What Is A Modern Glass Conservatory, Anyway?
The humble conservatory. For so many years it has been seen as something of a golden chalice – either too hot or too cold, a beautiful but fairly unusable glass box that served as a pretty home for half-neglected house plants and maybe, if the stars aligned, somewhere to sit in and read with the door open for a breeze.
But what if we told you that the modern glass conservatory has moved on from its much maligned, and sometimes ridiculed ancestors? That it is now seen as a sophisticated, year round living space akin to any other room within the home? Don’t believe us? Let us explain why modern glass conservatories are the latest and greatest addition to any home.
More than a pretty face: what really makes a glass conservatory modern?
Okay, so modern glass extensions are just big plates of glass now, right? It’s just that we have done away with the framework? Wrong. While we may be the first to speak of the virtues of minimal design and frameless glass, there is more to a modern glass extension than mere surface-level dog differences. Undeniably striking, vast expanses of glass are so much more than a sum of its parts, it is about the performance of the carefully curated space, working in unison with the latest innovations that work invisibly under the surface of the design, whatever that might look like. From unique curved glass, to seamless, frameless glass walling, to understated retro framework -perfect for 20th century homes- there is more to the modern conservatory than a style update of the old Victorian Orangery aesthetic.
The glazing innovations that changed everything
So, if a modern glass conservatory isn’t just about a style upgrade, then is it about the technology? Yes, absolutely. The secret to the modern glass conservatory lies almost entirely within the glazing. And while we are on the subject of glass, let’s take a moment to inspect it in itself. This is not the thin, brittle glass of the past. This is the remit of glazing innovations, and one that Cantifix stands at the forefront of. Today’s glazing innovations are created with the consumer in mind, creating a comfortable, easy-to-use and energy efficient addition to your current dwelling.
The most obvious modern upgrade, especially in England’s characteristically changeable weather, is triple glazing. But there are so many other less well known additions that you could consider when looking to optimise your conservatory for modern living.
Integrated thermal performance
We make use of a variety of features that can be integrated into glass conservatories, both to optimise their thermal performance, but also to make sure that the room is a comfortable place to be in, regardless of the weather. Low-E glass minimises heat transfer, while solar control glass (such as our Solstice Glass, which was created on the back of Oxford University led research) intelligently manages sunlight, filters UV rays and prevents overheating and glare. These advanced glazing technologies can be complemented by thermally broken frames, which create an insulating barrier that prevents energy loss.
Security and safety features
As with any glass structure that sits at ground level, security is always a concern. Modern conservatories can be made from specially toughened glass, that is near on impossible to break. When combined with integrated locking & alarm systems, there is no reason not to have complete peace of mind that your home and family are entirely safe. There are also safety glass, blastproof glazing and fire standard glass that can be added in where necessary.
Easy to use features
There are also several features that can be incorporated to enhance the comfort and functionality for the average user. Trickle vents provide continuous background ventilation to improve air quality and prevent condensation, while motorised openings in rooflights allow for effortless control of windows and roof vents at the touch of a button, something which is necessary when they sit a long way above the room. There are also options for self-cleaning glass coatings, which is mainly aqua-phobic, and makes use of sunlight and rain to break down and wash away dirt. Finally, innovative switchable glass can offer privacy or shade on demand, changing from transparent to opaque with an electrical current.
Aesthetic considerations:
But it is not all about making the room comfortable or easy to use. Sometimes it really is about making an eye catching, stylish addition to your home, and there are plenty of innovations for that too:
Low iron glass: if crystal clear glass is a necessity, such as with an outstanding view that you want to make the most of, then frameless, low iron glass is an absolute must.
Minimal framing or frameless glass: If you want a conservatory that blends into the background, or all but disappears, then minimalist framework is an ideal solution. SkyFrame excel at this, with their high performance glass doors and integrated systems, they are the epitome of hard working tech that looks effortless.
UV glass corners: And finally, if you want ultimate glazing luxury that affords you the very best views and striking elegance, then the UV corner is the only answer. Also known as the invisible corner, this is a corner where two panes of glass meet, that is structurally bonded using an adhesive rather than a frame, making it essentially disappear from sight.
So, is it these innovations, from the glass itself to the accompanying hardware, that truly define a modern conservatory? We think that might only be half of the story.
Glass rooms for comfort: a new way of living
To understand what makes a truly successful modern glass extension, is to understand the way that they can impact the lives of those enjoying them. It is not about merely adding living space to your home, or creating a stylish connection between your kitchen and garden. Here, beneath a high ceiling of glass, you can find a quiet refuge from the everyday fast-paced and noisy world. A place where you can witness the passing of the seasons, under the life giving light of the sun, without a worry about the UV rays, or the whistle of the wind or how much the heating bill might cost to use the space in winter.
Yet these rooms can be used for so much more. For busy families that might look like a home office for the hybrid worker, or a playroom for younger children, a tranquil space to work out, or a space for entertaining, which merges seamlessly with a patio area mere steps away. The true meaning of a modern glass conservatory is this; the blending of aesthetics with usability, technology with what is already there, to create something new and uniquely matched to the family who will be using it, transforming an idea of extra space into a beautiful new room in their home.
Sustainability and the modern glass conservatory
It is impossible to discuss any home based renovation or extension work nowadays without the subject of sustainability, and rightly so. It is more important than ever for homes to be energy efficient, and unfortunately glass has usually been the weakest link in this. Recent changes to the UK building regulations (especially Part L) have placed an ever increasing focus on thermal performance and energy usage. For some, this can simply be addressed by having fewer windows and thicker walls, but who wants to live a life with minimal natural light?
Some conservatories may be exempt from these regulations, but to abide by the criteria to do so, would mean to condemn your room to be set apart from the house, and continue to be cold and drafty, unheated and unusable, much as the conservatories of the past.
To have a fully functioning modern glass conservatory that meets the standards takes planning and ingenuity. And high quality glazing is absolutely essential. Cantifix’s advanced double or triple glazing, combined with thermally broken frames, ensures minimal heat loss in winter and prevents unwanted solar gain in summer. A truly modern conservatory must also tackle the issue of overheating, as highlighted in Part O of the regulations. This means a focus on features like solar control coatings and the ability to open up large expanses of glass, which provide essential ventilation. This means you can keep your heating bills down and reduce your carbon footprint, all while staying comfortably warm (or cool!). A modern conservatory built to these high standards is a genuinely sustainable addition to your home.
Cantifix’s glazing innovations in action
Here at Cantifix, we know glass. And we have had a front row seat for all that the architects, property developers and homeowners want to build over the years. And that is very much a modern glass conservatory. Not the ones of yesteryear, which were a beautiful idea, perhaps, but a deeply flawed one, forever at the mercy of the elements. No, to walk into a modern conservatory is to step into a different kind of space entirely. It is not an afterthought or a glass box design of a bygone era. It is, instead, a meticulous study in light, form, and quiet permanence, and unequivocally a testament to how a profound understanding of materials can elevate the commonplace to the exceptional.
Are you looking to add a modern glass conservation to your project? Get in touch and one of our experts can help you create exactly the right glass solution for your home, innovative technology, stylistic choices and your families need all considered equally.
