Energy Efficient Glass Enclosed Conservatory

(HIT) - Talk to architects and interior designers these days, and you’ll hear the word “comfort” crop up again and again as they describe current projects. Even clients with nice trust funds are shunning over-the-top rooms, instead opting for family-friendly spaces. Home magazines have jumped on the bandwagon, too, telling readers how to wrap their rooms in easy comfort. In fact, the word comfort is a favorite eye-catcher on magazine covers.

In the words of Alan Stein, architectural director of Tanglewood Conservatories, “comfort is the new glamour”.

“The ideals now and in the future are comfort and easy living rather than show-off decors and pretense,” he explains. “This is how we’re coming to define luxury, and it is hard to think of a space that suits these new ideals better than a glass enclosed conservatory. It works as a place to brunch, lunch and dine. It’s a great retreat after a hectic day of work, crowds and traffic, and it’s perfect for parties. It can also be a studio, a den, a spa and practically any other space associated with creature comforts.”

He adds that comfort isn’t just physical.

“It is emotional as well,” he says. “For example, it appeals to homeowners that they can enjoy the garden year-round from a conservatory. In fact, new conservatory owners often remark that they never knew their garden was so wonderful in winter, too. They especially can’t get over what a magical experience it is to be sitting in a glass room with snow falling all around you.”

Energy Efficiency

But can a glass enclosed conservatory really be comfortable year-round?

The answer is yes, and this is true even if you live in Southern California or Northernmost Vermont. Glass is specified for top energy efficiency, and the tile and stone floors commonly used in glass enclosed conservatories are excellent for both radiant and passive solar heating. In hot climates, ceiling fans, window blinds, skylights that open, and exterior roof sunscreens will prevent excessive heat build-up, and just like the tile and stone floors work to conserve heat in cold climates, they will store cool night breezes and air conditioning in hot climates.

“Looking at the intricate fretwork of glass and elaborate architectural details characteristic of glass enclosed conservatories, it’s difficult to think of them as anything but a beautiful confection,” remarks Stein. “But in the hands of a good architect and conservatory specialist, they can absolutely increase a home’s energy efficiency. This is a talent that’s more appreciated than ever. People are looking for ways to decrease the nation’s dependency on foreign oil, and this is a step in the right direction.”

Conservatory Location

The best location for a glass enclosed conservatory has a lot to do with its energy efficiency. Stein, who often makes as many as a dozen visits to a site before a project is finished, points out that a Southern location captures the most daylight, but it may be too hot in many regions. Eastern exposure eases cooling needs by providing sun in the morning and shade the rest of the day, but clearly this is not a good idea for somebody, who wants a retreat for after-work enjoyment.

Western exposure will bring afternoon sun into the conservatory, and in many parts of the country this will be so harsh that it must be shaded. Northern exposure will provide low levels of light and partial shade most of the day. That might cause a glass enclosed conservatory to be too cool in Northern states, but it would be a good idea for Southern regions. Locating a conservatory on an east-west axis in cool regions will provide the highest amount of passive solar heating benefits.

Stein calls locating a conservatory “an art” and designing and building it “serious business”

“A glass enclosed conservatory has to complement the home, provide a great view of the garden, suit the family’s lifestyle, and function as well as it looks,” he explains. “A custom-built conservatory may well cost from $300 to $900 per square foot, so every aspect, from site location to material choices, must be handled expertly. Consulting with a design professional and builder with a gifted eye and a proven track record is a must.”

In Tanglewood’s case, drawings of the proposed conservatory are presented to the homeowner. Once they are approved, the company’s team of craftsmen springs into action, building the conservatory, and then disassembling it into large sections for shipment to the site. Tanglewood is located in Denton, MD, an area noted for its traditions of boat building, fine carpentry and glass artistry, all skills that enhance conservatory projects.

To see examples of the firm’s colorful custom projects, check www.tanglewoodconservatories.com, or order a catalog from Tanglewood Conservatories, 15 Engerman Ave., Denton, MD 21629, 1-410-479-4700. The beautiful, full-color brochure is $11.85.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center