Blinds provide one solution, but then you lose the light, one of the main reasons people choose a conservatory over an extension with a closed roof. The most effective solution is air conditioning. This has become much more affordable in recent years and modern air-conditioning units now provide the added benefit of a heating supply in the winter.

Portable or Fixed?
There are essentially two ways to install air conditioning in your conservatory: portable or fixed. If you choose the portable option, not only is this very affordable with prices starting from £230 for smaller units, but it also does not require an external unit and the necessary holes to be drilled through to it from the internal unit. Instead, ducting simply takes the warm air outside from the unit through a window or open door.

Fixed systems do require both an internal and external unit, and careful consideration should be given to the location of both units before installation. The external unit will generate heat and noise, and it can spoil your barbecue if it is located right next to your seating area outside. The internal unit will blow cold air (as you would want) but again this can be uncomfortable if it is directed straight at the back of your neck.

Fixed air-conditioning systems are best fitted when you actually build the conservatory, and a reputable conservatory firm will be able to advise you on specifically where you should best place both the internal and external units as part of your overall design. This is important because fixed systems require a hole through to the outside for the ducting, as well as an electrical supply. The internal unit can be placed high on the wall and a remote control used to operate all functions. It is worth noting that you will want to familiarise yourself with the function for changing the vertical direction of the air. Because in the summer the cold air is best directed upwards as it will drop, whereas in the winter the warm air is best directed downwards where it will rise. Having warm air directed at the seating area is not so unwelcome in the winter, whereas the cold air would be in the summer.

Thermostats and Dehumidification
A real advantage of air conditioners is that they are thermostatically controlled, including most portable units and all fixed units. This means you can find your preferred temperature and keep the conservatory at that point, both when cooling and when heating. In a conservatory setting this is likely to be more accurate than a central heating thermostat as it is a single, isolated space. Another bonus of an air-conditioning unit is that it will remove moisture from the air inside your conservatory. This is often what causes the discomfort on hot days. A dry heat, such as that in a desert location like Las Vegas, is much more bearable than a wet, humid heat such as that of New York City in the summer. If you have experienced these very different kinds of heat, you will immediately see the potential benefit of a system that reduces the humidity of a room. When we do enjoy a hot British summer, it is often accompanied by heavy humidity.

How Many Kilowatts?
The key factor in choosing an air conditioner is how much power you need, that is how many kilowatts (KW) can the unit generate to cool your room. What you will need depends on the size of your conservatory (height as well as width and length) and which way it faces (north or south). It also depends on whether you intend to cool/heat just the conservatory or the adjoining room too. When calculating what you need, you should be aware that this is only applicable if that space is closed (doors and windows) otherwise the unit will attempt to heat/cool the space until it reaches a closed door or window. You wouldn’t want to leave your windows open and let it attempt to cool the entire garden.

A good conservatory designer will quickly be able to tell you what you will need, and can advise on the heating aspect too. But as a rough guide: smaller, north-facing conservatories measuring 4 metres by 3 will only need a 2.5 KW unit; whereas larger conservatories or those that face southwards, will need 3.5 KW or even 5KW. The higher the kilowatts the higher the price for the unit.

Heat Pumps
If you are intending to use the air conditioner as a heater in the winter then you should consider what kind of heat pump it employs. Many air-conditioning systems will cope with heating a room if the outside temperature is above zero degrees Celsius, but once it drops below that they will become erratic and eventually shut down at very low temperatures. By paying a little extra, you can purchase a system fitted with technology that will be able to cope with sub-zero temperatures. In recent years this has become more relevant in the UK, with winters that saw thermometers regularly drop below zero. Again, a reputable conservatory firm will be able to give you advice specific to your needs.

Breckenridge offers the most comprehensive choice of hardwood conservatories, contemporary extensions and orangeries in a choice of materials as well as a range of pool enclosures, summer houses and windows & doors.

The Direction of Sunlight
When designing your conservatory or orangery it is useful to consider the direction of sunlight around your home. The glass of a conservatory will benefit from the sunlight in the winter, but this can make the space unbearable in the summer.

We all know the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Many people also know that a south facing window in the UK will enjoy the most sunlight. However, a conservatory facing south will likely be very hot in the summer. Facing south-west is good for your plants, but will be hot as it has the warmest sunlight longest. South-east facing will offer morning sunshine and some in the afternoon, even in the winter, and not be so hot as if it was facing directly south. Northern light is favoured by those who enjoy painting, and a room facing north-west will enjoy evening sun, but will not have sun shining on it all day.

Few of us, though, can turn our home around to favour the best light, although if you have plenty of room around your home, then you will have the opportunity to choose where to extend it and what direction it will face. Here, sunlight may be the most important factor.

For most of us the choice of where to place a conservatory is confined to the rear of the home, (which does have the benefit of simplifying planning permission). Yet even here there can be a choice of extending one end of the rear side or the other – the dining room or the living-room end perhaps. The small change from south-west to south-east, or north-east to north-west can make the difference in the length of time the sunlight reaches a room.

Wraparound Conservatories
A very interesting option for capturing light from different directions is the wraparound conservatory, where the new building wraps around one corner of your home – like an ‘L’ shape. Here, even if the conservatory only extends one metre around a corner you will have light from an opposing direction, which for example can brighten a north facing room in the morning.

Moving the Function of a Space
It is also worth considering changing the use of an existing space to fit with the best position for the conservatory. For example, changing the dining room to a living room, because the new space will, by definition, extend that end of the home and make it a larger space now suitable for a living room.

Moving the function of a space is possible if you are prepared to make the necessary changes. A reputable conservatory builder will be able to include additional work in your design and quote, and it is best to keep an open mind in this case. Even moving the fireplace is possible. Whilst a chimney may have to stay where it is, the fireplace can be removed and a new one added to the conservatory or orangery design. Contemporary electric fireplaces are increasingly fashionable, affordable and offer great flexibility – the same is true for modern wood burners. If the fireplace is at the side of the house where you want to extend then there is the possibility to create a dual-sided fireplace, where the chimney remains, but now reaches up from a fire in between the old and new rooms.
This is not just a consideration of light, but also heat. Glass loses heat far more than brick and stone, having heating inside your conservatory is vital if you want to enjoy it in the winter.

Right to Light
Finally, it is also important to consider your neighbours’ ‘Right to light’. Legal disputes can arise where extensions are built with no planning permission, because for many extensions permission is not required now. But if the resulting build blocks a neighbour’s access to natural light they can take you to court. This right to light is protected under the law and a reputable conservatory builder will be able to advise you on this and all other matters relating to planning permission as well as the Party Wall Act.

Breckenridge offers the most comprehensive choice of conservatory, contemporary extensions and contemporary conservatories in a choice of materials as well as a range of pool enclosures, summer houses and windows & doors.

The Practical
There are many types of blinds and it is a good idea to take advantage of the professional advice available when having your conservatory designed and constructed. A good designer or builder will be able to tell you which blinds are suitable for a specific design and its practical benefits.

In general, the most obvious benefit is to reduce the strength of the sunshine in your conservatory. Whilst this might be very welcome in the winter it can also do costly damage: furniture can be affected by ultra violet rays and colours can rapidly fade in fabrics. Flowers, too, can suffer from intense sunlight. There is also the consideration of heat loss through the glass in winter, which can be limited by the use of blinds (by around 15%) and then in the summer a cooling shade is vital when the sun is amplified through the glass (reducing the heat by up to 50%).

Pleated blinds offer a choice in how much sunlight you want in the conservatory, as they are available in varying degrees of translucence. But like Venetian blinds they can attract dirt and react badly to wind. Cellular blinds, also known as honeycomb blinds, reduce heat loss by trapping air in the cells that form each slat of the blind. Vertical blinds are practical and also offer a choice of translucence, but they can be impractical in the summer when you need to open windows and doors inwards. They don’t, though, so easily collect dirt and or react quite so badly to wind.

Electric or Manual: There is also the choice of operation. Many forms of blinds can now be operated both by hand and an electric system. Automation is more than just an extravagance, it can be a tool of independence for the elderly and those with disabilities, as well as a security tool for those who spend long periods away from home (making the home appear occupied). Blinds can be set to operate at specific times or can be triggered by light sensors, activated when the sun sets and rises. Remote control is another option and solar power can be harnessed to save on energy costs too.

The Decorative
Blinds can enhance the decor of a conservatory as well as – it is worth noting – spoiling it. Colours can be used to match or contrast the fabrics, wood or tiles, and different materials can be used to complement or contrast those used in the build (wood with wood, and so on). The ‘period’ of a house should also be considered, as if the conservatory has a Victorian feel to fit in with the home, then certain blinds such as those invented in the Victorian era, ‘Pinoleum’, would be an option. These are wood woven together to give a natural sense of shade and are currently very popular for conservatories. ‘Velux’ blinds, in contrast, offer a thoroughly modern look and are extremely practical, if also relatively costly. Velux blinds can be pleated, venetian or in roller format.

When you think of a conservatory you think of glass, heat and light, your next thought should be how to capture, enhance and control that heat and light.

Breckenridge offers the most comprehensive choice of hardwood conservatories, contemporary extensions and orangeries in a choice of materials as well as a range of pool enclosures, summer houses and windows & doors.

In 2008 the rules around the building of extensions to private homes were relaxed, mainly because planning departments around the country were overwhelmed by the huge increase in the number of people building extensions and conservatories.

This is good news if you’re thinking about having a conservatory built. It means that if you keep within the government’s quite reasonable limits on your conservatory build it will not need planning permission (see link below).

Building Regulations
Even though planning may not be required, however, building regulations must still be considered. These are the rules that the government has set out to protect people from incompetent and dangerous building work.

It is essential that any firm you employ to build your conservatory understand and adhere to building regulations. It protects you, the homeowner, in three ways:
1) health and safety of the new building
– it will not damage you, your family or your home;
2) the validity of an insurance claim if there were to be damage to the conservatory
– if building regulations were not followed this would complicate and even nullify any insurance claims;
3) the value and legitimacy of any future sale of the home
– if you plan to sell your home at any time in the future you will need to provide evidence that any structural changes you have made to your home met building regulations at that time.

A reputable firm will have the experience and skills necessary to meet all building regulations, but it is good to know that if your conservatory has a floor area of no more than 30 square metres then it will make life much easier all round. It should also be separated from the main home by proper, exterior walls, windows and doors, and there must be no change to the entrance ‘out’ into the conservatory, otherwise this will definitely require building regulations approval.

Beware of cowboy builders who make no mention of building regulations or building control. After they have packed up and gone it is you that will face the cost of making right the build and this could cost more than employing a more expensive firm in the first place.

Building Control is the arm of the law as far as building regulations are concerned. It is administered by the local authority where the conservatory is to be built. Your local authority web site will have information on this, but a reputable conservatory building firm should be able to explain building regulations and give you an estimate on this part of the building costs at the very outset. Firms that specialise in conservatory builds will already have an established relationship with the relevant local authority personnel and be fully aware of what is permitted and what requires building control.

Party Wall Act
There is also the matter of your neighbours. Even if you do not need planning permission, if your new conservatory affects a wall you share with a neighbour or if the foundations will be dug-out close to your boundary with them, then you must adhere to the requirements of the 1996 Party Wall Act. Essentially, this means that you must give your neighbours (at the sides as well as rear of your home) advance, written notice of your planned work. Again, a reputable firm will be aware of the regulations from their first discussion of the location of the build, and it would be better if one firm carried out both the excavations and the build itself for this reason (and others set out above).

In cases where you do need to obtain your neighbours’ consent, the best thing to do here is to put yourself in their shoes (or foundations). How would you prefer to hear about building work? Over a cup of tea with some rough plans that are open to change, or via a formal letter with plans (ready to be literally) set in stone. As with so many things, common sense is the order of the day, and that old saying comes to mind: treat your neighbour as yourself.

For a summary of limits and conditions for avoiding the need for planning permission in building a conservatory visit the government’s planning website:

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/conservatories

Breckenridge offers the most comprehensive choice of conservatory, contemporary extensions and contemporary conservatories in a choice of materials as well as a range of pool enclosures, summer houses and windows & doors.

Once you have narrowed down your choice of conservatory company, it’s worth researching how long they have been in business and what sort of geographic areas they serve. Also, contact them first to ascertain the levels of support, their product knowledge and what they actually will be doing for you, don’t forget to ask about any planning concerns you have and how they would go about assisting you.

• Company experience
Selecting the conservatory company you wish to work with may come down to a number of criteria, some more factual and others more emotional. However, there is no substitute for knowledge and experience and a reputable company will have a strong portfolio and wide range of customers able to give positive testimonials.

• Consider the choice
Whilst you may have a very good idea of what you want, it’s always a good idea to be open-minded and to let the company develop your thoughts and evolve them accordingly, this way you benefit from their experience. Also consider choice of materials, as this can greatly affect your budget, therefore it’s worth contacting companies that can offer you the choice of materials, as surprisingly most companies tend to only offer one sort of material.

• Consider your budget
Often the price can put people off embarking on a conservatory project. Some companies will offer a bespoke start to finish installation and others will provide only the installation of the structure leaving the customer to source their own builders. Since there is such variation between companies, it’s always best to come to the table with a firm budget and a fairly good idea of what you want. Don’t worry too much if your idea changes, after all the design consultation may throw up things that you have not thought about, but let the budget dictate how you amend your initial ideas.

• Consider the after sales service
A conservatory or orangery will always be a valuable addition to your home. You and your family can experience the unique atmosphere of openness and enjoy the beauty of sitting in natural light. However, it should not only be about how you use your new building, you should also be confident that your new conservatory or orangery will have been built to the highest standards, providing you with a quality and elegance that will last for many years to come.

Finally, your conservatory company should provide you with guarantees; look for companies that are members of an Ombudsman scheme, such as the DGCOS. This should provide you with further peace of mind and ensure that your conservatory has been built to the correct industry specifications.

Breckenridge offers the most comprehensive choice of conservatory, contemporary extensions and contemporary conservatories in a choice of materials as well as a range of pool enclosures, summer houses and windows & doors.

However, the concept of a veranda providing shelter from the elements still rings true today and that feeling of extending into the garden rather than extending the house is a huge benefit, not only in cost, but also in planning and building. Most verandas projects will not require planning permission; of course there will always be the exceptions, in particular, when building a veranda onto a Grade II listed building. Your chosen company will be able to advise you at an early stage of the design process whether or not planning is required. Most modern veranda designs provide a larger undercover area to cater for seating or dining areas to fully maximise the potential use of the veranda. They also tend to form part of the garden rather than an extension of the house, therefore the positioning of the veranda is usually determined by aesthetics rather than the position of the sun in relation to your house. Modern design materials and components allow for a wide choice of styles. The use of glass for the veranda roofs is now commonplace, especially as there now are a wide selection of different types of glazing that can be used. Your veranda company will be able to advice you on the range of materials and components that can be used.

Cost will always be a significant factor when considering a veranda. Whilst the cost of building a quality conservatory or orangery can be prohibitive, the cost of your veranda will be much less, so much so that it’s not uncommon for verandas to be designed and integrated with a new conservatory or orangery build to maximise the external space.

Another benefit of a veranda installation is the short amount of time required to build one, especially if no planning permission is required, if this is the case then most veranda projects from start to finish can take as little time as a month. This is especially short when considering that a conservatory or orangery can take up to six to nine months, depending on planning consent, size and complexity of the project. Of course the advantage of this combined with their relatively low cost means that the decision to have one is made more quickly!

Breckenridge Verandas guides you through the choice of veranda design as well as offering a choice of components to accessorise your bespoke veranda. Contemporary & classic designs with a construction service that’s guaranteed. For beautifully designed verandas, visit Breckenridge Verandahs.

The article however, only aims to provide you with what you should expect from a quality supplier of conservatories and orangeries.

Firstly a ‘free’ design consultation will be exactly that, with absolutely no obligation for you to sign-up to that particular conservatory company. The consultation should last about an hour and will be conducted at a time and place to suit you, normally at your home, and unlike double glazing sales tactics, there should be no pressure to have your partner present at this consultation. Once your sales representative has arrived, on time, they will look to spend about an hour to an hour and a half with you, depending on the complexity of the conservatory or orangery project.

Within the time frame they will question you about your reasons for choosing a particular structure such as a conservatory and depending on your response they will work towards this solution, however there may be a case that your needs are better suited by building something slightly different, for example an orangery or garden room. Once your requirement has been agreed, your salesperson will want to establish the type of material for your build, e.g. Hardwood, Aluminium, or PVCu, however not all companies are able to offer you a choice of materials, so it may well be worth ensuring that the company you choose to see is able to offer a choice of materials rather than just one.

The choice of material is very important as the type of material you opt for will have a large effect on your budget. Clearly budget will be a significant part of the design consultation, it’s also worth ensuring that the company you are seeing are able to offer all the services you may require, it’s not uncommon for certain companies not to offer building works, they simply will design and install your structure, requiring you to sort out the necessary building works with a different contractor, whilst this can be successful, if a dispute arises, one party may blame the other and vice versa. Again, it may well be worth using a company that is able to provide a turnkey solution.

Once the budget, material and nature of build has been ascertained by your salesperson, the next stage should be about the design and aesthetics’ of your conservatory or orangery. Clearly this is always going to be subjective and any good salesperson will work with you to understand your sensibilities, thus ensuring that they are able to leave the consultation with a very good brief of your requirements.

Once all aspects have been discussed, the next stage will be the second meeting. Here a rendering of the proposal will be presented to you at no cost, some companies will wish to charge you for this rendering in advance, this clearly is not an option worth considering. Along with the render you should receive a full breakdown of costs, timelines and of course guarantees. And at this meeting a good salesperson will make their required sales pitch and leave you to consider their proposal in a time period that you are comfortable with. Don’t be surprised to receive follow-up calls from the salesperson, after all, by now they have produced a significant amount of work and will be hungry for your business, after all it hasn’t cost you a penny yet!

Breckenridge offers the most comprehensive choice of conservatory, contemporary extensions and wooden conservatories in a choice of materials as well as a range of pool enclosures, summer houses and windows & doors.

Conservatories offer many benefits to the home owner, such as additional space that allows natural light to enter inside the home – reducing electricity bills by increasing thermal efficiency and reducing the fuel consumption required to keep a home warm, which adds value, attracts buyers and makes the house more attractive to potential buyers. A conservatory can serve as an additional room and function as either a living room, dining room, library, music room, or kitchen.

Conservatory types
From traditional to modern, there are different design styles of conservatories. Some of the most common styles of conservatories include some traditional conservatories such as the Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian conservatories. However, recently there has become a noticeable trend to move more towards modern designs and modern orangeries.

Traditional conservatories
We can see many old houses with traditional conservatories usually made from PVC or hardwood. Traditional conservatories include Edwardian, Victorian and Georgian type of conservatories.

The Victorian type is popular among the traditional conservatories because of its elegant look and unique shape. This style includes a bay front and a steeply pitched roof. Today, modern materials such as PVCu and aluminium are also used to build Victorian conservatories.

The Georgian type of conservatory features a flat front and looks more like a simple square box. This makes them convenient enough to lay out furniture as they provide wider interior design options.

The name Edwardian conservatory style refers to the Edwardian architectural period, named after the English King Edward VII. They are mostly square or rectangular in shape. The major characteristic of these conservatories is that they allow free flow of light and air inside the conservatory, with more subdued lines and embellishment.

With the advancement in modern building techniques, people are moving away from traditional conservatory designs to more contemporary ones.

Contemporary conservatory
Though the traditional types of conservatories are classic and have their own benefits, they may not be suitable for modern homes or may not suit everyone’s taste. As a solution for this, modern conservatories have replaced traditional conservatories.

Modern conservatories are unique as they are bespoke and can be tailored as per the taste and needs of the home owner. Another major benefit for modern conservatories is that they can be designed where space is a premium. Aluminum is considered one of the best building materials for modern conservatories, hardwood is also commonly used.

Orangery
An orangery has a flat roof area with one or more roof lanterns set within it. Compared to a similar size conservatory, an orangery will have a lesser area of glass, and thus offers more privacy. Orangeries are usually made of hardwood or masonry.

Conservatory shapes
These differ greatly, however, the shape of any conservatory is always based on the existing structure that it will relate to.

Lean-to
Lean-to style conservatories are one of the smallest and basic types of conservatories. A lean-to conservatory is cheaper to build and great when making the best use of limited space. They are perfect for bungalows where the height of the conservatory is restricted by the height of the building.

Gable ended
Gable ended conservatories are more suitable for old properties rather than modern houses, due to their traditional designs. They are more similar to Edwardian styled conservatories in square or rectangular shape. The notable feature of Gable conservatory is its roof, where it meets the ridge of the roof in shape of a triangle instead of a sloping front section.

Double hipped
Double hipped conservatories are with double hipped roofs and will accommodate any height restrictions. The roof is pitched in style where the roof slopes meet at a central ridge height from its sides. Based on the style of the roof, they are categorised as Edwardian or Victorian.

P Shapes
The floor plan of the P shaped conservatory is divided into – a vertical line with a lean-to design structure and an attached semi-circle with a Victorian or Edwardian design in harmony with the lean-to part of the conservatory. This shape is ideal for large and detached properties.

Depending upon personal preference and the style of the house, one can choose the conservatory that best suits the home. However, the materials used for the construction of conservatory also play an important role in providing looks, comforts and durability. So, it’s always better to use the help of a professional company, which can offer unlimited choice of styles and materials along with a complete service, from design, planning and installation to the finishing touches.

Breckenridge offers the most comprehensive choice of conservatory, contemporary extensions and contemporary conservatories in a choice of materials as well as a range of pool enclosures, summer houses and windows & doors.

Hardwood orangeries are made from a wide range of timbers. The most used today are oak, mahogany, idigbo, meranti, sapele, utile and iroko. Surprisingly, some hardwoods are not a suitable material for conservatories, for example beech, although this is a very good wood internally, it is not durable enough to be used externally.

Orangery hardwoods are specially selected for their combination of properties such as durability, structural properties and ease of use. It’s worth looking at each of the properties in isolation, the first being durability. The nature of hardwood is such that it has inherent strength and this strength provides natural durability that is further enhanced when treated with paints or stains, once treated the hardwood orangery may not need re-painting for 10 years, although the position of the orangery in relation to the elements may alter this timespan. Some hardwoods, for example teak, contain a certain amount of natural oil. These timbers can be left ‘naked’ and completely exposed to the elements and because of their resin content they are extremely durable and will last for many years. Some orangery manufacturers only use seasoned oak, as it is renowned for its longevity and is one of the most hard wearing materials in hardwood orangery production and will last for many years. This timber needs to be air dried to the right moisture content and once dry it is laminated to provide additional strength.

The structural properties of hardwood allow orangery designers a virtual free reign to construct almost any design of orangery due to the strength of the material, combined with its workability, must orangeries are constructed using state of the art routers that can now accommodate intercut designs, so that each orangery can be as unique as the house it sits with. Hardwood orangeries generally use mortise and tendon joints for the window frames and doors, whilst roof rafters are bird mouthed over the outer pan rail. Finger jointing is undertaken for longer elements as and where necessary. Frames are strengthened further with joining beads.

Hardwood still to this day retains a certain cache and as such, to a lot of people, it is the pinnacle and ultimate in orangery design and build. Its only perceived downside is cost, as of all the materials, hardwood tends to be the most expensive especially when compared to plastic. But as with all things, for those who choose this option it is most definitely a price worth paying for and one that will give pleasure for decades to come.

Breckenridge offers the most comprehensive choice of hardwood conservatories, contemporary extensions and orangeries in a choice of materials as well as a range of pool enclosures, summer houses and windows & doors.

The same can also be said architecturally. Verandas appeared in colonial India where the Victorian filigree architectural style was quite common. This was also exported to Australia and New Zealand where it was particularly adopted by hotels and commercial buildings, particularly at the front of the building. In North America, Creole townhouses in New Orleans were also known for their use of verandas. Indeed in the US as a whole, verandas have become quite common although they are more commonly referred to as terraced porches.

So what is a veranda and what isn’t?
As with the example above, some of the terms used to describe a veranda are interchangeable. What is interesting is that these terms are quite specific and refer to quite different things. A porch for example, is often a smaller building that just covers the area around the front door. Whereas a veranda is an open but covered construction, porches can either be walled or open. In colder climates many of them are just like a mini-extension protecting a main door way.

Pergola’s are very similar as well, they are like verandas in that they are open sided and covered, pergolas are mainly a garden feature and not attached to the main property. They are more permanent constructions than green tunnels or trellis’ but are often made of materials fitting a garden than the main building. So wood is used much more than brick or stone, especially with modern pergolas. In addition, they are often covered with flowers or foliage to integrate then within the feel of the garden. Clearly, verandas are usually built of more robust materials as they are permanently attached to the main building.

In plain English terms, think of a veranda as a conservatory without walls, while a pergola is a shaded walk or passageway in your garden.

The gazebo brings us a similar dilemma. Although there are many temporary gazebos on the market that more resemble a tent than anything else, built gazebos are very popular. Like a pergola they are mainly a garden feature, but unlike a pergola, they are not build as a walkway. So often a gazebo is like a summer house but again, without walls.

Verandas becoming popular
Verandas ultimately give you a covered area next to your house so you can enjoy the garden without worrying too much about the weather. As people enjoy their leisure time in the garden or with alfresco dining, verandas, like conservatories, are becoming increasingly popular.

Breckenridge Verandas uk guides you through the choice of veranda design as well as offering a choice of components to accessorise your bespoke veranda. Contemporary & classic designs with a construction service that’s guaranteed. For beautifully designed verandas, visit Breckenridge Verandas.