Condensation What is Condensation? Condensation is moisture in the air that comes into contact with a cold surface and then condenses from water vapour into a liquid again. It points to a problem in humidity levels in the home and a lack of adequate ventilation which in turn can lead to damage and mould growth Internal Condensation (on the inner pane of a window) Condensation inside your home points to high moisture levels and a lack of adequate ventilation.  New windows will have been manufactured to achieve a high efficiency and a tight sealed installation, due to this moisture can not escape so it aims for coldest part of the room which is the glass unit. Your old windows may not have produced as much or no condensation at all , this is due to the fact they were less air tight & energy efficient allowing air to pass from the inside to the outside without causing any condensation. Excess moisture can also appear from hot showers, boiling the kettle, cooking and drying wet washing. What can be done about it? Condensation can be reduced by allowing adequate ventilation such as opening slot vents and windows. Extractor fans are also  a good way of reducing excess moisture in bathroom and kitchens. External Condensation (on the outer pane of a window) Condensation appears externally due to the fact that modern windows are manufactured to be more thermally efficient. As a result, the heat will not be able to escape through the outer pane which then causes condensation to appear on the outer pane. The outer pane of the glass is cooler and when the temperature falls below the dew point, moisture in the air condenses on it. Unfortunately, nothing can be done for condensation on the outer pane. However it usually doesn’t last long and means that your windows are keeping the heat in within your house! Window condensation can be worse during a Autumn & Spring morning as at these times of the year the temperature of the glass can drop drastically overnight, yet the dew point remains relatively high. Some windows can be affected more than others as slight changes in orientation or shelter can mean that that windows or even panes next to each other can react differently.

Historically, a conservatory could present problems with thermal efficiency – too cold in winter, baking hot in summer. These days, the choice of thermally efficient materials and construction techniques mean that this is not a problem that should put anyone off adding an attractive new space to their home. Because there is greater thermal efficiency, less heat is transferred across the conservatory’s base, roof and windows. This means that it keeps in the warmth in winter and prevents overheating in summer. Your conservatory can be a lovely, comfortable part of your house all year round. The key is to make some smart choices right from the beginning. So the quality of the materials you choose will make a real difference. Materials for your conservatory Conservatory glazing Double – or even triple – glazing is an important part of ensuring a high level of thermal efficiency. We guarantee all our glass sealed units for 10 years from installation for the failure of hermetical seals. Conservatory roofing A glass roof is an obvious choice. You get the benefits of double glazing for thermal efficiency as well as increased natural light to make your extra space look and feel bright and airy. Alternatively, you might want a roof that matches the roof of your property making your conservatory look more like a room from the outside. Tiles can also offer great thermal efficiency and good sound insulation as well as being highly secure. Talk to us about your options for ensuring your conservatory is attractive as well as practical and energy-efficient. Conservatory base The construction of your conservatory base will help manage heat transfer from your conservatory. Your supplier should ensure you have a suitable damp proof membrane and use engineering bricks below the damp course. Conservatory brickwork If your conservatory design includes brickwork – usually in the form of a dwarf wall – you need to have a cavity wall with insulating material to reduce heat loss. Think about all these aspects when you first start planning your conservatory and you will have an additional attractive space to your home that is ideal to use all year round.

Planning Permission for your conservatory First, let’s talk about the important legal issues around building a new conservatory. Do you need Planning Permission? In most cases, you won’t. Conservatories are what is considered a permitted development which means they are exempt from planning permissions. Great news for you! However, there are some conditions under which you will require planning permission. So bear in mind the following when planning and designing your conservatory: You conservatory must not take up more than half of the area around the original house (when it was first built or as it was on the 1 July 1948 if built before then). Planning Permission can apply if you build your conservatory on the front of a property or the side facing a highway. For a detached house, it should be no longer than four metres; for a semi-detached or terraced property, no longer than three metres. The maximum height limit is four metres for a single storey extension. Conditions can vary if your property is in a national park, area of outstanding natural beauty or on other “designated land”. You can check whether you will need planning permission at the Planning Portal. And do talk to our experts to ensure that we can give you specific guidance for your conservatory project. Building Regulations for your conservatory Most new conservatories will be exempt from Building Regulations but, as with Planning Permission, there are special conditions where they will be needed. Think about how you can: Design the conservatory is built at ground level and smaller than 30m2. Ensure it is separated from the property by substantial walls, doors and windows and has a separate heating system. Ensure that, if the conservatory spans the width of your property, it does not restrict ladder access to upstairs windows, securing a fire escape route. You will need Building Regulation approval if you install fixed electricity points or a toilet or sink. Energy Survey for your conservatory If you have an open entrance between your house and conservatory – rather than separating the two with doors – you might need Building Regulations approval and you will need to have an energy survey carried out by a registered Energy Assessor. They will make recommendations to ensure that any additional heat loss from this arrangement can be offset with other improvements. These might include replacing old windows, improving insulation, or installing a more energy efficient boiler. Since energy efficiency is a big factor in choosing your new conservatory it makes sense to take full advantage of such improvements at this time.Again, talk to our experts to help find the best option for your home.

What is the difference between and orangery and a conservatory? Historically a much older concept than the conservatory, the orangery is seeing a resurgence in popularity amongst home owners who want to some extra space to their property. Either can be a good choice, depending on your preferences, the style of your home, and the environment you are located in. An orangery tends to create a more private space than a conservatory. Whilst the extra glazing of a conservatory brings a lot of daylight into a home and allows expansive views of the garden, an orangery has a greater proportion of brickwork which allows it to blend with the existing structure and feel like a more integral part of the home. An orangery will have a plastered roof with a roof lantern which maintains an enclosed feel to the space whilst adding ceiling height and allowing in sunlight. A conservatory roof will be fully glazed and the walls will be primarily glazed too making this choice more popular where an enclosed garden offers good privacy.

Transform your old conservatory You’ve bought a new home – but it has an old conservatory! You like the extra space and light it provides – it’s one of the reasons the house appealed – but it’s not in the best condition and it looks its age. What do you do? Refreshing your conservatory is the obvious choice. From replacing the old-fashioned glazing for something contemporary and more energy-efficient, to changing the roof style, to re-building to make better use of the area it covers, you can certainly take that scruffy old addition to your house to a desirable living space that makes your home complete. Whether your prefer a traditional style or a more modern take on a conservatory, a conventional white frame or a more adventurous colour choice, now is the time to stamp your style on your home. Even when we’re working with an existing structure, you’ll still get our personalised service to give you a bespoke design that gives you what you need and enhances the appearance of your home. Take a look at some projects we’ve carried out around Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to transform homes of all shapes and sizes. From an ancient eyesore to a lovely living space… New doors and windows bring more light into this conservatory… New doors and windows as well as orangery-style roofs transform this conservatory… More space and much smarter look for this conservatory… A true transformation! More attractive in every way… Impressed by these transformations? Why not take a look at our case study of a conservatory project in Heanor which was recognised by the National Fenestration Awards?