Month: March 2024

Why Skylight Repairs Are A Top Priority In Springtime

If you want to keep your conservatory in pristine condition, many parts of it will need some attention, particularly at certain times of the year.

Just as you need to look after the gutters in autumn lest they fill up with leaves and respond to any damage caused by storms or ice in winter, springtime is a very good time to pay some attention to your skylight.

Various things can damage a skylight and not all of them happen at the same time of year. But spring means the daylight hours get longer than the night and the sun gets higher in the sky. While you might not glimpse the sun through the skylight until summer, any evident damage to it will be easier to spot.

Not only does this give you a clue that it is time for skylight repair work; but it also means any visitors will notice it too, so if you want to impress with your fine conservatory you won’t want to leave it in less than ideal condition.

Something that will stand out when the spring sunshine hits the glass is any cracks you may have. These can be caused by a range of different things.

In the colder months, this can include storm damage caused by debris hitting the skylight or falling on it. Large and rapid temperature changes can also have an effect. Other factors, such as hailstones, can occur at different times of the year, but most obviously when it is colder.

Damage arising from these causes is an obvious thing to look out for now winter has passed. But the summer can bring its own problems and some of those might not have been easily spotted when it was cold and dark, but will be in the months ahead. In particular, over time bright sunlight itself can cause damage.

The extent of damage and what needs to be done to fix it can depend on what material the skylight is made from. Acrylic skylights are more likely to break than laminated glass, for instance. While sometimes a whole pane needs to be replaced because the damage is so bad, often a crack can be fixed, such as through the use of specialised acrylic caulking.

If it looks like you have a problem of this kind, it certainly makes sense to get an expert on the job now. That way, you can establish what needs to be done, get it repaired by a specialist and look good as new just as you move into the time of year when the conservatory will be used the most.

The period between the autumn equinox of 2023 and this year’s spring equinox saw no fewer than ten named storms over Britain. The naming of storms is a new practice that has only emerged in recent years, but climate scientists expect winters to get wetter and stormier, albeit with less severe cold.

At the same time, summers are expected to be drier and hotter, which means more hot sun shining on the conservatory.

What that means is that the risks from cold in winter are reducing, while the dangers posed by storms and hot summer sun are increasing. But wherever the threats arise, be sure to keep checking your skylight and every other part of your conservatory to ensure it is in good shape.

Why Spring Is The Time To Fix A Leaky Conservatory Roof

The question of when winter ends and spring starts is a topical one at this time of year. Some prefer the astronomical definition of when the equinox arrives (which is March 20th this year – the earliest it can arrive because it’s a leap year), while others go with the Met Office definition of March 1st.

Whichever you choose may not matter, because the weather seldom plays ball at this time of year. This is not just a matter of climate change; it has often been the case that there can be very mild days as early as February and snow falling in March or even into April. This year, it seems to be wet all the time.

That might get you asking a few questions about when might be the right time to carry out some much-needed conservatory repairs, not least if the roof has a leak. Notwithstanding the capricious nature of the weather, spring is definitely the time to do it.

To begin with, if you have a leak in your conservatory roof that was not there last summer, the likely causes are weather effects of autumn and winter, which can include storm damage and freeze-thaw.

Since the Autumn equinox last September, the UK has been hit by no fewer than ten named storms. While the naming of storms over the British winter months is a new practice and therefore any ‘record number’ doesn’t mean much, it has certainly been a windier winter than most.

That means there were more opportunities for conservatories to be hit and damaged by flying or falling debris than in most winters. Occasionally, winds can be strong enough to cause damage on their own, such as the tornado that tore off roofs in the town of Stalybridge near Manchester in December as Storm Gerrit hit.

Whether damage is done by weather or other causes, any cracks in the glass can be widened by cold weather. This happens through the process of freeze-thaw, as the water gets into gaps, freezes and then widens the gap, as the ice expands.

It’s invaluable in releasing nutrients from rocks in nature, but bad news for cracked glass when the temperature drops below zero.

While not certain, it is likely the storms and freezing nights will soon be past, which is why the time is right to have the repair work done.

The other reason is simply because summer follows spring and while nobody knows if we will have a washout or a ‘barbecue summer’, the chances are there will at least be some days when you want to sit in the conservatory and enjoy relaxing in the sun. That will be easier if the space is not wet in places because it rained during the previous few days.

Conservatories are also places where you can create a microclimate for plants that enjoy being indoors. Damaged and leaky roofs can also let draughts in, which could mean it is colder in there than your plants will easily handle.

Because spring can often be wet, it is not quite a case of ‘fixing the roof when the sun shines’, but you can certainly get it in good shape for when the dry and warm days (however many of those we will get) finally do arrive.

Why Conservatory Skylights Are Perfect For Springtime

Spring seems to have taken forever to arrive, but now that the sun is starting to shine more and the days are getting longer, homeowners are reminded why fitting skylights for their conservatory was the perfect choice. 

As much natural light as possible

Glass conservatories are obviously great at allowing as much natural light to get into the house as possible, providing homeowners with lots of health benefits, such as boosting energy levels, improving mental health, and reducing risks of certain conditions. 

However, not all conservatories are made entirely out of glass, and some have one or more brick walls and tiled roofs. This is to avoid the rooms overheating during the summer months and being cold in the winter, unless thermally efficient glass is used. 

Therefore, if your conservatory does not let as much natural light in as you would like, getting a skylight is a great solution. 

After all, natural light has been shown to keep seasonal depression at bay, particularly as spring has only just begun and there may still be some dark and gloomy days; improve sleep; and boost vitamin D levels in the body. 

Get fresh air

Although it might be a while before it feels warm outside, those brighter days are coming, and when they do, you will be glad you can open your skylight and let lots of fresh air into the house. 

This saves homeowners having to keep their conservatory door open, which can pose a security risk unless they are in the room all the time, but means they can still improve the ventilation throughout their downstairs. 

Getting fresh air is essential, as it removes allergens, it gets rid of smells and toxins produced when cooking from the kitchen, it keeps pet odours at bay, it limits condensation and, therefore, reduces mould in the house, and it saves money on fans, should it get that warm in the house!

Healthwise, it also improves productivity by increasing the amount of oxygen to the brain; it lowers exposure to carbon dioxide, which can result in headaches and high blood pressure; and it encourages the heart to pump blood around the body, improving heart health. 

Be close to nature

There’s nothing more uplifting than being able to look at the bright blue sky, white fluffy clouds, and trees swaying in the breeze, particularly after a long, dark winter. 

Having skylights in your conservatory allows you to feel closer to nature, even when you are busy doing jobs in your home. 

You can hear the birds singing when you open the window, or smell freshly cut grass from the air outside. And you can feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, and watch as the seasons change from winter to spring and into balmy summer. 

Feeling closer to nature has a lot of mental health benefits, according to Mind charity, including improving your mood, reducing feelings of anger, boosting self-esteem, encouraging activity, and making you feel more relaxed.

So, getting a skylight in your conservatory could certainly help you make the most of the beautiful spring weather, as well as improve your frame of mind.