The term ‘conservatory’ was originally used to describe a non–glazed structure for storing food. The word is derived from the Italian “conservato” which means “stored or preserved” and Latin “ory” which means “a place for”. Later, it became a glazed structure for conserving, or protecting, plants from cold weather. Today there are so many uses for conservatories, from a Garden Room to a much needed extra space where you can sit in the warmth of your home and still enjoy uninterrupted views of the outside.
The earliest known conservatories date from the 17th century with designs made of stones and more glazing. It wasn’t until later in the mid-19th Century, when the introduction of iron into the construction and manufacturing industry, conservatories were made of cast iron. The design has become more elaborate and intricate in details because iron is a relatively soft metal that can be shaped easily into something decorative. Cast iron was mass-produced and much cheaper, but it was weak in tension and succumbed to frost damage and rust over time. In addition, maintaining and heating the iron-framed conservatories was very expensive. But over the last 40 years, as construction problems have been overcome and a new wave of technology including double–glazing, solar glass and Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (UPVC) has emerged, conservatories are easy to maintain and heat.
Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride or UPVC is a thermoplastic polymer which was accidentally discovered at least twice in the 19th century, first in 1835 by Henri Victor Regnault and in 1872 by Eugen Bauman. However, difficulties in processing the rigid and brittle polymer made it difficult to be used in commercial products. It was only in 1926 when Semon and the B.F Goodrich Company successfully developed a method to plasticize PVC that this material achieved widespread commercial use.
PVC originates from the raw materials of common salt and petroleum or natural gas. Its chemical compounds are chlorine, carbon and hydrogen. As the term implies, unplasticized means that the material has not been softened by the addition of chemicals known as plasticizers. That is why UPVC is otherwise known as Rigid PVC. It is biologically and chemically resistant, making it the plastic of choice for a wide variety of applications.
Of all the many types of conservatories, those made of UPVC are some of the most in-demand because of their affordability, versatility, and durability. A UPVC conservatory is made of strong plastic that can withstand the test of time.
The first and undoubtedly most obvious advantage of using UPVC when building a conservatory is that it is the cheapest option. Because of its plastic composite, these conservatories are extremely cheap to manufacture. They have also the ability to save on energy because of their special insulation material which helps in retaining heat, so that you don’t have to waste tremendous amount of money on electricity and utility bills. Moreover, the ease of maintenance of this type of conservatory is a stand-out. Unlike wooden conservatories which needs high maintenance requiring periodic varnishing and cleaning, a UPVC conservatory is easy to maintain and only needs water and soap to be cleaned effectively.
Secondly, UPVC provides an advanced locking system that gives high level of security to the conservatories. In addition, they are very hard to break and when they do shatter, they split into huge blocks of shards, making them safe compared to materials that break into tiny splinters.
Thirdly, longevity is another outstanding advantage of UPVC conservatories compared to traditional ones. The former can last longer because they are resistant to extreme weather conditions while the materials of the traditional conservatories easily chip, crack or fade in time, making it all the more expensive.
Lastly, as for the case of aesthetics, UPVC conservatories are absolutely top of the line. Boasting its sleek style and minimalist look, these simple whitewashed conservatories blend well with many modern homes making them the choice these days for homeowners. However, for those who still prefer the elegance of the classics, they need not worry because UPVC materials comes in a range of colours and finishes, including a photo-effect wood finished look which is used in lieu of real wood.
There are different styles of UPVC conservatories existing today. The Lean to Style Conservatory, sometimes referred to as the Sunroom or Garden Room is either square or rectangular in shape, with a sloping roof – the projection of the roof is no more than 12’ or 3.6m. This style will not always fit on every type of properly. This is only ideal on properties where there may be height restrictions, like bungalows.
Another style is the Edwardian Style of Conservatory which is also square or rectangle in shape with a pitched roof. This style affords a maximum floor space due to its square fronted corners. It has a simple look with strong bold lines.
The Victorian Style of Conservatory has a classic and elegant bearing. Its versatile and pleasing aesthetics will virtually enhance any style of property. Its sharp crisp angle roof is softened by its facets (3 or 5 facets) providing a rounded and styled look.
Lastly, the P shaped conservatory is a combination of a Lean to and Victorian style. So in effect it equates to adding an additional two rooms to the house. It has great versatility because it is not restricted in its use. The soft corners provide the ability to let the eye glide from one end to another seamlessly, giving a perception of one space.
With your conservatory, you can bask in the sunlight and enjoy the glorious beauty of nature without standing in the hot summer sun directly.
