Style
THERE ARE SO MANY STYLES OF CONSERVATORY - WHICH ONE DO I WANT?
We are the first to appreciate how confusing it is when you try to decide
what style of conservatory to choose.
For one thing. some companies may call a particular style one thing - while
another supplier calls it something else! Very confusing.
The most common names used are Victorian, Edwardian, Regency and Traditional
(which can also be called a lean-to, sun lounge, garden room or even home
extender).
Your most important considerations are - what style most complements your
home, the space available and your needs.
One tip is that unless your home is very different to your neighbours’ there
is an excellent chance that one or two of them already have a conservatory
- so which of those styles do you like best?
WHAT STYLE IS WHAT?
As we have already said the problem is one manufacturer may call something
a Victorian design and someone else may dub it an Edwardian. But here is some
rule-of-thumb advice we hope will help.
VICTORIAN
The Victorian gives an echo of a bygone era which has, by the magic of modern
design, been adapted to suit many modern homes
It is the style most likely to have a bow-front.
It is elegant and lends itself to many subtle designs. Most common is a three-section
bay, which forms a rounded end, but this can be extended to five bays.
EDWARDIAN
The Edwardian, like the Victorian, has classical good looks that don’t
look out of place on a modern home.
For many companies the Edwardian style differentiates from a Victorian by
having a squarer or more rectangular base, rather than a bowed end.
REGENCY
This style is offered by fewer companies than the Victorian or Edwardian.
Its best described as having the shape of a traditional greenhouse - but what
a greenhouse. How many hothouses do you know witch offer features such as a
sunburst design over the door?
TRADITIONAL
This is a more modern style than the Victorian, Edwardian or Regency.
It gets its name of lean-to because the ridge - rather than extending from
the property as the three styles described above do - hugs into the wall.
It is a great way to use limited space, or as an infill between two projecting
ends of a building.
MIXING UP THE STYLES
You may have come across a conservatory that just doesn’t conform to
any particular style. It could be that it is a mix of styles!
A popular version is to link a Victorian to a Traditional conservatory to
create a P-shape. It might even be that the Traditional style sits between
two Victorian or Edwardian conservatories to create a link.
This type of bespoke design doesn’t come cheap - but it can prove to
be an excellent way to use an unusually shaped space. It is also the answer
to giving more than one use for a conservatory, such as using one part as a
dining room the other as a family space to relax in.
GETTING DOWN TO BASICS
Before you get carried away with the glossy brochures you need to make some
basic decisions. Such as:
What style will fit into the nominated space? For example, it’s no good
wanting a conservatory that projects out into the garden with a bowed end,
when you would be better advised to use the available space with a traditional
(or lean-to) conservatory.
Look at your house and give consideration to the pitch of your eaves, and
where windows are sited - a pitched roof that would cover part of a window
is just going to look silly!
WHAT’S NEXT
The answer to that is, quite simply, take your time deciding what you need.
A conservatory isn’t a cheap toy. If you get it right it has the capability
of adding real value to your home as well as creating invaluable living space.
Before you start to talk to suppliers, take a good look around. Consult friends
and neighbours, go for a walk or drive and see what other people have, and
look on the internet. Send for brochures and visit garden centres where there
are conservatory showrooms.
Then:
Set down exactly what space you have and what you want to use the conservatory
for.
Have a good idea of the style you want and do a rough sketch - you don’t
have to be a fantastic artist - just get out a ruler and pencil and give it
a try.
Ask the salesman to visit your home to assess for himself what can be offered
and to do you a proper design.
Ask questions - don’t be intimidated. If you don’t understand
what a salesman means say so. An example is that one person might talk about
a bay, another about a splay, they are the same thing but why should you know
that?
It can be the same with a conservatory with a bowed end and counting the ‘number
of walls’. Someone might describe a three-sectioned bay design as having
five walls. Be absolutely sure that you know what the salesperson means. A
quick sketch could shed a lot of light.
Consider the best type of materials for your home. If you live in a conservation
area find out what is allowed. It’s no good signing up for a PVCu conservatory
and then finding only hardwood will please the planners. A reputable company
should know this information and not let you fall into that trap.
To be honest, if a company lets you make that kind of mistake or shies away
from answering your questions - they aren’t the kind of people you want
to be dealing with.
You are the customer. You have the right to be treated with respect - there
is no reason why you shouldn’t be absolutely sure about what you are
buying.
A careful and considerate sales person, will probably be a good reflection
of the calibre of the company you are dealing with.
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