Conservatories are attractive additions to most homes, barring the occasional horror story or cowboy builder. They’re light and open, adding a great deal of value to your home.
The most significant problem with conservatories is their ecological impact, which can be vast, depending on who you entrust with the build.
What with the materials and potential heating issues involved, it can be difficult to know where to begin if you want to retain an environmentally conscious lifestyle, and also save yourself a bit of money on bills.
Follow these steps, though, and the process will be much simpler.
1. Choose the Right Glazing
Glazing is probably the most substantial element of your conservatory, and will certainly be the most noticeable.
Shoddy glazing, or glazing inappropriate for a conservatory, will leave you shivering all winter and scorching in the summer.
When choosing your glazing, look out for low-e (low thermal emissivity) glazing, complete insulating glass units, and high “R-ratings”.
An R-rating is quite simple to understand – 0.35 is normal glass, 3 is a decent start, and about 5 is good.
Some glass units have reached R-ratings as high as 12.5, but this will definitely be overkill for the average conservatory. Most customers will have to ask their builder on this one, so make sure you get one who is trustworthy and knows what they’re talking about.
2. Choose the Right Material for the Framework
The choice here is mostly between metals (aluminium), hardwoods and uPVC. In terms of eco-friendliness, all three have different strengths and weaknesses.
– Choosing uPVC
Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride is often considered less attractive than hardwoods or metal, but is a good insulator, lasts a long time, and represents very good value for money.
The biggest environmental issue you will face with it is that, when it comes to the end of its life, recycling is more difficult than for other products. uPVC does not biodegrade, although there are schemes in place to enable consumers to recycle their used uPVC, though.
You don’t have to worry about replacing your conservatory framework when it starts to deteriorate. uPVC spares are plentiful, cheap, and easy to get hold of.
– Choosing Metal
Dealing with metal in conservatories is not as common as it used to be, but it is also much easier than it was in the days of cast-iron monoliths.
Aluminium is probably the most common metal in use on conservatories, and is fairly typical of metals; it provides a strong, flexible framework which is useful for areas with a lot of ‘clay heave’ (clay bulging and contracting) or soft ground, but it lets out a lot of heat.
There are also hidden environmental costs, in the strip mining and vast amounts of industry required to produce Aluminium in large amounts, although once you have it in place it’ll last for a long time.
– Choosing A Hardwood
Hardwood is probably one of the trickiest issues for the layperson to approach.
Price is not necessarily an indicator of quality: many valuable hardwoods are prized more for their rarity and attractive grain rather than practical properties. Conversely, cheaper hardwoods are not automatically from more sustainable plantations.
Look for woods which have been certified as sustainable – Forest Stewardship Council wood, Pro Forest wood, PEFC wood.
Avoid tropical or exotic woods unless you are sure that they are not under threat, and if in doubt, look for a second opinion.
In terms of wood quality, look for strength, natural oil and moisture content, and ability to receive coats of varnish or paint.
3. Think Carefully About the Interior
In terms of conservatory furniture and miscellaneous items, a certain amount of research is required, but these are the general rules to follow:
- Steer clear of air conditioners if you know you can cool the room down by opening windows
- Don’t buy expensive heating solutions if you can prevent heat loss in the first place
- Go for beech or wicker rather than oak or mahogany
You can also seek out companies that specialise in eco-friendly solutions. This way you can be a little more confident that your efforts really are helping the environment, and get everything from one convenient and relatively trustworthy place.
Ideally, you’ll end up with a conservatory that keeps you and your plants warm from February to early October, and doesn’t drag your heating bills up the rest of the year.
Plus you get that warm inner glow from having helped save the world!
Patrick Robson is a regular blogger and eco-enthusiast. He blogs for David Salisbury Conservatories, who provide a bespoke hardwood conservatory design service, utilising a range of FSC and PEFC certified timbers.
