Custom Built Conservatories: Conservatories Earn High Marks For Bringing Families Together

(HIT) - After the shock of September 11, many Americans are rediscovering family values. According to trend watchers, we’re turning our backs on excessive acquisition, re-connecting in deeper ways with family and friends, and making our homes the centers of our lives. We’re on a home improvement binge, and among the add-ons attracting lots of attention is the charming glass-enclosed space called a conservatory.

Conservatories are being recognized as a perfect sanctum for quiet pursuits as well as great gathering places for family and friends. "The interest in conservatories has never been higher," says Alan Stein, Tanglewood Conservatory’s director of architecture. "This is not to say that homeowners have suddenly discovered the conservatory, but there is a marked difference in the way they feel about it. In the past decade, the conservatory was the trophy room, and people were very attracted to its glamour. Now homeowners are more interested in it as a retreat and a family room."

"A conservatory is where they go to chill out after fighting traffic and crowds," he explains." A conservatory is also the family’s favorite place for dinner, homework or just reading the paper … and a glass-enclosed conservatory is a terrific for parties. Entertaining at home is a trend now, and a conservatory can be dressed up or down to be romantic, elegant or casual."

Conservatory Energy Efficiency

Looking at the intricate fretwork of glass and elaborate architectural characteristic of a glass-enclosed conservatory, it’s difficult to relate them to energy efficiency. But according to Stein, the glass walls of conservatories combined with stone or tile floors will trap and store the heat of the sun during the day and the cooling breezes during the night and then release them to adjoining rooms as needed. In addition, a Tanglewood conservatory employs the newest technology, including triple-glazed, laminated and tinted glass, to boost energy efficiency.

"Again, we are talking about a definite trend," remarks Stein. "People are looking for ways to decrease the nation’s dependency on foreign oil, and increasing energy efficiency in the home is one step in the right direction."

The location of a conservatory has a great deal to do with its energy efficiency, too.

Stein, who often makes as many as a dozen visits to a site before a project is finished, points out that a Southern exposure is best for capturing the most daylight, but it may be too hot in warm regions. The additional cooling needed could be costly. An Eastern exposure will ease cooling needs by providing sun in the morning and shade the rest of the day, hardly a good idea for anybody, who wants to retreat to the conservatory for after-work enjoyment.

A Western exposure, on the other hand, will bring in harsh afternoon sun that will need to be shaded. A Northern exposure will provide low levels of light and partial shade most of the day. In Northern states, this might cause a room to be too cool and damp, but it would be a good idea for the South. Locating a conservatory on an east-west axis in cool regions will provide the highest amount of passive solar heating benefits.

"It is an art locating a conservatory," says Stein. "It has to complement the home, provide a great view of the grounds, suit the family’s lifestyle, and be as practical as it is elegant."

Custom Built Conservatory Costs

Altogether, designing and building a conservatory is serious business. Stein tells that a custom-built conservatory may well cost from $300 to $900 per square foot, so it is important that every aspect, from site location to material choices, is handled expertly. Consequently, Stein is adamant that homeowners should consult with a design professional and builder with a gifted eye and a proven track record.

He explains that once homeowners have approved the drawings of their Tanglewood conservatory, the company’s team back in Denton, Md, springs into action. Denton is located on the Eastern shore of Maryland, which is noted for its traditions of fine boat building, carpentry and glass expertise, and these are skills that enhance every conservatory project. Upon completion, a conservatory is disassembled into large sections and shipped to the job site.

For more information about building a conservatory, contact Tanglewood Conservatories, 15 Engerman Ave., Denton, MD 21629, 1-410-479-4700. Or check the firm’s website at www.tanglewoodconservatories.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center