Bank Holiday Home Improvements

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Posted: May 18, 2011

What better way to spend the Bank Holiday making improvements to the home. Venetian blinds could transform a beautiful conservatory. Totally inspired by this article. (more…)

Posted in Conservatory News DIY Conservatories

Light Evenings

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Posted: May 17, 2011

Forget outdated candles, lanterns and nature’s own fireflies, we can now purchase illuminated garden furniture and  awnings. It could seem like Christmas all year round out on your patio. Check this out about m&s :

“This summer it’s all about garden furniture with a twist – chairs, tables and stools which actually light up,”

“The Pentium Light Up range comes in a range of colours and can either be switched on manually or via remote control.”

Read the full story here:

https://www.hillarys.co.uk/blog/illuminate-your-garden-furniture-awnings-owners-encouraged/001-1262/

I imagine these furniture/awnings could make a garden look spectacular and certainly keep you outdoors for longer on a warm spring or summer evening.  Good idea? You tell me.

Posted in Conservatory News

Amdega Enters Administration

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Posted: May 17, 2011

The well known household name Amdega goes into administration.  It really is bad news when you hear of companies that have been established from the start of creation – or so it seems – entering into administration.  Established in 1874, based in Darlington and with around 197 staff.  Here is an extract of the article from The Guardian: (more…)

Posted in Conservatory News

Blinds with a difference

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Posted: May 17, 2011

For many years we have seen blinds in different sizes, shades and fabrics, but these are certainly different! Seems these would be best suited to an English country manor.  Read the extract from this article:

“Stunning new range of Damask fabric patterned roller blinds just added to our already fabulous range of made to measure roller blinds. The classic design of Damask fabric really will transform the look of the windows of your home, adding a real feel of luxury and style.”

Here is the complete article:

https://www.englishblinds.co.uk/blog/damask-patterned-roller-blinds/

Would love to see how Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen would use these on one of his TV Home Makeovers!!

Posted in Conservatory Blinds Conservatory News

Good to see the US catching up with us

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Posted: May 17, 2011

US  conservatory companies doing what we’ve done for years.  Read this story from a US conservatory company: (more…)

Posted in DIY Conservatories

What is Roomset Photography

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Posted: May 17, 2011

I never really understood roomset photography before. It’s related to lifestyle shots for products like conservatories and outdoor furniture like teak and wicker –  that sort of thing. (more…)

Posted in DIY Conservatories

What Are Your Options With Modern DIY Conservatories?

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Posted: June 16, 2010

What exactly do we mean by modern DIY conservatories?  It is a very vague term, because what one person deems as being thoroughly modern the next person might think is fairly ordinary.  So a lot of it is in the eye of the person who views the finished product.

The vast majority of conservatory styles that are modern in nature are really much the same as traditional conservatories.  Victorian and Edwardian styles definitely hark back to other times, but the orangery and the P shaped conservatory are rather more obscure.  They could relate either to times gone by or modern times, depending on which way you look at it.

Quite often a modern DIY conservatory is one that has been constructed out of modern materials.  Instead of being made from hardwood it will be made from uPVC.  This simple difference is often what people mean by modern or traditional.

Some companies are striking out in a new direction and creating DIY conservatories that are very modern in design however.  These kinds of conservatories are very modern and stylish and very unlike the normal kinds of designs and shapes you are used to.

There has also been a move in the direction of glass rooms rather than standard designs.  The more glass that is used, the more you feel as if you are outside.  This is the look some designers are going for.

If you think of an orangery design, this appeals very well to the use of more glass.  Some of these have lots of glass included in them, while others make better use of higher walls to help create the illusion of another room rather than a conservatory.

Some of these designs have the walls going almost all the way up to the roof.  There are then some narrow windows running along the length of each elevation, with these and the roof letting in more light.

Skylights are also good for modern DIY conservatory designs.  They let heat out and fresh air in, and help to aerate and lighten a conservatory which relies on solid walls more than it would traditionally.

Finally you have to think about the use of bi-fold doors rather than traditional patio doors.  These allow you to open up virtually one whole wall to the garden, rather than simply opening up a set of double doors.  This compensates for having more walls than you would ordinarily, and it defines many of the modern conservatory designs you will see today.

It very much depends on your own personal tastes and indeed your budget as to whether you opt for this kind of DIY conservatory.  It might be just what you are looking for.

Posted in DIY Conservatories General Self Build Conservatory

Cool Down DIY Conservatories With These Proven Techniques

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Posted: June 15, 2010

There is nothing quite like having your own DIY  conservatory to use all year round.  But during the summer months it can be unbearably hot in there – and that means you won’t be able to use it at all.

So how can you solve this sticky problem and make your DIY conservatory usable all year round?

Firstly you need to think about the site and positioning of your conservatory.  If you have the choice of placing it at the rear or the side of your house, think about which option would give you the best placement with regard to the sun.

Next you need to make sure you use certain materials when you buy your conservatory.  For example the type of glass you choose can have a marked effect on how hot – or not – the room gets during the summer.  Modern glass types such as Celcius help to reduce the build up of heat that makes the room unbearable.

Think about the issue of cross flow ventilation as well.  It isn’t just a question of having openings in the windows.  If they are in the wrong place, i.e. all along the same wall, you won’t get the air flow you need to cool things down.

Instead you want vents on every wall possible, because this will cool the conservatory much more efficiently by allowing the air to circulate more effectively.

Roof vents are another good way to ventilate your DIY conservatory adequately.  We all know that heat rises, and in a conservatory it gets trapped near the roof and cannot escape.  This eventually starts to heat the air below it as well, which results in a warm conservatory.

If you install roof vents in the conservatory you will be able to allow that heat to escape.  What’s more you will find that as the hot air escapes, cooler air will come into the conservatory to replace it.  A similar effect can be seen with radiators, and it works equally well with conservatories as well.

Many people don’t think of any of these aspects though.  Instead the first thing they think of is an air conditioning unit.  But these can be very expensive to install and run, and if you have the doors open in the summer you will be effectively running them for nothing.  You won’t get any benefit from them at all unless the doors are closed.

So you can see that it is more than possible to cool down your new DIY conservatory if you think about it carefully before you choose your ideal one.  At this early stage you can install all the most effective ways of cooling it down, to ensure you enjoy it more and more as time goes on.

Posted in Conservatory Bases Conservatory Plants DIY Conservatories Self Build Conservatory

What Are The Advantages Of DIY Conservatories?

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Posted: June 1, 2010

If you are considering building your own DIY conservatory rather than getting builders in to do it for you, there are plenty of benefits that might serve to sway your decision.

For starters they are great if you have a small budget.  You won’t have the expense of having to hire builders to do the job for you.  This can add up to a lot of man hours that need to be paid for by you.

(more…)

Posted in DIY Conservatories

DIY Conservatories – Which Kits Are Best?

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Posted: May 28, 2010

This is a common question asked by many people who are considering opting for a DIY conservatory rather than having one installed for them.
(more…)

Posted in DIY Conservatories

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