Conservatories don’t have the best reputation for being warm and energy efficient, but it’s possible for them to be be now with modern technology. There are several options that will help to make your conservatory more energy efficient and a room you can use all year round.

If you have an existing conservatory, you might want to think about replacing its existing roof with a type of polycarbonate that is heat reflective. You can also opt for tiles, making it look more in keeping with the rest of the home and making it much more energy efficient – cooler in summer, warmer in winter. If you’re having a new conservatory built, you can also request these two options and choose the look that you like the most. It’s the most environmentally friendly, comfortable, energy efficient way to add a roof to your conservatory, saving you money in the long run and making your conservatory more comfortable.

Polycarbonate domes offer the same benefits as glass rooflights, but with a cheaper polycarbonate material used in place of the glass. They can provide more natural daylight and better light levels in general, but without the high costs associated with buying and fitting them.

These are the top reasons to choose polycarbonate domes:

• Can be fitted in bulk. They are great for large commercial spaces where lots of units might be needed.
• Good value for money. You won’t pay over the odds when you buy from a good supplier.
• More daylight. This is a benefit for anybody using the building, making a space brighter and more inviting.
• Available quickly. Many polycarbonate roof domes are kept in stock in regular sizes, so they can be delivered quickly. They won’t hold up a project.
• Additional value. A dome can increase the value of your home or property if high quality and well fitted.

Rooflights are very much representative of the modern home, encompassing everything we think about when we picture true modern living. Extra light? Definitely. Better aesthetics? A rooflight certainly helps. The impression of extra space? Rooflights can help here, too. Flat glass rooflights are especially associated with modern living, giving the impression of space, light and overall contemporary aesthetics. They can benefit any modern space within the home, from an open plan kitchen diner, to a sitting room, to a bedroom (perhaps a loft room could benefit from more natural light).

Flat glass rooflights are slim, attractive and truly contemporary. They are an easy way to bring more light and spaciousness into a home – especially in the current age, where homes are smaller than ever. If you ever feel that your home is too small or cramped, a rooflight can most certainly help alleviate that feeling. Bringing in more light than a vertical window of the same size, a rooflight is good value for money as well, giving you the exact aesthetic you are seeking to achieve.

If you are looking for modern-day rooflights, flat glass designs will definitely fit the bill. Here are some of the reasons why:

• More natural light. Modern homes are light and bright, with light wood furnishings and a minimalist feel. Your rooflight will help with this, bringing in light from above to enhance the overall feel of lightness and brightness. Standing lamps are also popular interior design features, but they won’t bring in the same quality of light. Only natural light will lend the right kind of feel and look to a room; it can’t be recreated with artificial light.
• A feeling of more space. More light gives the impression of more space, something that is at a premium in modern living. Flats and small houses will always benefit from feeling more spacious, as living conditions in the UK are notoriously cramped now. For families that are growing, this can be a problem; how are you meant to feel comfortable in your space when it feels so small? Cosiness is one thing, but wouldn’t you prefer a feeling of space? Rooflights give the impression of higher ceilings, and thus, a bigger room.
• They look attractive in their own right. Wouldn’t you enjoy the aesthetic benefits of a new rooflight with slimline profiles and an all-round attractive, modern look? Rooflights in the flat glass category can now be incredibly slimline indeed so that there is less frame and more glass. This gives better views of the outdoors and the sky above, as well as looking more contemporary – modern design is all centred on minimalist appearances.
• They are well insulated and efficient. Flat glass rooflights are usually double glazed or better, keeping your space warmer. You won’t have to worry about cold air coming in or your warm air escaping with a modern rooflight. U-values can be very low; check what they are before deciding on your rooflight. If you’d prefer ventilation, you can also choose hinged rooflights.

Commercial umbrellas are just as the name suggests – protective umbrellas that are used in a commercial sense, so they are the kind favoured by businesses. They will be stronger and more robust than a domestic umbrella for a garden table or picnic table, giving you the additional protection your customers will want and need at your establishment. What’s more, the quality and strength will means that you don’t have to work as hard to maintain the umbrellas – or, for that matter, buy more in the near future because they haven’t lasted.

If you have a commercial space where the atmosphere matters, choosing commercial umbrellas can really improve this atmosphere and give a more welcoming feel. It is also a chance for you to advertise, displaying either the name of your establishment so passers by can see it, or displaying the names of popular brands in your industry that you would like to be associated with.

Are you a shop owner looking to maximise on your space and make sure people are drawn to your premises? Awnings for shops can be very helpful, allowing you to improve and enhance your space to make it more attractive to the general public. There are many different kinds of awnings you can select, and they will come in at a range of price points, so there’s no doubt you will be able to find something that will suit your property. Even if you have a listed building, or a building that cannot be changed much, an awning will go a long way towards brightening it up, making it look more welcoming, and making it look more professional. 

Often, a customer will expect to see an awning on a commercial building like a shop. This will make it stand out to them, and will make them realise that it is definitely premises that they can enter. They might also recognise the brands that are often on awnings, making the premises seem more familiar to them. If you want to increase footfall, an awning can be very helpful. 

Of course, you need to buy the right kind of awning for your shop premises. It’s no good choosing a domestic awning – it won’t create the right kind of look for your property, and it might not have the functionality you need. It also might not stand up well to commercial usage, as you will most likely be using it as a retractable awning on a regular basis. 

There are various different kinds of awning you can choose, including Pergola, Pergotex, Med Isola Fly, Med Twist and Med Varia. Some will be more suitable for shop premises than others, for example,  retractable awning is going to be the most appropriate option. Whilst a med room might be a lovely addition for your customers, it won’t have the functionality you would want from a shop awning. You have to think about the long-term benefits all round. 

So what should an appropriate shop awning give you? Here are some of the points you will want to consider: 

• Kerb appeal. One of the main functions of an awning is to increase footfall by making your shop premises looking welcoming and inviting from the outside. 
• Branding. You can use your own branding on the awning, which is a great way to build up some brand recognition. You can also use well known brands of suppliers you sell in your shop, which people will recognise and will be able to relate to you. 
• Shading. This is a good way to provide additional shading inside the building, as often you will have open front windows that are great for letting in light, but can add lots of glare in the summer months. 
• Functionality. Think about what you actually want to do with your awning, like whether you want to be able to retract it. If you do, make sure you get a quote for a shop awning that will suit your needs.