How to build a winter garden

Autumn and winter are the seasons when people feel down. There's a lack of sun, blue skies, and oxygen. One reason is that people spend a lot of time indoors, which rarely improves their mood. Therefore, for the autumn and winter cold, the best mood booster can be a fairy tale. winter garden in the house, full of plants. You can plan it today.

However, before you begin creating a winter oasis of peace, full of greenery and holiday memories, there are a number of issues to address. If you're adding a conservatory to an existing house, you'll need to notify the authorities, who will require a building permit. However, if you plan to build a conservatory on a plot of land separate from the house, the matter is much simpler. However, if it exceeds 25 meters, a building permit will also be required, as it will be considered a separate building site on the property.

Where to start?

It's possible to create a winter garden on an existing terrace—this seems like the simplest solution. However, if we don't have the right conditions, we can build one from scratch. Adding a roof and walls over an existing backyard patio presents another challenge: choosing a location. Despite appearances, location is crucial when planning a specific location for a winter garden.

When architects try to build a conservatory, they usually advise against placing a greenhouse on the north or south side of the house, as both locations have significant drawbacks. A north-facing garden will be quite cool and dark, as there's little light from these sides of the building. A south-facing garden, while sunny, will be unbearable in summer, as temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius. Such locations are often chosen by those who invest heavily in air conditioning. Therefore, building a conservatory on the east or west side of the house seems the most optimal solution. Due to the natural cycles of sunrise and sunset, the use of additional heating and lighting is much less.

The ideal substrate for a winter garden is stone-effect patio tiles, natural stone slabs, clinker, or ceramic tiles. Of course, the most durable and resistant to movement and weight for a winter garden structure are the materials typically used for patios or terraces.

Natural stone is especially recommended for winter gardens, as it's the most durable and noble of all materials for a winter garden foundation. If a cheaper but equally effective alternative is required, experts recommend imitation stone slabs. They are much less expensive than natural stone slabs and are easily impregnated, protecting against dirt and the adverse effects of use.

Slim and functional silhouette

The frame of a conservatory, if it will be used year-round, must be made of thermal insulation materials. In this case, cold-rolled steel structures or uninsulated aluminum or PVC profiles are out of the question. If the conservatory is intended for year-round relaxation with a book, a study, or a place to entertain guests, pressure-treated and glued laminated timber is the best choice. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, it offers excellent thermal insulation properties. For bold connoisseurs of modern architectural forms, building a garden frame from insulated PVC or aluminum profiles is an ideal idea.

When it comes to winter garden glazing, the glass used must be of the highest quality, colorless, and with a high coefficient of thermal insulation and solar energy gain. Double- or triple-glazed windows filled with inert gas are the best solution in this case. Choosing the right glass for the roof is especially important. You don't want the roof to fall on your head under the weight of snow and cause injury from shards of glass!

Tempered glass is recommended for roofs, as it is resistant to weather conditions and impacts such as hail or falling branches. The bottom layer of roof glazing should be coated glass, which will not pose a safety hazard if broken.

Rich and warm interior

The best way to heat a winter garden is with hydronic or electric underfloor heating. It's discreet, efficient, evenly distributed, and creates a consistent temperature throughout the room. An alternative for both summer and winter is an air conditioner, which provides heat in winter and cooling in summer. However, this is an expensive solution.

A winter garden, if it's intended for rest and relaxation, should have plenty of vegetation. Here, everything is left to the discretion of the greenhouse owner.

Southern vegetation complements wet-cast patio tiles or natural stone, which evoke a Mediterranean climate. The greenhouse-like climate of a conservatory will allow it to survive even the harshest weather conditions familiar to Russian residents. Japanese aucuba or eucalyptus bushes, combined with intensely fragrant tropical plants, are also recommended for decorating the space. To enhance the Mediterranean effect, consider adding palm trees in clay pots and furniture with a light southern texture, such as bamboo or rattan.

Reasons for building a winter garden

Approximately 10-20 percent of the Russian population experiences the effects of seasonal depression annually from late autumn to late winter. This is primarily due to the typical gray weather, lacking light and azure skies, but also to each person's individual emotional inclinations. To bring the vibrant colors of a Mediterranean landscape and tropical climate to your fall and winter life, consider creating a welcoming space around your home. A winter garden is sure to help combat the monotonous grayness of the Russian winter.