What material Can be Used?

What material?

Conservatories can be made of uPVC, aluminium or hardwood.
uPVC
Perhaps the most common material, uPVC is a thermoplastic which can be moulded into shape when heated and then becomes rigid when cooled. It can be strengthened with aluminium for roofs, conservatory frames or doors and, provided it is a good quality, will not discolour. Traditionally it came only in a white finish but nowadays wood grain effects are popular, often mahogany or golden oak. It has the advantage of being low in maintenance, long-lasting and the cheapest of the three options.
Aluminium
This comes in strong slim sections meaning that you are able to have more glass in your conservatory. This may be the best material for conservatories which do not have a brick wall beneath the windows. It is, however, more expensive than uPVC and not as well insulated.
Hardwood
Such conservatories were very popular in the Victorian and Edwardian eras and ideal for a more traditional feel. The wood generally comes from sustainable sources in Europe and Africa, perhaps the most popular being mahogany and oak. This is the most expensive option and, although hardwood requires more maintenance than uPVC or aluminium, modern varnishes reduce the work required.
For the roof, you have the choice of glass or polycarbonate. Glass, being heavy is not always suitable depending on the design of your conservatory, but, if you have the money available, the best for controlling heat and condensation is Pilkington K glass. Polycarbonate is lighter and cheaper but can be very noisy in the rain.

Heating and ventilation

If you want to be able to use your conservatory all year round, heating is an important element to consider, particularly if it is north or east facing. Some people choose to extend their central heating system to cover their new conservatory, whilst others prefer the idea of free-standing heaters. If you opt to have central heating, be sure to find a good plumber. It is important not to put too much strain on your boiler. It is of course cheaper to buy a couple of small, compact, portable electric heaters which have the added advantage of being quick to heat the room and can be put away in the summer.
As far as ventilation is concerned, roof vents are the easiest option. These can be opened manually or alternatively you might like to splash out on electric ones which open automatically at a set temperature and close if it starts to rain. Roof fans are also worth considering and can add an attractive tropical feel to the room.

Blinds

Conservatory blinds help to keep the room cool, give privacy if you are overlooked and plan on using your conservatory on dark evenings, and help to reduce fading from the sun's glare (important for furniture and fabrics). Blinds can be fitted to both the roof and windows and come in a variety of materials and designs.
If you prefer a traditional and elegant look you should investigate French pinoleum blinds which are made from thin strips of hardwood woven together.
There are also fabrics such as Solar R which reflect up to 85% of the sun's energy. Window blinds can be roller or pleated and, no matter what shape your roof is, blinds can be made to measure. If money is no object you can buy blinds which are operated by remote control. If on the other hand you are on a tight budget (and handy with the needle), you might like to try a DIY approach using muslin or voile for drapes.

Flooring

Your choice of flooring will depend to a great extent on what you are using your conservatory for. If you want an outdoors feel, then tiles or wooden flooring will probably suit you best. Up until recently, wooden flooring was not considered suitable for conservatories because of the problem of twisting and warping due to the high temperatures. Solid hardwood and laminates are still unviable but, with the introduction of engineered hardwood flooring, a solution is now available. It comes in the traditional woods such as oak, cherry, beech, maple, ash, teak and mahogany as well as the lesser known aloma, merbau and iroko.
If on the other hand you are using your conservatory as a dining room for instance and want it to feel a proper part of the house, then carpet may be a better bet.

Furniture

Furnishing a conservatory depends greatly on the function of the room and personal taste but be aware that the sun's rays have great potential to damage fabric. That exotic vibrant pattern which you fell in love with can fade quickly unless throws are used when the sun is strongest. Unless you are prepared to do this, you will be better choosing a paler colour which also has the advantage of making the room seem bigger.
Wooden furniture such as dining tables can also suffer because of the rapid expansion and contraction caused by the extremes of temperature so do not be tempted to put the family heirloom out there.

Plants

When choosing plants for your conservatory, make sure that they will tolerate not only extreme heat but also the cool temperatures of winter. Subtropical ones such as those found in parts of Australia and citrus trees are a good bet. Be prepared for the fact that you will have to water them a great deal in the summer and you may have to have a portable heater switched on during the winter. Most conservatory plants will survive in temperatures as low as 4 degrees but, if it dips below that, then heating will be needed.