Three Decorative Features that can Enhance Oak Conservatories and Orangeries

A wooden conservatory or, for that matter, orangery or garden room, is more than just extra living space. The warmth of timber is inviting, and can be aesthetically captivating. Little wonder then that so many UK home owners are happy to invest in the wooden option when deciding to have a conservatory built.

While oak is arguably the most popular hardwood type to use in a hardwood conservatory, there are others available too. Mahogany is commonly used in constructing UK conservatories, while Meranti, Sapele and Adigbo are also hardwoods that can be used.

But while oak conservatories and oak orangeries can boast a charm and style of their own, there are a number of decorative addition that can be made to enhance the specific extension or adapt it to match the desired style. These include such straight forward options as painted or stained finishes, more decorative options such as the use of crests and finials, and the more discerning option, like the type and design of the windows and doors.

The most obvious decorative items are finials and crests that are so synonymous with conservatories, particularly those of the Edwardian and Victorian designs. The crests sit on the roof capping that protects the spine of the roof. The particular style of the crests can vary from a simple spike to a fleur de lis, which can look so distinguishing. These are normally made of aluminium or cast aluminium, and are generally covered in a polyester powder coating to protect the metal from the elements and allow the feature to blend into to overall conservatory structure more effectively.

The finial, meanwhile, is the spike at the end of the roof, usually at the apex of the gable or hipped end. It too is made of either aluminim or cast aluminium, and is covered with a polyester powdered coating. The second option is to paint or stain the wood to ensure it matches the overall appearance that the home owner wishes, or to see it properly complements the main building. Stains generally come in five wood finishes, namely mahogany, teak, walnut, antique oak and light oak, while the range of coloured paints is typically as wide as 25 colours.

Of course, oak conservatories do not need to be treated to protect them against the weather, though it is not unusual for owners to use oils to help to keep the wet out of the wood. Nevertheless, in the case of all paints and stains, it is essential that only the micro porous variety is used so that the wood can be permitted to breathe properly.

Finally, and perhaps most impressively, the choice of design for the windows and doors in the development can have a significant impact. Sash and casement windows are the most commonly used, though sash windows are usually only used for garden rooms and orangeries because their style does not always suit the conservatory. Of course, the advantage of bespoke conservatory designs is that allowances can be made to accommodate what is desired, Casement windows are favoured because of the ease with which they can be opened and closed again.

However, it is the window glass itself that has the chief impact. Increasingly, conservatory owners are opting for the more decorative window designs, with Gothic arches one of the most distinctive. For those with slightly more traditional preferences, adding Georgian bars to the windows recreates the elegance of windows found on those grand Georgian houses of old. Windows may even be made to appear higher and slimmer with the addition of margin bars, making an arch at the top, whether Gothic or Tudor, even more pleasing to the discerning eye.

The glass design over the door way of a wooden conservatory can be distinctive too, with delicate gable bars to ensure the maximum amount of light, and sporting a wagon wheel window design to enhance the structural space aesthetically. Also, the glass used could be coloured to add a warming effect to the interior, with a host of personal and even biblical themes to choose from.

While oak orangeries, garden rooms and conservatories can be very different in design, they can share many of the same features. The choice of decorative features may come down to the individual tastes of the home owner, but whatever that may be, the charm and character of a hardwood conservatory is certain to be enhanced.