Alternative Gardening Techniques for Garden Rooms

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Garden rooms are a versatile addition to your living space, whether it’s attached to your house or a stand-alone structure in your back yard. It can serve as a sunroom, personalized home office, studio, den, or lounging area. Not only do garden rooms create more living space and functional square footage to your residence, but it can also increase your home’s market value.

A garden room need not be a plain enclosed space with potted and hanging plants. It can be a showcase of exotic flora and an alternative gardening technique, such as hydroponics. Let’s discuss this novel method of gardening that you can apply in your garden room.

What is Hydroponics?

Hydroponics is a centuries-old technique of gardening that entails growing plants in a pH-adjusted mineral nutrient solution instead of soil. The word itself is a combination of the Greek words for water (hydro) and labor (pono). The literal meaning of hydroponics is “working water.”  This technique was used by the historic Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and other areas where there’s little or no arable land or space. For those benefits alone, hydroponics can be a worthy option for your garden room designs.

Types of Hydroponics

There are six basic types of hydroponics, and hydroponic systems are usually variations or combinations of these types. 

1. Wick System

This hydroponic method is one of the simplest. It is mainly composed of a nutrient solution drawn into the growing medium from a reservoir with a wick. Instead of soil, popular choices for the growing medium are vermiculite, perlite, pro-mix, and coconut fiber.

2. Water Culture

The water culture hydroponic system is also called the “deep water” hydroponics. This method consists of a styrofoam platform that holds the plants, which floats directly on a nutrient solution. An aquarium air pump is used to supply air to an airstone that’s submerged in the solution, which in turn gives oxygen to the plant roots.  This method is best for water-loving plants like leaf lettuce.

3. Drip Systems

In a drip system, drip emitters are used to supply the nutrient solution to plants in containers with inert media like peat, perlite, coir, or grow stones. The containers are placed on the floor with gutters to collect the solution that flows through the containers, or collected in a reservoir for reuse.

4. The Kratky Method

This type of hydroponics is similar to the water culture method but is even simpler. The Kratky method consists of growing the plants in large containers or buckets, with their supporting structure fixed to the top of the container instead of floating. As the nutrient solution is consumed, the plant roots are gradually exposed to the air, supplying them with oxygen. The nutrient solution is placed at a level where only the bottom portion of the roots are submerged.

5. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

In this technique, water is pumped from the solution reservoir and through shallow channels. Plants in pots or blocks of inert media are placed in these channels, with a drain at the end. The plant roots aren’t submerged in water but grown within a thin film of nutrient solution that flows continuously through the entire system.

6. Aeroponics

Aeroponics is the most complex and technology-dependent type of hydroponics. This method consists of freely hanging the plants in a chamber without any media. The roots are misted periodically with water and a nutrient solution by automated pressurized nozzles.

Hydroponics can be an efficient method of growing flowers, plants, herbs and vegetables in your garden room year-round. When deciding on which type of hydroponics, consider your budget and the time and effort you’re willing to put into its maintenance. Contact us to know more.

In the Mood for Gourmet, Every Day? Grow Your Own Indoor Herb Garden

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Fresh foods made from locally grown ingredients are all the rage. And if you’re going to be cooking with fresh ingredients, why not grow your own herb garden to have on hand?

The rising popularity of gourmet food has increased the demand for fresh ingredients, specifically herbs. Apart from the convenience of never having to go far to find fresh ingredients for your dish, with an indoor herb garden it’s straight from ‘farm’ to table.

Raising an herb garden in the luxury of your own garden room lets you enjoy fresh scents, flavors, and taste, all year round. Below are some tips to help you start your indoor gardening project.

Invest in good lighting

Your sunroom or garden room makes the ideal environment for growing sustained and harvestable amounts of herbs. This is because intense light (or anywhere from 6-8 hours of direct light) helps herbs produce the oils that give them their distinct flavor.

East- and west-facing windows give your plants an abundant amount of bright sun for about six hours. In the winter days, south-facing windows receive most of the sun.

In the winter, when abundant sunlight isn’t always a possibility, invest in artificial lights. Pick the right, energy-efficient grow light for your type of herb, to keep your plants healthy. Be sure not to use a sunlamp – these are for people and can do more harm than good for the plant.

Choose the best herbs to grow

Note that not all herbs can grow well indoors. Some herbs (such as dill and cilantro) will require constant replanting after trimming, making them the least viable choice for an indoor garden.

Meanwhile, perennial herbs, such as chives, rosemary, thyme, mint, oregano, and bay laurel are some of the easiest to grow. You can buy these from young plants at your local garden center. There are also herbs that you can start from cuttings (such as mint) and then those that are best started from seed (like basil and chervil).

Before buying seeds or young plants, ask the seller if the herb you intend to buy can thrive in an indoor garden.

Decide between soil and hydroponics

The discussion of using soil vs. hydroponics is often a lengthy one, given the number of factors to consider and what the individual wants to achieve.

Hydroponic systems are the choice for many indoor plant growers, as they make more efficient use of space compared to soil. Hydroponics don’t depend on external factors. Instead, it allows you to create the nutrient mixture, humidity, temperature, and growing schedule that’s ideal for growing your herbs indoors.

Starting your very own garden comes with plenty of benefits, both to your health and your budget. An indoor herb garden is not just a healthy choice for you, but it also makes valuable use of your luxury garden room. Ask Conservatory Craftsmen about building a garden room that’s perfect for growing plants and herbs. Call us at 612-281-4985 or fill out our form today.

Holiday Decorations: 4 Delightful Ideas from Your Greenhouse

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For the rest of your neighborhood, winter means chilly winds and prized plants buried in snow. But when you have a luxuriously designed greenhouse, you can enjoy the warmth of a balmy spring day and watch your plants thrive under its protection – even in the middle of a polar vortex. 

You can feel the holiday vibe in the cozy warmth of your greenhouse by getting creative with your decorations. Take advantage of your conservatory’s features by integrating your colorful flora and using your gardening skills for unique and delightful holiday greenhouse decorations.

Cultivate Colorful Poinsettias

Poinsettias are almost synonymous with the holidays. These colorful plants, with their distinct and vibrant scarlet leaves, are just gorgeous to behold. With a greenhouse of your own, you could cultivate them months ahead of the holiday season and surprise your neighborhood with a crop of beautiful plants during the winter.

You have to grow poinsettias the right way to have healthy and vivid plants come the winter. Once you do, you can come up with all sorts of ways to decorate your home and your greenhouse with their magnificent colors.

Here are some ideas:

  • Use them to create centerpieces for your tables
  • Arrange the plants around your greenhouse to form designs and patterns
  • Use a bouquet of poinsettias to add a splash of color to gift baskets
  • Make garlands of poinsettias and drape them around your windows

Customized Holiday Wreaths

If you keep your greenhouse nice and warm throughout the winter, your plants and herbs will continue to thrive even in the coldest months. With your conservatory full of lush plants, why not use them to make customized holiday wreaths?

Look for intact pinecones from your plants and combine them with flowers from the plants in your greenhouse. Form a frame from twigs and branches and tie them together with festive ribbons and string. Attach aromatic herbs, such as mint or rosemary to give them a fresh scent.

Finally, you can make them even fancier with miscellaneous ornaments or by painting them in bright holiday colors, such as gold, red, and silver.

Use Plants for Holiday Accessories and Trinkets

Your indoor garden can provide you with materials for more than just festive wreaths. With a little imagination and some effort, you could come up with many trinkets and accessories you can use to decorate your home.

You’re in luck when you’re already growing popular holiday plants, such as mistletoe vines, holly bushes, and rosemary shrubs. Use sprigs and cuttings to make small ornaments to dangle from doorknobs and archways. A little hot glue with ribbons help to form lovely arrangements for place settings and assorted decor.

You can use other plants to create wonderful trinkets as well. Find leaves with interesting shapes and vividly colored blooms, then use them for your crafts.

Decorate a Living Tree

The tree is the centerpiece of the holiday celebration, much like how turkeys are the epitome of Thanksgiving feasts. But buying a cut tree from a lot is difficult to transport and a headache for cleaning up. Instead of going through all that difficulty, why not decorate a living tree in your greenhouse?

Although pine trees are a holiday staple, any living plant large enough will do. Your living ‘tree’ is also much better for the environment than cutting one down or buying a plastic tree.

Your greenhouse is more than just a warm cozy place during the winter. Using your creativity, and some ribbon and decorations, you can turn it from a conservatory to an artist’s workshop all winter long.

Delightful Designs and Efficient Engineering for Greenhouses

Conservatory Craftsmen’s greenhouses give you precise control over indoor temperature, making sure your plants and flowers thrive throughout any season.

We combine stunning designs with cutting edge technology to build you the luxurious greenhouse of your dreams.

Learn about our automation technology today and discover the future of greenhouse technology.

Summer Greens: Edible Plants to Grow in Your Garden Room

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Summer is here, and with it comes the opportunity to surround yourself with gorgeous plants – an act that can boost your mood and reduce depression and obesity. You don’t have to be outdoors to do this, either; with garden rooms, you can bring the beauty of greenery inside your home.

Garden rooms are ideal for growing edible plants, as these rooms provide the right conditions and the right amount of light indoors. You can grow almost anything in a garden room, but for summer, it’s better to tend to plants that can sustain the heat.   

Leafy Green Vegetables

It can be difficult to make the perfect home-grown salad when you have the juiciest tomatoes but dried up lettuce and spinach. Luckily, there are other leafy greens that can withstand the summer heat. Plants such as Chinese spinach, rhubarb chard, Malabar spinach, and sweet potato greens can be great substitutes for lettuce, spinach, and other salad greens. These plants can grow much faster in a garden room, where climate conditions are controlled.  

Strawberries

Fresh summer strawberries are among the most popular, most nutritious and refreshing fruits in the world – and you can easily grow them in your garden room. This plant loves well-lit, warm places, and are happy to grow in jars and hanging baskets. No matter where you plant them, strawberry plants can flourish as long as they are taken care of properly.

Parsley

Parsley is a popular herb that’s used in salads, sauces, and soups. It also often used as a garnish. Rich in vitamins A and C, as well as iron, this herb tastes good and is good for you. Parsley grows best in a cool and sunny area, planted in loamy soil with good drainage. It does well when planted in a container.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are fruits that require proper planting so that they can provide a plentiful harvest throughout the summer. They aren’t the easiest plant to grow, but they are one of the most popular.

Tomato plants need strong, direct light, so make sure you place them in the sunniest part of your garden room. Make sure that you plant them deeply in a big pot that you’ve filled with good quality soil. In the heat of the summer, you will have to water your tomato plants twice a day – the goal, though, is to keep the soil moist and not too wet.  

Eggplants

Eggplants are delicious, versatile vegetables that grow well in large containers. In order for eggplants to thrive and grow properly, you need to place them somewhere with full sun and good air circulation. You also need to keep their soil evenly moist so make sure that you provide enough moisture.

These are just some edible plants that can thrive in your garden room. If you don’t have a garden room to house your indoor plants and are looking to build one, turn to Conservatory Craftsmen. We can both design and build the luxury garden room of your dreams. Simply get in touch with us by giving us a call at 612-281-4985 or 888-345-7915.

Our second year that the Arboretum’s Spring Show!

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UofM Landscape Arboretum’s Spring Flower Show – Passport to Spring, and Conservatory Craftsmen!

In 2018, Conservatory Craftsmen custom-designed an English-style conservatory for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum “Fragrances of Spring” flower show. It was a hit with visitors, and we heard from so many guests who enjoyed seeing the kind of work we do.

This year, we created a European glass garden house as the centerpiece of the 2019 Arboretum spring flower show that runs Feb 1 through March 3, 2019. It will occupy the center of the Great Hall, and be surrounded by showpiece gardens of plants and themes from around the world.

The great country houses of Europe are known for their elegant formal gardens, but they were also hard-working estates that were self-sustaining, growing the herbs, fruit, and vegetables for kitchens that often had to feed many guests as well as the resident family.

To produce herbs for seasoning and for medicinal purposes, as well as shelter tender seedlings early in the growing season, practical workspaces for gardeners were found in glass houses. These practical structures were typically positioned near the kitchen, to make snipping basil and chives easier, and often featured cold frame growing beds attached or nearby, to accommodate more plants.

At the 2018 Chelsea Flower Show in London, MaryJo and I (Jim Hewitt) were inspired by not only the fantastic floral displays over three acres, but the focus on sustainability and eco-friendly growing techniques. You can read the blog on our trip here for more info. Greenhouses and glass houses offer tremendous potential for the home-owner.

We built this year’s glass house for the Arboretum flower show as a fairly authentic European kitchen garden. If we were to build this for a customer with all the technology we commonly use, the windows would operate on temperature controls, the blinds would fold up or down based on the time of day or amount of sunlight, and there would be automatic supplemental heating and an automatic fan.

To inspire your own kitchen garden, we created an Arboretum flower show takeaway. King Charlemagne famously specified specific plants for healing and herbs for health and cooking, and we’ve listed some of his favorites—you’ll see many of them at the Arboretum!

Come tour our glass house in the Great Hall at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum!

Next year, we are excited to announce that we will again be working with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to create an inspirational and unique glass structure for the garden. Stay tuned to see what develops!

The World Horti Research Center

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I never tire of a new trip to the Netherlands. The Dutch have such electricity in the air. Its as if they have discovered a secret, and being Dutch, they are only too happy to share it. My current trip to the Netherlands is to spend some time at the World Horti Research Center, where horticulture has just crashed headlong into agriculture, and it’s winning.

Whatever we were growing for fresh food in a field in the past, can be more efficiently and effectively grown in a greenhouse.

  • We visited a greenhouse that had dug a well 2.4KM into the earth to obtain the heat required to heat the greenhouse, year round. After the initial investment, all heating costs were no cost from that day forward.
  • Glass evenly distributes the sunlight to all plants the same so there are no slow/fast maturing spots in the greenhouse, just even ripening.
  • There is also a device that can be installed where you go through it to get into the greenhouse, and it cleans your feet and hands. Sanitation is an utmost priority!

Whether tomatoes or flowers, massive quantities are grown on no wasted water, grown evenly, because the market shopper wants all produce to look the same every day of the year.

The WHRC has three main objectives.

A third of the building is dedicated to education. Students from far corners of the earth come to learn. These students are learning the most current methods of crop production and taking these skills back to China, Russia, USA – you name it. The Dutch are not about to keep this a secret.

They realized is that there are few people in the world prepared to embrace this new form of Ag/Hort. There are plenty of eager investors around the globe that are ready to throw money at these forms of crop production, but few candidates can apply who have the necessary skills.

Another third of the building is dedicated to companies in the industry who want to display their contribution to the new technology. Locally, Honeywell is well represented as a forerunner in environmental controls. Other companies display growing mediums, automation of many kinds. For example, there are lasers that prune plants to consistent sizes, screens that not only keep bugs out of the greenhouse, but keep the pollinating bees in the greenhouse (special bees are rotated every 30 days in the fruiting greenhouses [tomatoes]). Every new innovator of production products is there in a 365 trade show set up for all the world travelers that come daily to visit.

The final third of the structure is research greenhouses. New varieties are tested for market, new techniques are tested, and quantitative research is shared here. Companies will lease a greenhouse bay about 25′ X 60′, segregated from the attached growing area next door, and they will work intensively to explore new depths in the world of greenhouse growing.

The WHRC is located in the shadows of the International Flower Auction, a 2.5 million sq ft building in which the bulk of the world’s flowers are brought in fresh in the morning and shipped to markets around the world at night. I was here merely a year ago when the first steel column was set in the soil to begin construction. Today, it is a vibrant, bustling center for business and knowledge converging on an untapped frontier of world horticulture.

Trends ‘grow’ quickly here. A year ago, I never saw a ‘living wall’ today they are everywhere. Inside and outside of buildings, signs for companies are made of living walls, highway barriers are living walls. It’s just an example of how fast these trends are being adopted and made commonplace throughout the world as the Dutch set the pace for the industry that will soon feed the world.

Maximize Rooftop Space with a Conservatory

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When people talk about expanding interior space, they immediately think about taking down walls and building new rooms. These are plausible solutions, but only if your plot of land can accommodate the extra floor space. If your property is in the middle of the city, however, or if you like your structure as is, then you might want to turn your gaze upward.

Conservatory Craftsmen offers an opportunity to expand your interior space without doing any major renovations. By building a rooftop conservatory or greenhouse, we add one more inhabitable space to your property.

Residential Comforts

Rooftop conservatories designed by Conservatory Craftsmen have sustainable features that are trendy today: energy-efficient, automated, and eco-friendly. Although they are still more popular in the UK, more American homeowners are starting to see their benefits and are now integrating conservatories into their homes.

With their glass walls and roofs, conservatories allow natural light to come in. Conservatory Craftsmen also adds large glass doors and windows that open either manually or automatically. As a result, the houses we work on become bright and airy even if their owners keep the lights and air conditioning off during the day. So, they get to enjoy the outdoors without stepping outside their homes and save on electricity bills.

Whether you use it as a greenhouse or a sunroom, a rooftop conservatory offers comforts and efficiencies that appeal to your modern sensibilities.

The Advantage to Commercial Buildings

Rooftop conservatories are flexible; commercial property owners can find multiple uses for them. They are suitable as an events space, for example, or as structural covers for hotel rooftop swimming pools. Other possible uses for them are as art studios, dance studios, and cafe lounges.

Food establishments and fresh produce stores can also take advantage of their rooftop spaces by converting them into commercial greenhouses. They can grow some of the products they sell or use in their dishes. A commercial greenhouse can be a selling point for health-conscious consumers and supporters of sustainable farming.

One of the specialties of Conservatory Craftsmen is commercial greenhouse construction, so if the idea above appeals to you, you’re already in the right place.

Modern Features

Automation is the mark of a modern conservatory, and it is a luxury that’s worth spending on.

Fully-automated conservatories boast self-closing roof blinds that are heat-activated. Once the interior reaches a specific temperature, the system triggers the blinds to extend across the glass roof. Automated windows work the same way. With the addition of a rain detector, you don’t have to run up to the conservatory and pull the windows closed if it rains.

Conservatory Craftsmen offers these features, including remote automation which allows you to control automation settings from your smartphone or through a voice-controlled speaker.

We do our best to maximize technology to give you something extra. Why settle for plain additional space when you can have it plus modern luxuries? If this sounds good to you, let’s talk. Get in touch with Conservatory Craftsmen today.

Conservatory Craftsmen and the Inauguration

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What could possibly be the connection between these two things?

Well, here’s the story. A few years back, Conservatory Craftsmen was commissioned to add a new conservatory/orangery onto the carriage house of the old Naval Hospital in Washington, DC. The city was renovating the building and then it would be leased to Bayou Bakery, a well-known eatery in the area.

Imagine our surprise and delight when we learned that the Bayou Bakery would be hosting the NBC Washington news crew broadcasting coverage of the inauguration events. In fact, the crew would be spending most of the day enjoying the atmosphere of the conservatory. In their regular broadcast the night before, NBC Washington did a story on the Bayou Bakery and we were shocked to find our crew featured on television. You see, some of the images that NBC Washington used to produce the piece showed the conservatory being constructed. The people you see working on the conservatory are Conservatory Craftsmen’s crew.

Watch our video below that shows an edited version of the broadcast with a couple of photos that we added on at the end. By the way, the paparazzi have just been unbearable since this aired.

The Indoor Winter Garden

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Green plants in the house make the home seem alive and well. It brings a balance to nature and helps me pass the winter months with hope and anticipation to start it all over again. Actually, when the frost hits in the fall, I bring many plants into the conservatory (OK, quarantine to be discussed), I love having greens around for Christmas, but when January hits, I need to see my survivors. January is also the time for seed catalogs, plant lists for spring, and when I usually start herbs in the house, because I need to grow something!

Let’s discuss where you could add more green in your home during the colder months.

Identify the areas in your house where you would like to have plants.

• The kitchen is a good place to start, but usually, there is not extra counter space here, so hanging plants may be the ticket.

• Most bathrooms will also be short on space but long on opportunity. Plants love a humid room and in the winter, the bathroom is often that space.

• Bedrooms tend to be a bit dark. For sake of privacy, most rooms have drawn curtains, so give this room a pass.

• The family room and the dining room are good locations.

• The front entry can be a cold spot when the door opens, so if you have a plant there, make sure it’s a tough character.

OK, now we need actors for the stage.

First… a warning. Most common plants we grow in the house are in some way not good for pets. A good rule is: if you can eat it, so can they. If you have pets, grow herbs. Always check the ASPCA list of lethal plants before bringing them home. You will be surprised at how long the list is. However, that said, most of these plants humans shouldn’t eat either! So be a bit cautious around young children. Many of the plants I am recommending for the average home are not good for pets. I consider it this way. If you don’t own a pet, you need something to take care of, right?

Here are some players that you might consider.

This is not, by any means, a complete list. 

Plants no mess, easy to grow:
• Spath (Peace) Lily. A nice dark green plant with a pretty flower. It’s easy to grow in low light situations. It does not like to be dry or overwatered, so just a regular small amount of water will do.

• Spider Plant, a great hanging plant for any room in the house. It produces tons of oxygen, so it’s a good sleeping room plant. It also removes formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and carbon monoxide from the air.

• Philodendron Ivy, also called Pathos ivy; a great versatile plant that is a vine and can grow in low light. Known for its ability to remove xylene from the air

• Sanservieria, mother-in-law’s tongue, snake plant. Great tall, slender grows in any light. Remarkable plant that releases oxygen at night. A good plant for the bedroom

• Schefflera or umbrella plant, medium to high light. Is a broad growing (umbrella like) plant.

• Aloe, a succulent, is well known for treating burns and sunburn but it also removes pollutants from the air in your house. All homes should have one.

• English Ivy: needs more light than pathos ivy or philodendron but is renowned as being the most effective pollutant remover for the house. Very effective at removing formaldehyde from the air.

• Rubber Plant, although not as popular as it once was, it is a very good plant for low light areas of the house and also removing pollutants from the air.

• Dracena many varieties. It can get quite tall. Remarkable as it removes xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from the air.

• Other succulents include; Jade plant, hoya and or course any cactus is easy to grow

Plants that flower: Most take a bit of talent, these are the easy ones.

• Bougainvillea is a fun plant to grow in high light applications, but it is messy. It is always dropping flowers, and if it gets crabby at you about light or water, it will drop all its leaves! Don’t worry they almost always grow back

• Kalanchoe is a succulent (like sanservieria). Usually that means the plant has hard, fat leaves. It flowers in less light and prefers a cold space

• African Violet this plant can become habit forming. Grandma had many, many plants and varieties. They prefer less light when nothing else will flower.

• Christmas Cactus: fun and easy to grow and yes, flowers at Christmas

• Boston Fern: For those of you who hate the mess an indoor plant may leave behind, avoid plants such as Boston Fern when you see them on sale at the home improvement store. Although beautiful and not difficult to grow, it sheds like a black lab in July. So be warned, it is a high maintenance plant.

Planning Ahead for Heating and Cooling Your Conservatory

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Another homeowner concern that I read on the internet is that of temperature control in the conservatory.

The orchid lover's greenhouse dreamhouse

The Orchid Greenhouse

Comments on Houzz often say “it’s beautiful but you will never afford to keep it warm in the winter” or “you will roast like a bug in an oven in the summer”

Funny thing, I never see that objection about a new Lexus or Mercedes! Couldn’t you say the same about them? Oh, but one thing, you assume the manufacturer has considered climate control in the vehicle, and you will always be comfortable.
I guess the ‘sunroom’ industry has deserved the bad rap it has earned. Too often, a sales guy, eager to close a ‘deal’ will do so with no consideration or discussion about climate.
That is a different company than Conservatory Craftsmen. Ask anyone who has worked with us. The discussions are long and detailed about how the conservatory is going to be used and what are the expectations of the homeowner.

Let’s start with the plants. When building a greenhouse, we assume all owners of a conservatory are going to grow some plants. Some people build the conservatory because they want to grow a serious crop of citrus and vegetables. Others want to enjoy sitting in the starlit evenings with the fragrance of Meyer Lemon filling the air. Either way, I have to make sure the humans and the plants can co-exist. Conservatory Craftsmen has been building conservatories in Minnesota for over 25 years. Does that say anything? We use these rooms 365, and my customers are happy.

A few rules to consider:

  • Jasmine at night in the conservatory

    Jasmine at Night in the Conservatory

    Plants never sleep. Keep a door between the house and the conservatory. In the winter, when it’s below zero, the conservatory should not be kept at 70 degrees while you are in bed sleeping. Plants respire at night, they have no sun so they change their activity from photosynthesis. They don’t want it to be 70 and dark. They grow long and leggy looking for the mythical sunshine that only lasts 8 hours in Minnesota.

  • Thermostat. The temperature of your conservatory should be set 45 to 50 degrees at night.
  • Heat Sinks. One of my customers has several ‘heat sinks’ going in their conservatory. Water columns hold heat and can be fun. Trombe walls and heat sinks all help to hold the day’s free heat into the night. This very customer is also a professor of engineering at the University of Minnesota. He keeps very close track of the energy consumption of the conservatory and tells me he has never spent more than $40 in any month of heating in Minnesota. My heating bill is more than that, but not crazy. We will spend as much as $250 in the winter to heat the entire home, conservatory and our hot water in the worst month of winter (ok, I admit, I have a heater in the garage set at 40 degrees too). That is less than many spend on just their homes.
  • Insulation. I will honestly say, the high-tech insulation and thermal efficiency of our conservatories make them easy to heat in the winter. You should never say ‘it’s too cold to use the conservatory today’.

Cooling, however, requires discussion also. One cannot build a conservatory and expect to cool with air conditioning. That is not a responsible choice.

Here is how we manage summer climate.

automated conservatory blinds and shades

Click for Info on Blinds and Shades

Plant a tree. If you are on the south or west exposure, you need shade. The beauty of a shade tree is that it is a natural, free air conditioner that loses its leaves in the winter and provides plenty of sun and warmth that time of year.

Use efficient glass. There is a battle between plants and humans when it comes to glass. We will have that discussion when planning the room. However, we can achieve great things with the glass we use, so chat with us about high-efficiency glass.

Blinds. We offer blinds for sloped glazing. We have the best products in the world for conservatory roofs. Our blinds can be manually operated or they can be automated to work themselves when it becomes too hot or sunny.

Move air. Commercial greenhouses don’t air condition. They move air and lots of it. Chat with us about air movement and how we can help you design a system to exchange the air in the room all day long. In the winter, capture that air for your house, in the summer; exhaust that air to the outdoors.

So, you naysayers who scribe on the walls of Houzz speak not from the hip, but talk to us and you will enjoy your conservatory, and the weather, any day of the year.