Eco-Friendly Conservatories: Designs for Green Living

Going green is easier to do in some instances than in others. When it comes to building work and home improvements the tendency is to assume it’s either very expensive or will require unusual (hard-to-source) materials. When it comes to building conservatories, there are just two things to consider (in the main), 1) the glass and 2) the frame. With this in mind you may be surprised at just how easy it is to design and build a ‘green’ conservatory…

The Glass

Obviously, glass forms a significant part of the structure of a conservatory, so not only should it be sustainably sourced where possible, it also needs to make the conservatory itself eco-friendly.

With advances in technology there are many different types of specialised glazing which are exceptional at keeping cold out and heat in. These include Low-e, solar control and switch glass, all of which are becoming more popular as choices for today’s conservatives. Whilst many of us remember the days before we even had double glazing, these new types of glass take a fantastic leap forward when it comes to green credentials. They make modern conservatories a much more appealing room to be in, all year round.

Letting in light used to be the main function of a window, but now they’re expected to have exceptional thermal properties too. By 2016 all new homes will need to be carbon neutral and that means glazing solutions that are practical, affordable and adaptable to diverse conditions.

This is a huge benefit to conservatory design today as modern specialised glasses create tremendous thermal insulation, significantly reducing heat loss through your windows. These types of glass also provide self-cleaning and solar control options for all year round benefits to you and your family. Your conservatory will therefore stay warmer and consume less energy at all times, which of course is good for the environment and for your pocket.

Traditional double and triple glazing options are no longer economical either. As you can imagine, with an extra pane, structures become much heavier, meaning they are not great for roofing. At Apropos, solar control glass is used to reduce the amount for solar and thermal gain coming into the structure. Whereas triple glazings are a third more efficient than standard double glazing, solar control double glazing actually reduces heat transmission by 65%.

Be sure to know the impact of all your glazing options during any conservatory design process.

The Frame

The other major part of any conservatory design is the frame. In the past, likely materials were wood or UPVC, however aluminium conservatory frames are a much more consumer friendly option, with regards to the environment and budget.

Aluminium conservatories are stronger and last longer. Thus, they are more environmentally-friendly as a result of not requiring replacement parts or a re-build over time. Added to this, Aluminum is also non-magnetic, abundant in supply and most crucially 100% recyclable. It will last for decades, in all weather conditions and if you do happen to fancy a change, bespoke conservatory frames of this kind can be recycled with ease for total peace of mind.