Are orangeries cold in winter? [ Infographic ]
If you’re thinking of installing an orangery, you’re not alone. These structures are in high demand right now. With many people choosing them when they want to extend their living space in a high-end way. However, you may be wondering “Are orangeries cold in winter?” This is a concern that many people have when considering this type of home extension. Read on to find out the answer to this common question.
Do orangeries get cold in the winter months?
You might assume that orangeries get cold once winter arrives. After, temperatures can easily plunge to below freezing in December and January. Fortunately, these structures don’t get cold during the winter months. In fact, they can stay quite warm due to their thermally efficient roofs. They can remain cosy and comfortable all year round, allowing you to enjoy using them for 12 months of the year.
Why do people worry about orangeries getting cold?
The main reason that people ask “Are orangeries cold in winter?” is because they’re thinking of old-fashioned glazed rooms. These structures had a bad reputation for getting cold during the winter months. Making them unusable for half of the year. However, over the past few decades, there have been major advancements in glazing technology. There are also more superior materials available to keep the heat within these spaces. Orangeries are now just as warm as any other room in your home. Even during the coldest spells of the year.
Reasons orangeries don’t get cold in winter
There are some key reasons that orangeries don’t get cold in winter, from good insulation to thermally-efficient windows and doors. Keep reading to find out why the answer to “Are orangeries cold in winter?” is a resounding “No”.
Insulation
Insulation helps you to hold as much heat as possible inside your orangery. These structures feature dwarf walls, built-up columns and a flat roof, all of which are fully insulated to help prevent warm air from escaping. In addition to this, high-performance weather sealing can be used across the doors and windows to stop cold air from entering the space. Older orangeries tend to be colder in winter due to poorly performing sealed units in the windows or doors.
Thermally efficient windows, doors and roofs
Even though an orangery tends to feature more brick or solid wall areas than a conservatory, a large portion of it is glazed. With this in mind, it’s important that heat loss through the glazed panes is minimised as much as possible. Modern orangeries are built using thermally efficient windows and doors.
An understanding of U-values is important for this. U-values are associated with thermal efficiency and are a measure of how effective a material is as an insulator. The lower the U-value, the better a material is as a heat insulator. For example, whilst a cavity wall has a U-value of 1.6 W/m², a double glazed window pane has a U-value of 2.8 W/m². The lower the U-value of your windows and doors, the better they will perform in the winter as the glass allows less heat to escape. The same principle can be applied during the summer, with less warm air from outside able to enter the space.
Modern orangeries feature a glazed lantern which is set into the flat roof. The lantern roof not only allows a great deal of natural light to stream into the room, but they are also thermally efficient. This ensures that the panes experience minimal heat loss during the winter.
Underfloor heating
More and more orangeries in Leeds are featuring underfloor heating. Whilst you can hang radiators, sometimes this isn’t always possible due to there being such a large portion of glazing around the room. With no central heating, another heating solution is required. Underfloor heating offers a superior option since it not only warms the tiled floor but warms the whole room evenly.
Tips for keeping your orangery warm in winter
Orangeries are constructed using methods and materials that make them very thermally efficient. However, if you do experience a drop in temperature, there are a few things you can do to keep warm. These include adding a thick rug. Textures can add extra warmth to the space. You could also hide a high-quality underlay underneath it to keep your feet toastier. Other ways to keep your orangery warm include using draught excluders to seal the bottoms of the doors. Furthermore, installing blinds and drapes on the windows to keep as much warm air inside as possible.
Orangeries in Leeds
If you’re looking for a company that specialises in orangeries in Leeds, look no further than AKB Lofts. We have been designing and installing beautiful orangeries for our customers for many years, building a great reputation for our high standard of workmanship. Take a look at our recent projects and the testimonials on our website to find out what to expect when you hire us to build an orangery or any other type of home extension.
At AKB Lofts, we’ll work with you closely when designing your perfect orangery, making sure it meets your needs and tastes brilliantly. Whether you want to use the space as a lounge, dining room, office, playroom or even a home cinema, we can ensure it’s just as you envisage.
Contact us
Now you know the answer to “Are orangeries cold in winter?”, you may be looking to invest in one of these popular structures. For orangeries in Leeds, get in touch with AKB Lofts today. You can reach us by calling 0113 436 0357 or by sending us a message via our website. Our friendly team are on hand to tell you more about our orangeries and discuss your requirements with you in detail.