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How to Get More Use out of Your Conservatory in Winter

by Edwin Johnston

Conservatories can get pretty chilly in winter, and you might find that the room doesn't get much use during the cooler months. With a few changes to your conservatory you can keep it warm and cosy all year round, meaning you'll have more indoor space to enjoy when it's too cold to go outside.

The conservatory is a wonderful room to enjoy the festive season from, and gives you a great view of snow and seasonal wildlife. If you miss spending time in nature when it's cold, then warming up your conservatory is a must. Once well-heated, the conservatory will give you a way to enjoy your garden even when temperatures are below zero.

Invest in underfloor heating

Many conservatories have tiled floors, which get freezing when it's cold. To avoid the unpleasant experience of feeling like you've stepped onto an ice rink, invest in underfloor heating. An underfloor heating mat is simple to install yourself, and can be controlled by a remote. You'll be able to set the times and temperatures you want, so you won't waste energy heating the floor when it's not in use.

If you want to make the room feel even warmer, choose a wooden floor instead. This will retain heat more effectively than tiles, but is more practical than carpet. You could also put down thick rugs - these add a lovely, cosy to feel to any room, and can be easily put into storage come summer.

Have awnings installed

Retractable awnings are a great way to make your conservatory more hospitable while it's cold. Awnings can be opened and closed via remote, meaning you have complete control over how to use them. Conservatory awnings are made from a special material which traps heat during winter, keeping the room well insulated. This means you won't have to waste money on installing new radiators or turning heating on more frequently.

During summer, the same awnings reflect sunlight to keep the room nice and cool, so they won't be useless once winter's over. The awnings can be automated using sun sensors, thermal switches and timers. This means you won't have to worry about keeping track of the weather and deciding when to open or close the awnings - all the work is done for you.

Awnings are ideal if you don't have double glazed windows, and don't want to pay loads of money to have them changed. All the insulation of double glazing is provided, without the downside of the room getting too hot in summer.

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