Greenhouse

A conservatory is usually a glassed-in room that is part of a main house. It can be used as a greenhouse and often has flowers or plants displayed in a scenic manner. A conservatory can also be a sunroom which is a glassed-in room that adds extra space for entertaining or dining. Conservatories are used for reading or sitting rooms, as well as game rooms. Additionally, they can provide sunlight to a darkened room.

A close relative to the conservatory is the covered patio and many conservatories or sunrooms started out being covered patios. Sun roofs and storm windows were installed as part of the enclosure. Today, covering a patio with a glass enclosure not only eliminates the problem of not being able to use the patio in bad weather; it provides numerous ways in which to use the extra space.

Conservatories that are used for extra living space are equipped with conservatory furniture. Because the sun shines a great deal through a glass conservatory, furniture placed in the room has to be able to withstand changes in temperature. Conservatory furniture is often made from wicker or rattan, and cane.

Conservatories in homes are used frequently as botanical gardens to raise orchids, or other flowers that are temperature sensitive. They can also be used for butterfly habitats and to represent a small piece of a tropical rain forest.

Building a conservatory can be a challenge to a homeowner. There are many different types of glass used, including self-cleaning, solar tinted, insulated, and safety glass. Glass roofs are usually reinforced with steel bracing. One problem that you may encounter while building a conservatory, especially if you live in a subdivision, is complaining by the neighbors. Depending on where the conservatory is located, it may block views, or create an imbalance of property values in the area. Since conservatories add living space to a home, they can add value to a property. Before adding one, however; be sure to check with the homeowners’ association in your neighborhood to make sure of any deed restrictions that would prohibit building one. In addition, be sure to obtain any necessary permits from your city or county.

There are many advantages to having a conservatory, not the least of which is being able to observe the landscaping around it. If you are installing one in a place that has a view, the view should be a consideration in planning one. For instance, having one in the mountains could afford a panoramic view of the mountains, or having one on the beach could provide a view of the ocean.

An ornate form of a conservatory is the orangery. Orangeries have a long history and they were first built in Italy in about 1545. They were built as a symbol of prestige on large estates and were a sign of the elite population. Many were elaborate with water fountains and alcoves with statues, called grottoes. Orangeries were first used to house delicate orange trees through the winter. Later, they were used to grow exotic plants.