subject: Installing Energy-efficient Glass In Your Conservatory [print this page] Deciding to have a conservatory installed on your property is a big decision. It takes planning (sometimes planning permission, too) and, while it's not a huge financial undertaking, you do spend probably about as much as you would on a family car. So decisions aren't to be taken lightly.
The result will be a quiet, peaceful environment that brings the garden into your home and offers plenty of extra living space for working or relaxing.
You'll especially notice the benefits in the summer. With the sun heating the glass, your conservatory bathes in a warm glow of sunshine. It feels like heaven. In the winter, though, it can be a different story. You can keep that lovely warm feeling but it might come at a cost in the shape of steep energy bills.
So why is this? Well, the air outside is colder, obviously. However, the type of glass you have fitted might not be helping, either. Warmth can easily find a way out through the glass. That's why you should think about making your conservatory more energy-efficient. One of the main ways to do that is to install energy-efficient glass in your conservatory.
Installing energy-efficient glass in your conservatory helps conserve energy and keep your conservatory warm all year round. This is achieved with energy efficient (low-e) glass. It's a type of glass that reflects heat, with its thin metallic coat. In appearance, it's slightly grey or brown. It allows the energy from the sun to pass into the conservatory from the outside and at the same time cuts down on lost heat from the inside. The heat-reflective glass is highly effective, but more so when teamed with double or even triple glazing.
When installing energy-efficient glass in your conservatory, you'll need to know about the types of glass available. Soft-coat glass can be damaged by moisture. This means it's best deployed on the inside of your windows.
Hard-coat or pyrolytic glass doesn't have to be sealed into your double glazing, but it's not as effective at keeping temperatures down in summer.
The other benefit of installing energy-efficient glass in your conservatory is that you can cut down on glare on sunny days, and yet boost the amount of light in overcast weather.
Ultimately, installing energy-efficient glass in your conservatory will not only allow you to enjoy the four seasons in a quiet, peaceful place, but also allow you to maintain your conservatory at a nice temperature without breaking the bank. Which, in these tough economic times, should bring a smile to the faces of Britain's conservatory owners.
