The best treatment for people suffering from SAD is light therapy.   Now you can buy certain products that give off a light but noting can really substitute natural sun light.  So what can you do?  Well those that can afford can head of abroad and have a holiday but if you can’t leave home why not consider a conservatory?

A conservatory is made mainly from glass which means it lets in plenty of light.  Even on a dull winter day you will find a conservatory the brightest room in your house.  Those suffering from SAD may notice a difference if they use their conservatory more at this time of the year.

So if you suffer from SAD you should make a conservatory an essential addition to your home.

With increasing interest from both private buyers who can meet the stricter lending criteria and property investors calling the bottom of the market it is simply back to supply and demand. There are simply just not enough quality properties available for the increasing demand. The London market often thought to act as an indicator of national trends has been the best market for property sellers.  Some data suggests that the property market is currently as vibrant as the heady days of 2007.

You could look at having a loft converted but this is still quite costly possibly up to £30,000.  But there are other options which you might not had thought about.  What about a conservatory?  Conservatories come in many different shapes and designs or you could go for a full bespoke model.

You can get a traditional Victorian or Edwardian style conservatory or you could go for more less conventional shapes such as a P or T shaped conservatory.

The P shape conservatory is great for creating two living areas such as a dining room as well as a living room .  This shape conservatory is possible by blending two styles into one, the Victorian and the Tradional conservatory.  It is an ideal for creating maxium living space while maintaining a sense of proportion with your house.

The T shape conservatory is great if you like things looking symmetrical. The T shaped conservatory is a relatively large design so it is best suited on larger properties.   Properties with large gardens can benefit from having a T shaped conservatory because the bottom section of the T which extends away from the house will take up a quite a lot of the existing garden area.

With all these types of conservatories you can always choose to have a dwarf wall at the base or a complete full height glass model.  The choice is yours. Like all other types of conservatory you can choose between UPVC or Timber and you can have either  Glass or polycarbonate.  Fans,  heating and ventilation are all optional extras available.  But wait there is more.  Have you thought about an Orangery?

Many people think conservatories are a thing of the past. Because even if you spend top money on a top of the range conservatory you will still be getting a non-integral part to your property which is why many people are opting for an Orangery. 

So what’s the difference between an Orangery and a conventional conservatory?  Well an Orangery is a more formal type of conservatory. The main difference between an Orangery and a conservatory is its structure. Generally a conservatory is regarded as a temporary non-integral part of the building whereas an Orangery is a strong structure built with columns and pilasters which has a permanent presence. There is also much less glass used in an Orangery making it more in keeping with your home.  Orangeries have classical details and create a striking visual impact which is much more architecturally pleasing than a conservatory.  Obviously they are a little bit more expensive than conservatories but the money is well worth it and you will also add a lot more value to your home than you would with having a conservatory. An  Orangery allows you to expand the useable living space available in your home whilst giving it a contemporary and luxurious feel.

Orangeries create wonderful family rooms, kitchen or dining rooms.  Infact an Orangery can be turned into any room creating a really plush extension which will add much needed space and improve the overall appeal of your home as well as significantly adding value.

So if you have outgrown your home but can’t afford to move.  Why not consider a conservatory or orangery and add value to your home as well as much need space.

The T shaped conservatory is a relatively large design so it is best suited on larger properties.   Properties with large gardens can benefit from having a T shaped conservatory because the bottom section of the T which extends away from the house will take up a quite a lot of the existing garden area.

This type of conservatory is ideal for creating maxium living space while maintaining a sense of proportion with your house.

You can choose to have a dwarf wall at the base or a complete full height glass model.  The choice is yours. 

Like all other types of conservatory you can choose between UPVC or Timber and you can have either  Glass or polycarbonate.  Fans,  heating and ventilation are all optional extras available.

Conservatories are a thing of the past, everyone and their neighbour one.  They are so last year and can look so dated.  They look great when first built but after 6 months or so the UPVC starts to taint and bits fall off. Even if you spend top money on a top of the range conservatory you will still be getting a non-integral part to your property.  The way forward and the only option you should be thinking about is an Orangery. 

So what’s the difference?  An Orangery is a more formal type of conservatory. The main difference between an Orangery and a conservatory is its structure. Generally a conservatory is regarded as a temporary non-integral part of the building whereas an Orangery is a strong structure built with columns and pilasters which has a permanent presence. There is also much less glass used in an Orangery.  With its classical details, an Orangery creates a striking visual impact which is much more architecturally pleasing than a conservatory.  They are a little bit more expensive than conservatories but the money is well worth it and you will also add a lot more value to your home than you would with having a conservatory. A  Orangery allows you to expand the useable living space available in your home whilst giving it a contemporary and luxurious feel.

Orangeries date back to the 18^th century when they were the height of popularity, however they were mainly used cultivate plants like oranges and lemons, hence the name Orangeries.  These days they create wonderful family rooms, kitchen or dining rooms.  Infact an Orangery can be turned into any room creating a really plush extension which will improve the overall appeal of your home as well as significantly adding value.

Because Orangeries use a lot more bricks and timber with less glass you get a building with a much greater sense of privacy.  This is an important factor if the property is overlooked by neighbours or passing pedestrians.  Also orangeries match the character of many properties much more suitably than a conservatory. Elegance and style come as standard with Orangeries so much more so than with a plain old conservatory.

So before you go looking for a conservatory company, which won’t be hard incidentally as most towns have plenty of them, do a little research on the internet about having an Orangery.  Put the words “Orangery” into Google images and then do the same for “conservatories”.  You will be able to see the visual difference and decide if a conservatory is really what you want.  I would put money on it that you would prefer an Orangery.

Check out our Orangery Portfolio.

Read more…

Our work is covered by our insurance backed 10 year guarantee.

One of Cristal Clear’s specialities is to have the timber frames fully sprayed in any of the heritage colours; this gives a truly superior finish.  Ideally suiting most properties with stunning effect.

Operated from Bomere Heath, Cristal Clear‘s managing Director Christine Jones has a very different approach to this specialist market place.

‘It is our policy that all our customers are treated with individual care and attention and are fully informed at various key stages throughout the process.   They can speak with a human being and not machines or call centres! We specialise in only Orangeries or Conservatories and all their related trades. We are unique in that we have many female staff from the project management and office administration to Joanne one of our fully trained Installers. Joanne was the first woman installer to gain her NVQ’s in this trade across the whole country. Her attention to detail is perfect for the high controls and perfection that Cristal Clear demands.

Christine see’s all customers herself again giving individual attention to detail and over 26 years of experience in this specialist market.

Manufactured in Timber or Pvcu the whole contract is managed keeping customers fully informed at all stages.  A full colour brochure is available and more information can be found on our web site.

Cristal Clear supply and install double glazed units that conform to BS5713 and toughened glass to BS6206 as required by building regulations.

There are many types of glass and many property makes, Pilkington being just one of these.

As new glass appears we reserve the right to keep up to the latest regulations and the best available for our customers and we use various manufacturers.

(All manufacturers supply technical sheets on request)

Glass units are measured in U values, the lower the value the greater the thermal value and the lower the heat loss (better insulation).

Low E glass is a special coating which is coated on the inner pane; this coating allows the suns rays through but deflects heat back into the room from radiators or internal heat sources. Low E glass is always supplied as double glazing