"interld" wrote in message
...

A friend is about to built a hybrid of all three elements of a
Greenhouse/Glasshouse/Conservatory. I can not quite understand the
subtle differences between the three. His architect is asking for
glazing specifications.
Is Horticultural glass still used for anything or has H&S banned it?
Polycarbonate is out for fire reasons. Would safety glass allow all the
benefits of Horticultural glass without the inherent problems?




--
interld

Greenhouse and Glasshouse are interchangeable terms, both maximize light for
the growing of plants

The function of a conservatory is completely different it is literally to
conserve plants that would otherwise die and it is often only a temporary
home for them, the earliest conservatories had no glass but were niches in
walls over which sack curtains were lowered in cold weather.
So they are basically plant spaces not people spaces

To be a proper conservatory there are several key features that are often
ignored and left out by modern installers who are usually just providing a
hard to heat but light room extension.
these are
Massive amounts of ventilation including roof vents (often all the window
sashes open)
Roof slope of around 43 degrees for optimal heat penetration in the cooler
half of the year
A masonry base wall of around 2 feet in height to keep the floor area cool,
the floor needs to be tiled so it can be flooded with water.

It does not have to be attached to the house but it is convenient for it to
be, and this also helps to keep it frost free. Where they are free standing
they nearly always have a back wall to provide thermal mass.
It is essential that it has a water supply and very useful for it to have
and outdoor power supply.
It should not be heated to the same standard as the house, houses are too
hot and dry for plants in winter.

There is nothing wrong with ignoring some or all of the above just don't
call it a conservatory!
:~)


--
Charlie, Gardening in Cornwall
Holders of National Collections of Clematis viticella
and Lapageria rosea cvs
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk