The Veranda market is ever growing in the UK. There are now more and more Veranda types to choose from depending on your requirements and, of course, your budget.

Verandas have mainly been made from a metal (usually aluminium) frame and a glass roof though polycarbonate is becoming more popular thanks to the ease it can be transported and the various options that are available.

Polycarbonate sheeting is far lighter in weight than glass though it is not completely transparent due to the channels than run between the layers.

The benefits of choosing polycarbonate is that the light weight allows for much larger Verandas to be erected using the same frame or a much smaller and neater frame being used in the first place. Verandas can generally use either clear, tinted or opal polycarbonate.  Clear will allow the most light through, tinted gives you some degree of shade and opal is the equivalent of using frosted or obscure glass – great for privacy.

Being that polycarbonate verandas are simpler to transport and erect, it is possible to even buy  DIY Verandas for you to install yourself. If you have flat wall then the installation is generally reasonably simple and anyone with a good head for DIY should be able to manage it with ease. Supply only Verandas should only be considered if you have a flat surface to install to and if you are confident to install your own foundations if required.

Polycarbonate Verandas can also be used as a carport. In fact, Verandas are really the same principle as a carport though they are generally designed to look more aesthetically pleasing and often have integrated guttering systems to avoid flooding your patio area.

The reason Verandas are proving so popular is that you are able to get outdoors more often without the worry what the weather will be doing.  There are various optional extras including screens and panels as well as sliding doors that allow you to create a complete outdoor room. With the addition of heaters and lighting this room really turns into one that can be used no matter what time of day or what time of year it is.

It is especially true here in the UK as for the last couple of years we have had very cold drawn out winters. Whilst our winters do not compare to some other countries, it is certainly not something that we are not used to.

The problem with the great British weather is how unpredictable it can be. We hope that moving into spring the number of warmer days significantly outweighs the number of days that are cloudy or raining. Unfortuantely this optimism can often lead to disappointment.

One of the newer home improvement products can allow you to enjoy the outdoors even when the weather moves against you. This is the Patio Roof, Garden Shelter or Veranda that is becoming more and more popular within the UK marketplace.

Essentially the Veranda is a lean to roof that extends from the wall of your property and sits on two or more columns at the front. The patio roof is usually glass or polycarbonate that has no sides and no front. It can be manufactured in almost all sizes to fit with your requirements.

The obvious benefit of this kind of garden roof is that you have an area of shelter to sit under no matter what the weather is doing.

One of the great things about the Veranda is that you can then modify things further to really get the maximum out of your new shelter. One of the best accessories is an outdoor heater.

Outdoor heaters use new technology that does not heat the air which makes for a very cost effective and efficient method of heating outdoors. These heaters mount onto the wall or the roof of your Veranda and they can be operated either via a remote control or a fixed switch. With the addition of an outdoor heater you can enjoy your outdoor area long into the summer nights. It will also allow you to get outside much earlier in the year without feeling cold.

Another great addition that you can consider with your Veranda is to get zip screens which can enclose the sides, the front of both.

Zip screens are a new product to hit the UK. They allow light to get through though block the heat and also a lot of the wind. They come in a variety of colours to blend with your property. As their names suggests, zip screens has a zip down either side that binds the fabric to the guide channel. This means there are no gaps which not only makes a great barrier for the wind but also stops unwelcome insects from coming in.

If you find that on a hot summers day your veranda becomes too hot to sit under then you can consider using a blind that is commonly found on the roof of conservatories. This blocks any heat before it hits your roof. Again, like the Zip screens, this blocks heat but not the light. It also reduces glare. In the summer months you can sit in a cool outdoor environment with no concerns about the heat, the wind or the rain!

Verandas or Patio shelters do not generally require planning permission unless you live in a conservation area or in a listed building. It is always wise to check this out with your planning office prior to proceeding with any order. The Verandas are designed as a permanent structure and their aluminium framework will give many many years of trouble free use. That being said, if you decide to sell your home and the prospective buyer doesn’t like the veranda, it is easy to remove with no damage to your property!

As well as the practical use of the Veranda, the pleasing aesthetic benefits can be significant. This is especially so of the more tradition Victorian styled Verandas.

Victorian Verandas are usually manufactured to suit your requirements and they generally have a glass roof though some do choose to utlise polycarbonate sheets as an alternative. The frame is generally made from aluminium or steel though aluminium Verandas are the metal of choice due to the fact that it will not rust so remains looking good for many years.

The main distinguishing factor of the Victorian Verandas is the columns that support the lean to roof. Usually the columns are spaced approximately 3m apart and take the style of an old Victorian lamp post. At the top of the posts you will often fit quarter arches or lattice work that joins the post to the supporting eaves beam.

If you have an older property your new Victorian Veranda will look as though it has been part of your property for many years. It is also possible to have your Veranda powder coated in any given colour to ensure that it blends perfectly.

Creating an outdoor sheltered area can offer many benefits to your property. In 99% of cases planning permission will not be required and immediately you will have added significant value to your home. A little bit of rain will not stop you enjoying dining outdoors and with the addition of some of the more common Conservatory Roof blinds you can install to the roof, you can even remain cool when under your Veranda the intense heat of mid summer.

Victorian Verandas do vary a lot in price depending on the size of the structure and what is involved to achieve your requirements. The materials used also play a large part in the costs. If you are looking for a quality Victorian Veranda using glass for the roof and aluminium for the structure, companies will often visit your home to prove a free, no obligation quotation so you can have a true indication of how much it will cost.

One of the more popular home improvement products of this year will be the Veranda.

Glass Verandas are starting to appear more and more now as companies realise that out doors living, which is enjoyed by the masses, is very hard in the UK’s unpredictable, unstable climate. The Glass Veranda, as well as being an attractive addition to your home, services it purpose by offering you shelter from the elements allowing you to remain outside no matter what the weather.

Glass Verandas come in many shapes and sizes. Some companies offer a bespoke Veranda manufacturing service where a Veranda will be designed and manufactured to your specific requirements. The most popular choices on the market at the moment are the traditional or Victorian style Verandas, or the more contemporary looking products.

As well as the Glass Veranda, other designs of patio roofs are becoming available that use polycarbonate roofs. These can offer cheaper costings as well as more options when it comes to tints and alternative colours and designs.

It is easy to make your Veranda a regularly used additional living space to your home. With the option of awnings on the roof, heaters, lighting and even sliding doors, your Veranda will allow you to be outside when you want whatever the weather.

With newer technology outdoor heating has become extremely effective both in terms of functionality as well as cost. With infra red heating the air is not heated at all so even if it is slightly windy, you remain warm. With standard infra red heater you can expect an electricity bill of only 20 pence per hour which, for outdoor heating, is really inexpensive.

Verandas can vary in cost dramatically depending on size, design and customisation. Realistically you need to be prepared to spend several thousand pounds on a Veranda, however you can view this as an investment as it will often add significant value to your home as well as being a huge benefit to your lifestyle.

Many people like to extend their homes with the addition of a Conservatory. In theory this is a great idea, you can enjoy your garden under shelter and have a new usable room to your property.

Unfortunately, in reality most conservatories are not used as they are extremely cold in the winter months and on the hot summer days they are as hot as an oven.

A Glass Veranda offers a unique kind of extension to your home that is similar to the conservatory in many ways. You are able to enjoy your garden under shelter but you do not have to suffer the extreme heat that a conservatory generates. A Glass Veranda also allows you get fresh air whilst still offering shelter.

If you enjoy outdoor living then a Glass Veranda can offer you shelter all year round. Additions such as heaters can keep you warm on colder days, and ambient lighting makes a great addition for the night times.

When the sun gets extremely hot, addition shading systems can be added to the roof of your Glass Veranda. using conservatory roof blinds or Sun Awnings you can create a comfortable are of shade to enjoy outdoors.

People use their Glass Veranda for a whole host of applications. Some want to be sheltered whilst reading a book outside. others create a whole dining are with barbeque to ensure that they can dine alfresco even if the weather lets you down.

With contemporary and tradional styled Glass Verandas available there is a suitable product for any home owner.

Certainly here in the UK a Glass Veranda is an excellent product for those who love to enjoy their garden, even in the inconsistent British weather.

As with anything, as technology improves, more can be achieved with products and this is certainly true of the Glass Veranda – rather than considering the glass veranda to be just a glass shelter above you, it can now be considered more like an additional room in your home. This is thanks to the use of halogen heater lamps that keep you warm outside even when the weather lets us down.

In addition to the halogen heaters a Sun Awning can be installed over the roof of the Glass Veranda to provide shade in the summer months – (assuming of course we have a summer here in the UK again!) . The glass veranda then achieves something no other product can achieve

• Glass Verandas provide protection from the rain all year around
• A Glass Veranda provides protection from the sun all year round
• Glass Verandas provide protection from the cold all year round
• A Glass Veranda gives you the ability to sit outside all year round

The Glass Veranda has other uses besides purely a home improvement product. Commercial premises such as pubs and restaurants can at last create a permanent outdoor shelter to utilise their outside space all year round – this is fantastic news for the smokers who have to suffer harsh weather conditions for their habit now. Not only for smokers – imagine being able to dine outside under a glass canopy, soaking in nature but without getting cold or wet or too hot!

The only negative about the Glass Veranda is it’s initial cost – they generally seem to be rather on the expensive side. However if you take into account the benefits, the cost can quickly be offset. Not only this, a Glass Veranda is a permanent structure and therefore improves your overall property value.

Glass verandas, sometimes known as glass atriums are a great way of enjoying being outside whist having protection from the great British weather. Not only can your glass veranda provide you with shelter from the rain but you can also install awnings or exterior conservatory blinds on top to give you protection from both the sun and the rain.

As talked about in previous posts here, many people buy sun awnings for rain protection. Often this leads to awnings breaking under the weight of the water storing on them. By erecting a solid glass veranda you will not have this worry again.

The downside of having a glass veranda installed is the cost. You really would be looking at spending a minimum of £8000 even for the smallest of glass verandas. With sizes spanning many many metres the prices could escalate up to £20,000. Having said that, trials have shown that installing a glass veranda will add value to your property, perhaps not right away with the current financial climate, though why not relax and enjoy your glass veranda and cash in on your investment when the markets begin to settle.

Think of those summer barbecues where  everything is brought to a halt when it starts raining. Think of that garden furniture that you just don’t want to leave outside due to weather – all this can be resolved by these attractive glass verandas.

INTERESTED IN A GLASS VERANDA?  Check Glass Verandas from Nationwide