Although uPVC conservatories have experienced a reputational crisis over the past few decades, beautiful timber glazed extensions are still very much in style—as long as you use the right kind of timber, of course. An extension is a practical way to improve a home’s space and style without having to move. Unfortunately, homeowners are put off from the idea of a glazed extension because of the poor quality and unappealing designs of uPVC conservatories from the late 20th century. However, if it has been designed and constructed to complement the property, a timber-glazed extension like an orangery or garden room can be stunning.
We explain in this article why engineered wood is the future of glazed extensions:
Orangeries with timber glazed extensions have been around since the 16th and 17th centuries, when they were adored by society’s elite. They started out as separate buildings that were used to keep plants alive during the winter and later to grow exotic citrus plants that were brought to Britain from the Mediterranean. As a result, they represented extreme wealth.
The glazed room only really gained popularity during the Victorian era, despite its existence for roughly three centuries before that. Sunrooms were added by the aristocracy to their grand homes, and grand public conservatories like Kew Gardens’ Great Palm House and the Great Exhibition’s Crystal Palace in 1851 became famous landmarks.
There was a time of indifference toward building these structures in Britain following the Second World War. To put it mildly, adding a room to grow exotic plants or a sunroom was an extravagant addition for a bankrupt nation after the war! However, the concept was reintroduced in the 1970s by builders eager to replicate the style and trend of the past. This time, however, the structures were small enough to be added to most homes with garden space.
The numerous advantages of a glazed extension began to become apparent to homeowners
An extension is a convenient solution for those who need more space or have a growing family. Because they are glazed, they let in a lot of light. An extension can boost the value of your home and improve your quality of life if it is well-planned and built. However, an extension must be constructed from the appropriate materials in order to provide the homeowners with all of the benefits. Even though they provide more space and light, uPVC traditional wooden Conservatories may not increase your property’s value today. In fact, having one on your property can actually discourage buyers.
Mark Hayward from the National Association of Estate Agents asserts, “Conservatories will add value to a home, but they need to be made with quality materials and provide a lot of light in order for the value to be significant.” Westbury Garden Rooms only constructs garden rooms and orangeries using materials of superior quality. Engineered timber made from layers of Accoya and redwood is the best material for us. Accoya is a new kind of wood that is made by compressing and gluing laminates—thin slices—of fast-growing Radiata Pine and rotating the grain by 90 degrees for each layer.
Accoya outperforms solid hardwoods in terms of dimensional stability by up to 75% thanks to this cross-lamination. Additionally, the Accoya wood goes through acetylation, which re-plumps the cut lumber’s cells. The process makes the wood stronger and resistant to termites. Accoya is the ideal exterior layer for our timber frames due to these characteristics. The material performance of Accoya is such that it is guaranteed to last fifty years. This is especially true when Accoya is used in conjunction with Teknos, a water-based paint designed specifically for use on timber outside. An exceptional layer made by Teknos is resistant to bacteria, mold, and UV rays and serves as a shield for the exterior timber.
Every aspect of its performance outperforms uPVC
Accoya’s lifespan is significantly longer than that of a conservatory made of uPVC. Contrary to popular belief, uPVC does not degrade; rather, it deteriorates over time as a result of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. While Accoya, on the other hand, is specifically designed to withstand the elements, it does not require a great deal of maintenance to maintain its exceptional finish. A straightforward wash down twice per year is all that is required. We make this even simpler for Westbury customers by providing a care and maintenance service.
The fact that Accoya emits no CO2 throughout its lifecycle and is completely biodegradable delights our eco-conscious clients. Furthermore, the engineering used to enhance the timber’s performance is non-toxic. The same cannot be said for uPVC, whose production requires up to nine times as much energy as that of timber and will eventually end up in a landfill (or, even worse, be burned, which will release toxic fumes). Engineered woods like Accoya are well-known for being eco-friendly and functional by design, which is important in this day and age when sustainability is a major concern.
The appearance of uPVC conservatories doesn’t go well with many architectural designs, which is another reason why they haven’t held up well over time. In contrast, timber is timeless. Accoya wood has been used in projects all over the world, from Georgian orangeries to modern Scandinavian hutter (cabins). The wood is beautiful on its own, but when it is combined with the super-paint Teknos, which has a high pigment content and can produce extraordinary vibrant colors, the two materials create a truly stunning glazed extension.