Get Your Home Ready For Winter
It’s that time of year where summer seems like a distant memory, the days are short and cold with much more time spent indoors. With this, you want to be as comfortable as possible, so you need to make sure that you get your home ready for winter.
There are many different things you can do to prepare your home but these tasks may seem easy to put off until its too late.
That’s why we’re here to help, we have compiled a list of things you should do to get your home ready for winter.
Check your boiler and heater
Having no heating or hot water can be a real problem on bleak winter days, and all you can do to resolve it is a simple maintenance check.
Contact a gas safe registered company to get a certified engineer to make sure you’re not going to end up in any preventable issues when the winter really kicks in.
Look at our plumbing services here.
Secure your roof
It’s important that your roof is secure enough to stand the winter onslaught. You should take the chance to check for loose tiles as heavy snow and strong winds can wreak havoc on an unprepared roof.
It may also be a good chance to think about changing your conservatory roof if you have one. The winter months may see your conservatory neglected but with a lightweight roof system, this can mean you can enjoy your conservatory all winter. Find out more about solid roof conservatory’s here.
Keep central heating on
To save money on your bills and avoid any frozen pipes it can be useful to keep your heating on a timer and set to low heat throughout the day. Rather than turning the heat up high when you feel cold, keep it an all-around warm temperature and reap the benefits.
Prepare your windows
This is not the time of year to be letting the elements in due to ill-prepared windows. If you’re experiencing drafts or condensation, it’s probably time to upgrade. Our windows are designed to make your home feel safe and comfortable.
Amongst our choice of windows, we also supply secondary glazing, which can be applied to your existing windows for increased energy efficiency and insulation.
Make sure your windows are prepared and check our range here!
Clear gutters
Be sure to keep gutters and downpipes clear from leaves, moss and other material that can cause blockages. If not, water can fracture pipes if it freezes in them or causes quicker deterioration of soaked wall faces in frosty conditions where gutters spill over. You want to make sure that water runs away from your house, so a blocked gutter can cause much more serious problems.
Winter is a time of year you want to be warm and enjoy the comforts of home, so keeping on top of these issues and making sure your home is in working order can prevent unexpected, unnecessary headaches. So all you need to do is sit back and relax and enjoy the comforts of winter.
- Published in Building, Conservatories, Home Improvements, Solid Roofs, Uncategorized, Windows
How to Add Value to Your Home
Wanting to add value to your home is usually the main reason that a person would look to develop their home. Working your way up the property ladder is an achievable goal, but you need to know how to maximise the value of where you live now.
The co-op insurance conducted a study in which it found that 60 percent of homeowners had added value to their property with renovations. As well as finding that people had typically spent £18,224 and seen a £14,900 profit.
Whether you are planning on selling or just looking to add long-term value by investing in your home, this article will cover the best ways to achieve this.
Garage conversion
A well-done garage conversion can potentially add 20% value increase to your property. A lot of garages are left empty and unused meaning wasted space. Converting your garage doesn’t have to cause a headache either, if it is attached to your property then converting to a habitable room shouldn’t cause an issue. To find out more about converting your garage read here.
Kitchen Refurbishment
Kitchens are becoming the focal point of a lot of homes due to the popularity of open plan living, and a well-done kitchen refurbishment can add up to 6% value increase. When updating your kitchen, it’s essential to keep expense in proportion to the size value of your property. A clean looking kitchen is necessary both to buyers and valuation surveyors. When revamping your kitchen, there are fundamentals to consider such as shape and position. You may also decide to make structural changes, or you may relocate it. However, you can make a big difference to your kitchen by making modest changes to the fixtures and fittings. New doors and handles and other soft touches can make a massive difference to your existing kitchen as well as energy efficient appliances. Head to our kitchen page here for inspiration for your home.
Conservatory / Orangery
Extending your living space is always a good idea if you have that opportunity. A conservatory or orangery can be an excellent way to achieve this if done well. This means making sure that they are proportionate to your home and matches the style. You don’t want the build to look separate to the rest of your home. At Celsius, we always give the best advice on what’s right for your property. We can deliver bespoke designs to enhance your property. An orangery can also offer a fantastic alternative to the traditional conservatory. The additional use of brick built pillars means an orangery has a feeling of an extension at a fraction of the price. Allowing glass windows and roof to give an airy and bright feel to your home. Read more about Celsius’ Conservatory and Orangery installations here.
New Bathroom
Redeveloping or adding a new bathroom to your property is usually a good investment. A new bathroom can add 2.88% value to your home. To get the most out of a new bathroom creating an ensuite is the best option. However, you can also remodel existing space. Ideally, there should be a toilet facility on every floor that has bedrooms. Therefore, if you are converting the attic, try to include a toilet, if not a full bathroom.
Keeping the existing layout of a property can be an excellent way to keep costs down when updating your bathroom. Moving sanitaryware could mean relocating soil pipes and so forth which can become expensive. A bathroom doesn’t need an awful lot doing to increase value on your property. It can be more about the features that you put in. You can make a considerable difference with a set of new taps, a big shower head and power shower, a glass screen or door.
Extension
When deciding to extend your home, you can add a few rooms or extend existing living space. Your extension can differ from adding extra square feet to your home to make an open plan living area. You can also undertake a much more significant project like second-storey addition. An extension can potentially add up to 10% value to your property. To reach its full potential your build will need designing carefully so that the new space is integrated well with the original home.
During the planning process of any extension, you want to develop the rooms to be as big as possible, without sacrificing too much of the outdoor space. Our experienced team at Celsius can make the design stage as comfortable as possible. Read our pages here for more information. The most critical process for any extension is choosing the right people to do it. Read our comprehensive guide for selecting the right building company here to make your decision streamlined.
Loft Conversion
A safe investment for your home and one that can be carried out relatively easily requiring the layout of your home suits is a loft conversion. Converting your loft can be the easiest way to add an extra bedroom in your home and depending on the size of the space possibly an extra bathroom, which can add up to 10% value. For more information read our loft conversion page.
Replace windows
Replacing your windows with the most energy efficient and up to date windows available can be seen as essential to add value to your property, although thermal efficiency is significant, in higher valued features you will need to address the aesthetics of your windows. Look at the vast range of windows that Celsius offer here.
- Published in Building, Conservatories, Home Extensions, Home Improvements, Orangeries, Windows
Why choose a solid roof conservatory?
Just because summer is coming to an end, it doesn’t mean you have to stop using your conservatory. For many, the cold winters mean that their conservatory becomes too cold to use, but this no longer has to be the case. Solid roof conservatories mean that you can now start using your conservatory 365 days of the year. Below are our main reasons for choosing a solid roof conservatory.
Thermally efficient- A solid roof conservatory is much more thermally efficient than a glass or polycarbonate roof conservatory. A solid roof conservatory means that during the summer months, your conservatory will stay cooler and during the winter months the room will stay warmer. This means that you can use your conservatory 365 days of the year without having to increase your energy bills trying to keep your conservatory at an ideal temperature.
Creates extra living space that feels part of your home- With the vast designs of solid roofs available, you can choose a design that will match the rest of your home. The solid roof will make the conservatory feel like an extended part of your home, not as a separate addition.
Little or no maintenance required- An added bonus of solid roof conservatory is the limited amount of maintenance required to keep it clean compared to glass or polycarbonate roofs. Glass and Polycarbonate tends to hold algae and dirt quite easily and this will not be the case with a solid roof.
Noise reducing- Glass and polycarbonate roofs tend to be quite noisy, especially when its raining. A solid roof adds more insulation to your conservatory which means that you can reduce this noise significantly, creating a more relaxing atmosphere in your home whatever the weather
No need for expensive bespoke roof blinds- If privacy is what you are looking for, adding bespoke roof blinds to your conservatory can be a very expensive added cost. You can bypass this extra expenditure by adding a solid roof instead. This means that you will have much more privacy from neighbours looking into your conservatory. If you still want to have light coming into the conservatory you can opt to have velux roof windows installed into the solid roof, giving you the best of both worlds.
You can simply replace the roof- If you have a glass or polycarbonate roof conservatory in place, it is highly cost effective to replace the roof. It will make your current conservatory much more modern and new. You will have the feel of a brand new conservatory without the costs of building a brand new one.
A room you can use 360 days of the year- This is one of the main benefits in choosing a solid roof conservatory. It is much better insulated meaning you can make the most of your conservatory all year round.
- Published in Conservatories, conservatory ideas, Solid Roofs
All you need to know about conservatories
Conservatories are a fabulous extension to your home, they come in all different shapes and sizes to brighten up and add value to your home.
Conservatories are bespoke and designed just they way you like, to offer you extra practical living or dining space allowing you to enjoy the views of your garden whatever the weather. We have put together all the relevant information we think you will need to know about conservatories.
What designs are available?
One of the great things about conservatories is the variety of styles they have to offer, there are many different styles from traditional to contemporary.
- Edwardian
These conservatories are also known as Georgian conservatories.
They sit on a rectangular or square foot print to maximise available space, which has led to them being the most popular choice of conservatory over recent years.
- Victorian
A traditional, curved conservatory which compliments almost all styles of property to suit available space, but are particularity suited to older period properties.
- Gable-end
This conservatory creates an exceptional feeling of height and space adding a real sense of presence to a home. A popular choice is the sunburst gable end window as part of the design.
- Lean-to
This type of conservatory can also be referred to as a sunroom or a gardenroom, they are rectangular in shape and run along the length of your property. They are versatile in size.
- P-Shaped
A more bespoke version with a mixture of the edwardian and victorian styles. The victorian style forms the circular part of the “P”.
- T-Shaped
A bespoke conservatory made up mainly of edwardian (square) styles. It can also feature the gable-end (or gable-front) style or a the “slanted-roof” style of the edwardian.
- L-Shaped or “Corner”
A bespoke conservatory made up of edwardian (square) styles. Can be use on the rear or side of a property but also as a corner conservatory going round two sides of a property.
- Lantern
A fantastic looking conservatory with a sloping roof and a lantern feature at the apex of the conservatory.
Conservatory Roofs
There are a number of choices for your conservatory roof, here we give a brief description of each one:
- Polycarbonate Roof
A polycarbonate roof is the cheapest of the conservatory roofing systems.
Pros – Cheap, Lightweight, Let’s plenty of light into the space
Cons – Not the easiest to maintain, Can be damaged more easily than glass and solid roofs, noisy in wet conditions, not as energy efficient as glass or solid roof.
- Glass Roof
The glass roof is the most popular choice for new conservatories.
Pros – Easier to maintain than polycarbonate, Lets in the most light of any of the roofing systems, Aesthetically more appealing than polycarbonate, Great views all round
Cons – Less energy efficient than a solid roof, Noisy in wet conditions, can be hot in summer and cold in winter, more costly than polycarbonate.
- Solid Roof
This system has a number of advantages of polycarbonate and glass and can be used on both new or existing conservatories.
Pros – Most energy efficient roofing system, Very easy to maintain, Can add value to your home, Noise from rainfall is greatly reduced, Interior is improved with finish and lighting
Cons – Doesn’t let as much light in as glass (although roof windows can be fitted), Slightly more expensive than glass, Restricted views compared to glass.
- Updating an old conservatory roof
If you already have a conservatory in place, you may want to upgrade its roof to make your conservatory more thermally efficient. The older, polycarbonate roofs do not reduce noise pollution from the outside nor do they help keep your conservatory insulated, an upgrade in roof style will help keep your energy bills down whilst making your conservatory usable throughout the year.
You can choose between a solid or a glass roof, depending on the look you are wanting to achieve.
Our solid roof tiles are available in 10 different colours to help keep in line with the current colours of your home and roof. If you are wanting more light in your conservatory you can also add a window into the roof to achieve this.
What Colours are available for conservatories?
Our conservatories are available in 17 different colours, our full range of finishes are guaranteed not to crack, peel or fade. Our colour range includes; White, Cream, Silver Grey, Basalt Grey, Slate Grey, Agate Grey, Anthracite Grey, Beck Brown, Siena PN, Rosewood, Cherry, Irish Oak, Wine Red, Dark Red, Dark Green, Moss Green, Chartwell Green and Steel Blue. (See below)
Do I need planning permission for a conservatory?
Every homeowner has a permitted development right. Normally your permitted development right for a detached home would be 4m projection from rear evleation of home and full width of home, and for a semi detatched, terrace or townhouse would be 3m projection once again by full width of home. A conservatory in general is considered to be a permitted development, in other words, it doesn’t need planning permission as long as it adheres to the limits below:
- No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.
- No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
- Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres.
- Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width no more than half that of the
- original house.
- No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
There are other instances where planninng permission may be required, such as if your house is in a conservation area. The majority of reputable companies will be able to organise (on your behalf) any planning permission or building regulations that may be required for your conservatory or extension.
What’s the difference between a conservatory and an orangery?
Not sure what the differences are? Check out our article to view the main differences between a conservatory and an orangery HERE
Looking for conservatory inspiration?
Take a look below or have a look at our conservatory testimonials HERE or the conservatories in our Gallery HERE
- Published in Conservatories, conservatory ideas, Uncategorized
What’s the difference between Orangeries and Conservatories
If you are not quite sure what the differences are between a conservatory and an orangery (or, in all honesty, what an orangery actually is) you are not alone. We have gathered the key facts to ensure you are able to make the right decision for your family and home.
ORANGERIES
In the UK, Orangeries date back to the 17th century where they were the ultimate status symbol for many wealthy families, the orangeries were used for growing citrus trees in an environment where they could survive from the cold outdoors, hence the name ‘orangery’. Over time citrus fruits became easily available for people to buy, so nowadays, the are no longer used to house fruit. An orangery has become a luxurious addition to your home, frequently used to extend the kitchen, dining or living space.
Homeowners can enjoy orangeries every day of the year, the additional use of brick means your orangery has a feeling of an extension whilst the glass windows and roof give an airy and bright feel to your home.
A conservatory (especially south facing) can get a little too warm during the summer months and requires sufficient heating during the winter, this is where an Orangery gains an advantage over a conservatory. An Orangery has solid walls that allow for cavity insulation, making it easier to control the temperature all year round. Orangeries typically have less than 75% of the roof glazed as opposed to more than 75% of the roof glazed in a conservatory installation.
An orangery is seen as a luxury extension and due to the brick built pillars it tends to feel more like a permanent extension of the home. With this being the case, planning permission is quite often required to build an Orangery on your home.
There are exceptions as to whether an Orangery will require formal planning permissions. This will depend on the size and height of the planned Orangery and where the Orangery will be built i.e. on the front, side or rear of the property.
At Celsius Home Improvements we simplify the planning process for you and ensure that you can relax safe in the knowledge that any planning permission that is required will be handled by our experienced team.
CONSERVATORIES
The development of conservatories is believed to have been inspired by the orangery. Like the orangery, conservatories were originally used to house plants, the large amounts of glass ensured enough light entered the room in order for flowers to bloom.
Nowadays, there are a wide variety of conservatories to choose from which are built to provide extra living space and more light to the home.
Conservatories are built using much less brick and much more glass than orangeries, giving homeowners an uninterrupted view of the garden.
Conservatories are available in a wide range of shapes and styles and their construction is fairly straight forward, meaning they can be adapted to suit many properties. From traditional Edwardian and Victorian conservatories to P-shaped and lean-to conservatories the options are limitless giving you a great choice of styles to extend your home.
Although a conservatory will give you another room in your home it is not classed as an permanent extension and therefore building regulations will not required to build a conservatory unless you exceed 30 square meters of floor space area.
Celsius can help you make the right choice
The suitability of either an orangery or conservatory for your home is dependent upon many factors and personal requirements.
At Celsius Home Improvements, we offer a wide range of stylish conservatories and orangeries. Whichever you choose, you can ensure your home benefits from thermal performance, noise insulation, security, style and much needed extra living space.
Celsius will also make sure any building regulations or planning permission are taken care of so you will not need to worry about getting permission granted for your dream extension.
Simply call us today and receive your free no obligation quote from one of our trusted surveyors.
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- Published in Conservatories