A structure conceived in the nineteenth century appears more current than ever, thanks to its essential lines and the minimalist spirit of the construction, made of only a few materials that are always of the highest quality. A conservatory is a luxury, timeless option that will add value to its housing unit. And if well built, it can be used as an extension of the home all year round, in every season.

But how does the climatic situation of the reference area influence the selection of the perfect conservatory and its construction materials?

How do you build a modern conservatory in accordance with the environmental conditions of the building site?

• The materials of a modern conservatory
• Insulating fixtures: the iron window
• Glass: modern materials for modern conservatories
• Mechanical systems to cool or heat a modern conservatory
• Air conditioning through construction details
• Which modern conservatory best suits your needs? Design it with DFN

The materials of a modern conservatory

A conservatory's structure is still made up entirely of iron and glass, as per tradition However, sometimes different finishes can be added.

This type of construction has a very light and ethereal appearance but in reality, constitutes a solid, resistant, and durable architectural project.

By selecting the right types of materials, it can be made virtually indestructible and impenetrable by the heat or cold of the outdoors.

Building a modern conservatory that is beautiful and functional for the country and geographic location where it will be built is simple with DFN, a leading company for outdoor luxury solutions.

DFN has the solution for the construction of the most suitable modern conservatory for each territory and its climatic peculiarities, thanks to the quality materials, luxury finishes, and modern technologies implemented in the design and construction of its conservatories.

Insulating fixtures: the iron window

In addition to the iron in which the skeleton of a conservatory is made, DFN proposes the iron window for its fixtures.

With its elegant thin profiles, an iron window allows for great design freedom regarding the facades and guarantees optimal thermal insulation.

For example, this material has a thermal transmittance 7 times lower than that of aluminum.

By exploiting the insulating power of the iron window with a thermal break, it is possible, together with other measures, to keep the internal temperature of a modern conservatory constant, according to the owners' preferences and/or needs.

The thickness of the fixtures for each conservatory will be calculated based on the desired thermal break—the greater the thermal break, the better the insulation capacity of the structure, which will more easily maintain its internal temperature.

For the thermal break, DFN uses a new high-density polyurethane, which installed together with high-performance insulating glass allows you to:

• Respond to the legislation on energy containment of buildings
• Create an environment characterized by comfort

Combining these excellent materials makes it possible to create modern conservatories even in very cold or very hot areas, which require a particularly high level of insulation.

Glass: modern materials for modern conservatories

There are also innovative solutions for glass that can raise the quality of use and the habitability of outdoor environments such as conservatories.

Glass is a conservatory’s characterizing element, as it is used in massive quantities to construct these environments.

Thanks to the modern typologies of glass, this material is no longer synonymous with poor insulation quality and unfavorable lighting conditions.

DFN uses different types of glass based on the needs imposed by each specific geographical area and its climatic conditions.

These innovative materials make it possible to improve the living conditions of modern conservatories. And if the project is combined with a latest-generation heating and cooling system, the structure can be used in any season, without any changes in the way the environment is used.

Double glazing

With excellent insulating power (thermal and acoustic), the double glazing is composed of an internal glass plate, an external plate, and an insulating duct between the two plates, which is filled with argon gas.

To improve the insulating power of these glasses, it is possible to request that the so-called low-emissivity treatment be applied.

Triple glazing

Triple glazing is in all respects comparable to double glazing, except for the fact that there are three glass plates used and two insulating channels filled with argon gas.

Compared to double glazing, the triple version offers even more effective insulation in terms of heat and sound.

Both of these types of glass can have low-emissivity treatment.

Low-emissivity glass: to maintain the internal temperature

The low-emissivity treatment we have mentioned allows for the creation of a type of glass designed to reduce energy consumption and maintain the rooms' internal temperature.

The treatment is applied on one or more faces of the glass and confers very high insulating properties, which lowers the thermal transmittance.

A low-emissivity glass will be able to reflect a part of the heat already present in the internal space of the case inwards: the heat emitted by people and the thermal devices used.

This feature makes low-emissivity glass a perfect choice for use in conservatory construction:

• Located in cold environments, where there is a risk of internal heat escaping from the structure
• Located in warm places for all or most of the year. Here, the danger is that the cool air released by the air conditioning migrates outside the building.

The low-emissivity treatment does not change the aesthetic characteristics of the glass, which will appear clear and allow high transmission of sunlight.

The thermal transmittance value will be lowered, and the free energy input will increase (solar factor equal to 64%).

Stopsol: solar control glass

The solar control glass is able to reduce the contribution of solar energy and guarantees high levels of natural light, which allows optimal habitability for both private and professional use.

This is the perfect choice for conservatories located in areas of the world where the sun's rays strike more strongly and directly.

Here, solar control glass is an essential option to make a modern conservatory liveable in any season.

DFN uses Stopsol, the world's most popular coated solar control glass.

Stopsol guarantees excellent energy performance and a very low solar factor, characteristics that allow energy savings and a reduction in cooling costs operated by air conditioning.

Stopsol glass is a luxury detail capable of combining functionality with aesthetics.

By combining the reflective coatings with the many choices of colors given by the wide range of colored glass available, you can give rhythm and character to your modern conservatory project, according to your client's wishes and preferences.

Selective glass: more light, less heat

The best glass for a conservatory built in an area of the world that is constantly subject to high temperatures is selective glass.

This type of glass reflects the freshness already present inside the structure (given, for example, by air conditioning systems).

It allows light to enter but blocks the heat from the outside, ensuring a cooler, more pleasant, and liveable environment inside.

Selective glass is neutral in color, therefore, completely transparent.

Structural glass: to support the weight of snow and high volumes of precipitation

Do you need to design a modern conservatory for an area particularly prone to heavy rainfall and heavy snow?

In this case, choose structural glass.

When combined with a more robust and massive iron structure, this type of glass will guarantee maximum resistance to the weight of the snow that will accumulate on the construction.

Mechanical systems to cool or heat a modern conservatory

As mentioned previously, there are many types of mechanical systems to cool or heat a conservatory, all designed to make modern conservatories environments usable in any season, regardless of the area’s climate.

From the hottest and driest countries to those with greater volumes of precipitation and snow, a conservatory can be built anywhere and used all year round thanks to the implementation of ad hoc heating and cooling systems.

Among the various possibilites are:

• Integrated air conditioning system in the false ceiling for heating and cooling
• Integrated underfloor air conditioning system for heating and cooling

The optimal air conditioning system for the geographical area in which your modern conservatory will be built will make the space habitable and always pleasant, regardless of what is happening outside this fascinating structure.

Air conditioning through construction details

In addition to materials and heating and cooling systems, DFN offers a wide range of structural finishes, roofing, curtains, and ventilation systems, which can help you shield your modern conservatory from external climatic attacks and mitigate their effects on temperature and internal light condition.

Which modern conservatory best suits your needs? Design it with DFN

Designing a modern conservatory with optimal characteristics so that it can be installed in any territory, regardless of the climatic and light conditions of the location, is possible.

DFN creates fully customizable conservatories depending on the geographical area in which the structure will be built, and based on the customer's needs and wishes.

Rely on DFN professionals: discover the finest materials and the most advanced technologies, and choose the most suitable ones for the construction of your conservatory anywhere in the world.

From the layout to the furnishings, to the finishes, up to the customized accessories: we will create a space capable of blending harmoniously with the surroundings with you, communicating with the external environment, and combining style and functionality.

With DFN, design a modern conservatory that is always elegant, attractive, glamorous, and pleasant to use in any season.