than throwing up a conservatory with little thought, most people opted to install some sort of mechanical cooling or heating system. In terms of the latter, this would generally tie in with central heating system - so it goes without saying that it was a hugely expensive job.

Photo credit: Houseplastics.

Fortunately, you don't necessarily have to follow this path anymore. Conservatories are still proving to be very attractive from a buyer's perspective, but even more so if they don't have all of the dreaded temperature control problems attached to them. Now, without spending a small fortune hooking up your heating or cooling system, you can turn to something much simpler - window blinds.

Considering the fact that most people just see these products as pieces of fabric, it's quite amazing to see the effect they can have on temperature. Let's start with winter - the period when most conservatories are the equivalent to an igloo due to the thin glazing that they are comprised of.

Modern advancements in the window treatments field mean that this no longer has to be the case though. For example, the insulated shade has been developed specifically to combat cold environments - with its design trapping heat and unsurprisingly insulating a room. If you just keep the shades down for most of the day, as you return to your property you'll be able to comfortably sit back in your conservatory and use it almost like you do in the summer months.

Of course, there are occasions in the summer when these rooms just get too hot to handle. Again, due to the reliance on glazing, heat can stretch through the glass and make the space far too warm to even step foot in. Insulated shades can work wonders for the same reasons in this regard, but an even better approach comes in the form of a solar shade. This product is made out of a specialist fabric which is designed to filter the majority of UV rays. Ultimately, it means that much less of those hot glares of sun are able to get through the glazing and things are much more comfortable again.

We've only looked at two types of products here, but both are able to comfortably solve both problems which play with a conservatory's temperature. Neither is expensive, particularly when compared against a mechanical alternative, and it finally means that these rooms can be enjoyed all-year round. It also means that they are a much more shrewd investment for the typical homeowner and in today's market, this certainly should not be ignored either.