Perhaps due to the unpredictable English climate, more homeowners are looking to ways to heat their conservatories in winter and cool them in summer. These counter spaces and such glass extension are no longer hot as an oven in the summer and chilly as a refrigerator in the winter. Here comes the tiled conservatory roof – a remedy that is quickly becoming clients’ favourite in the UK for its unique potential of making these structures into actual living spaces.

This article is a brief history on conservatories.

Historically speaking, conservatories were intended to be like garden rooms, and as such, let us bring the outdoors in. This is why glass roofs were a regular feature of these buildings, as it allowed for massive amounts of light and a clear sight of the sky. Nevertheless, such design was a problem when it comes to temperature control and thus these rooms were not very comfortable especially during extreme weather conditions.

Of course, people always follow these alterations of life which in turn expect such changes in houses. Today, we want permanently usable rooms that can be enjoyed irrespective of what the weather man would want to unleash on Britain. The change of perception has created new approaches, of which tiled conservatory roofs are one of the examples.

The advantages of having tiled conservatory roofs

Better temperatures.
Another benefit that is associates with the use of tiled roof is the enhancement of temperature regulation. The tiles also give some measures of protection to the outside climate and therefore, the conservatory is usable throughout summer and winter. What it entails is the ability to sip your morning tea in your conservatory without the feeling of being in a hot oven or an extremely cold freezer.

Energy Efficiency
And there you have it; the implication is that with additional insulation, comes enhanced energy realisation. Installation of tiled roof cuts on your heating expenses during the cold season and on your cooling expenses during the dry season. This also saves your hard earned cash while at the same time lessening the impact of your home on the environment – a plus for green consumers.

Noise Reduction
Anyone who has ever tried to listen to rainfall on a glass roof will understand how useful tiles are because of their sound absorption. A tiled roofing on the conservatory is much quieter than the externally based roofing and as such provides a quieter examination. If you’re working from home or student or just love reading a book, this feature alone makes such a space invaluable.

Aesthetic Appeal
Despite the fact that glass roofs may be rather attractive, tiled roofs on the building can also be considered as quite beautiful. It is possible to choose one to replicate or harmonise with the existing style of your home thereby eliminating the appearance of a stark contrast when compared to the rest of your home. As with many things in life, there is something for everyone, from the classic clay tiled roof to the more contemporary slate lookalike.

Increased Property Value
One fact is that a properly constructed conservatory offered with a tiled roof will improve the value of the existing living space. The target client base is typically interested in facilities that lend themselves to multi-seasonal use and are usable all year round. What people don’t think about is that by opting to build a tiled roof, they are actually investing in their future and their home.

The Installation Process

In case you are thinking of replacing your old conservatory roof with a tiled one, or you’re planning a brand new build for your home then it is important that you have knowledge of the whole procedure. While every project is unique, here’s a general overview of what you can expect:

1. Assessment: A specialist will conduct a survey of your existing conservatory, if any, to determine whether it will be capable of accommodating a tiled roof in question.
2. Design: As for the style, colour, and materials to be used for your tiled roof, you will consult with professionals who will help you get the best roofing to complement your home.
3. Planning: If your site is in a designated area or where you’re planning for an extensive renovation, then you might have to apply for planning permission. It is advisable that your installer should help you on this.
4. Installation: The actual installation is rather fast, it usually ranges from few days to one week, depending on the size and tasks of designated project.
5. Finishing touches: When constructing the roof, one is left to doing the interior work which include, plastering, lighting as well as the other features one has chosen.

Factors to Look at Before the Process Starts

While tiled conservatory roofs offer numerous benefits, it’s important to consider a few factors before making your decision:

Light levels: As it would be expected a tiled roof will to some extent minimise the entry of natural light into your conservatory. This is however can be controlled through proper installation of skylights or roof windows into the structure.

Cost: First, one has to understand that a tiled roof will be a little more costly at the outset than a simple glass or polycarbonate one. However, the overall energy consumption decreases in the long run and flexibility of the space provides advantage over this cost.

Weight: Tiled roofs are much heavier than glass types of roofs. Cheque that an already existing conservatory structure will be able to stand the new additional load, or be willing to do some reinforcement job later.

Maintenance: Although such roofs are relatively easy to maintain, a tiled roof may occasionally need inspection and washing to keep it in perfect shape.

The Future of Conservatories

In our constant search for how to make our homes more liveable and energy efficient, tiled conservatory roofs are a major advancement. Ask them and you get a practical solution to all the issues that face most conservatory owners vying with an excellent finish that complements your house or business’ appearance.

The idealisation of multifunctional and comfortable zones of living remains in the process of popular development. When you opt for tiled conservatory roof, you are not only eradicating existing problems, but also those which might arise in the future years.

If you want to redesign or redesign your existing conservatory or are ready to construct a new one, thinking about a tiled roof is a perfect solution that may help create the required space. When it comes to conservatory roofing systems more and more homeowners in England choose tiled roofing systems as they are more comfortable, energy-efficient, and aesthetically pleasing.

In any major home renovation project one has to do some homework and consult with the experts in order to make the optimum decision. A tiled conservatory roof may very well be the perfect change your home needs – so long as it is well planned and professionally designed.

If you’re thinking of getting a rooflight, you’ve probably thought about the glazing material and the style of rooflight you’re going to choose. Usually, the frame of the rooflight is less likely to be a consideration until later down the line, but the truth is, it’s still something you should think about. There are two main options: uPVC and aluminium. Both have different qualities and will suit different property types, depending on your requirements.

uPVC is mainly used with polycarbonate rooflights in public spaces, such as offices or shopping centres. They are the cheaper option and, whilst thermally efficient, won’t have such a premium finish. Aluminium frames are sleek and beautiful, usually used with glass rooflights in the home to give a high-end appearance. Aluminium frames can come in various RAL colours, including dark green, grey and white, and they too are very thermally efficient. They are robust too and can last for many years.

When you think of oak beams, you probably think about old wooden structural beams that are used in older properties. They might be from the 1700s or 1800s, or they could be a little newer, but what is common to all of these properties is the use of beams in their integral structures. Wooden beams look right in this kind of setting, but they are also important in their structure.

If you have a newer property, can beams still look right? Might they make the property look older than it is? Will you be able to achieve the right kind of look still? It’s definitely a possibility – buildings can look stunning with contemporary wooden beams and high vaulted ceilings, giving a sense of space and openness. However, you do need to be careful to use the beams in the right way so as not to detract from the ambience of the room. It’s important you consider carefully the part that they will play in the overall design.

Considering oak beams for a newer build – what kinds of properties will they complement?

Oak beams will look better in some properties than others. These are some of the properties that they will work best in:

• Barn conversions. Many barn conversions will already have oak beams up in the rafters, as they will be part of the original structure. If they don’t, then oak beams would almost certainly look stunning. Barn conversions benefit from high ceilings and open rafters, so beautiful oak beams can only serve to enhance them.
• Modern cottages. If you have a cottage that is trying to replicate an older property with its rustic charm, you might want to install oak beams.
• Extended buildings. It might not be worth installing oak beams in existing properties – it can cause more problems than it might solve. However if you have an extension built, wooden beams could work very well in this extended area.

What to consider when deciding whether to install oak beams in a contemporary property

If you think oak beams could work for you but you’re not 100% sure, here are some of the main considerations:

• The size of the property. To make wooden beams work, you need plenty of space. It’s probably counterproductive to install beams in a space that isn’t big enough.
• Any existing wooden features. If there are existing wooden features, for example, skirting boards, wall panels or windowsills, you should aim to match these with any wooden beams installed. Different wooden finishes in the same room can be very off-putting. It is often a better idea to paint wood to achieve the same finish, but this might be a shame with real oak.
• The colour of the wooden beams. If you use reclaimed oak, it might be quite weathered and dark in colour. This could look dramatic and beautiful in some spaces, but it could also make the room feel closed in. Consider your options carefully and decide how you’re going to get the perfect finish.

Energy efficiency in the home is incredibly important. If you buy a new home, it will have an energy performance certificate, or EPC, to show how efficient it is. This will indicate how much energy it will take to run, and subsequently, how much it will cost you. It’s not cost effective to have an inefficient home. So how energy efficient are rooflights? It largely depends on their age and their quality – a high quality rooflight with a low u-value will be very energy efficient. There is double and even triple glazing available, making rooflights good at maintaining a consistent temperature. Older rooflights will generally not perform as well and may let warm air escape, or make a room too hot in the glare of the sun during summer. Replacing old rooflights is a good way of improving energy efficiency and making sure your home is using energy in the most efficient ways possible.

Were you under the impression that you can only have a stove if you are able to fit it with a flue and chimney? This isn’t the case – you will be able to enjoy all the warmth and beauty of a fire, without a flue needed. Balanced flue gas fires give you the realistic appearance of a stove, but without the need for fitting a flue and burning a real fire. It offers the best of both worlds – more warmth, a better aesthetic, and the convenience of not having to load and clean out a real stove. This could be the ideal option for you and your family.

A balance flue stove offers a realistic, modern alternative to the wood burning stoves and multi fuel stoves that have been around for years. In reality, many modern homes don’t have chimneys and therefore, it isn’t possible to build a flue and install a fire without significant structural work. In some cases, it simply might not be possible at all. In this instance, why not consider a balanced flue stove instead? They use highly advanced technology to create a realistic flame effect, complete with the warmth that you would get from a wood burning stove as well. Don’t compromise and keep homes cold a sterile – choose to enhance their appearance and create a cosy ambience.

Is a balanced flue gas fire right for your home?

With a balance flue gas fire, the stove is sealed, meaning there are no draughts. This increases energy efficiency straight away, so your home will be more thermally efficient. If you have a wood burning stove, there can be issues with draughts and some people find that they don’t heat their homes as efficiently as they would like them to. There are none of these worries with balanced flue gas stoves due to the effectiveness of the sealing process. There will be venting on the outside wall. You can expect around an 86% efficiency rating, and a variable heat output up to 4.5KW. This means your home can be significantly warmer, without having to put on the central heating. Many people enjoy heating their home in this way, with the flexibility to heat just the one room and not waste energy heating up the whole house if this is not required.

The flames themselves will create a realistic coal burning effect, so they are aesthetically pleasing as well. You can also choose these stoves in various designs to fit in with your aesthetic, so they don’t just have to be a one size fits all appearance. You can choose a modern cassette stove to suit a contemporary interior, or more curved, traditional options if you have always dreamed of your very own wood burning stove.

All in all, a fixed flue gas fire offers the perfect compromise for many homeowners. You can choose to have your stove almost anywhere, and it can be easy to operate with remote and slide controls. Light a roaring fire and snuggle down, without even having to leave your seat!