A conservatory is an excellent place to spend time over the winter months when it’s chilly in other rooms of the house. However, once summer hits, this room tends to become much less palatable because the light you loved in winter ends up making you way too hot.
Rather than resigning yourself to the idea that you can’t use the space much once the weather heats up, you can make the most of this part of your home. Follow a few steps so you and your loved ones get to enjoy the conservatory’s calm atmosphere and view out to the garden on lazy summer days.
Utilize Ventilation
When hot air gets trapped in your conservatory, this automatically heats the room significantly. To reduce the temperature, pay attention to ventilation. Circulate air and let in (hopefully) cool breezes by opening a window or door. This solution may not be enough to have much effect on a very hot day, though, so you might also want to consider more background ventilation. Achieve this via vents installed in the roof or the bottom of your conservatory. The roof vents are, as you’d imagine, the most important, since hot air rises.
Install Ceiling Fans or Air Conditioning
One of the top things you might like to do to improve temperature conditions in your conservatory is put in a low-profile ceiling fan or two, depending on the space you need to cool down. Mounted overhead, these fans help to spread cool air evenly yet don’t take away from the sunlight you want to enjoy during the cooler months of the year.
If you have a much bigger budget, have an air conditioning unit installed in your conservatory. These typically cost at least a couple of thousand dollars, but they do give you cooler air at the touch of a button, and heating too, if you buy a reverse-cycle unit. Just keep in mind that you’ll have higher power bills to cover as a result.
Invest in Blinds
Blinds can be a big help in a conservatory too. The multipurpose tools help shield the room from the sun, thus lowering temperatures, while also providing more privacy. Window blinds are popular options for conservatories, and you can choose between different styles such as Venetian blinds, roller blinds, shutters, blackout blinds, and printed blinds. Do some research to determine what will suit best for your needs and budget.
However, it’s also worth seeing if you can afford roof blinds to further restrict the sun and heat. These can be customized to fit any roof size and shape. Again, there are multiple products on the market to examine, including handy motorized roof blinds that are easy to open and close. Keep in mind that roof blinds also act as an insulator in the cold months of the year, so help to keep your conservatory warmer in winter, which is a plus.
Add a Cooling Film
Something many people don’t think of when considering ways to cool down their conservatory is the idea of film for the room’s windows. Special cooling film is an adhesive layer you apply straight onto the glass of the conservatory. This film reflects a lot of the heat coming in from the sun, and harmful UV rays. In addition to lowering the temperature in the space and protecting your skin, these films help to stop furniture from fading due to too much light streaming in.
Plant Greenery Outside
Thinking long-term is advisable if you plan to live in your home for many years yet. Strategically plant a tree, vine, or some shrubs in the garden outside your conservatory to provide shade for the room. They will protect your conservatory from the heat of summer, but if you choose deciduous greenery, they can also lose their leaves in the colder months, thus letting more light in right when you want to warm up the area.
Choose Heat Reflective Glass
Another option for conservatory cool-downs is heat reflective glass. Many rooms have double glazing to keep out noise, but this type of glass product can cause temperature issues when the natural light hits it.
Instead, choose heat reflective glass specifically designed for spaces such as conservatories. It stops heat from passing through the glass yet still allows occupants to see through just as well as ordinary glass. Plus, heat-reflective products work to keep heat in during winter, so you get double duty from your investment.
You might like to try one of the above methods or even multiple options, depending on how hot your conservatory gets, how much you use it, how much you feel the heat, and your budget. Being proactive will give you a room you love to use for much more of the year.
