Conservatory vs. Folding Gazebo in Winter

Conservatory - When It Pays Off

Conservatories or wintergardens are a particularly attractive design element that allow indoor comforts to be brought outdoors. Nevertheless, they have characteristics that make them only suitable in certain cases. Let's see which ones.

Winter gardens for wide outdoor spaces

Conservatories are particularly well suited to large spaces, in which case they are the perfect complement to better define areas and give the garden a well-defined style. There must therefore be enough space for both a conservatory and a completely open-air relaxation area. Permanent structures are in fact an excellent shelter from the weather, but do not allow you to fully enjoy sunny days. If you live in a place where it often snows, we do not recommend wintergardens as the accumulation of snow on the flat roof would compromise its stability and the formation of ice could wear out the glazing.
Even in particularly warm areas, wintergardens should be considered carefully as the glazing will let through all the sunlight and heat in summer, creating a greenhouse effect and consequently an unlivable area, and they provide no protection against UV radiation. 
In mild and gloomy climates, on the other hand, well-insulated winter gardens are a good choice, as they will protect you well from the weather and allow you to relax while enjoying the view of the garden or grove. 
All these considerations obviously also apply to all those who want to use their winter garden as a terrace for their bar or restaurant.

Conservatories as a greenhouses for plants

Conservatories are actually the evolution of greenhouses thought to allow summer plants to survive in winter. For this very reason, if space permits, conservatories are perfect as a green oasis. Be aware that if the temperatures are too cold, this protection may not be enough. Moreover, being a completely covered space you will have to keep watering them even during the winter, but you can use your imagination and invent some rainwater recycling system, or look for some conservatories with an already integrated system.

Winter Garden vs Folding Gazebo

A smart alternative to conservatories are folding gazebos. Here is a list of situations in which a gazebo is most suitable and why:

• Limited space

If space is limited, building a conservatory would mean limiting the outdoor area even more. A folding gazebo, on the other hand, available in several different sizes, is a removable structure that can be assembled and disassembled as required. This means that you do not have to give up even one centimetre of space and have maximum flexibility.

• Very hot summers

Folding gazebos allow perfect ventilation while protecting against UV radiation. In contrast to conservatories, folding tents will not create any greenhouse effect, but will provide you with a pleasant shaded area. 
If you choose premium Pirontex® fabric, you can also count on extraordinary colourfastness over time, even when exposed to sunlight.

• Snowy winters

Snowy winters are no problem for those who have decided on a folding gazebo made of anodised aluminium. The structure is guaranteed against rust and can also be used in wet and snowy conditions. In the event of heavy snowfall, it will always be possible to dismantle the structure and reassemble it once the snowfall is over without the risk of it being damaged by the weight of the snow. In the event of light snowfall or rain, the impermeability of the fabric will keep everything under the gazebo dry, and in the event of strong winds, it will only need to be properly anchored to the ground with one of several convenient fixing methods. The Pirontex® fabric is extremely tear-resistant, completely waterproof and perfect for covering your outdoor area in all seasons. 

Folding Gazebo for All Seasons

Folding Gazebo in Summer

Another feature of folding tents is that they can be intelligently equipped so that they can be perfectly adapted to each season. 

Particularly suitable for summer is the Royal kit, which with its elegant corner curtains will make the atmosphere pleasant during the long summer days. 
Just add a LED light kit and the evening is brightened up!

Winter folding gazebo

For winter, however, we recommend the Loden kit. Simply cover the gazebo with the warm pressed wool fabric typical of the South Tyrolean tradition, add sidewalls and change the corner curtains to build your perfect winter shelter. Add LED lights and a heater to make the atmosphere perfect and the temperature cosy. That's it and the gazebo has been transformed into a dream wintergarden! 
Thanks to the walls you will also be protected laterally from wind and weather, and you can customise them with PVC windows to let in natural light.

Snow-Resistant Folding Gazebo

Folding tents can also be used in the snow, as their anodised aluminium frame is water-resistant and not prone to rusting. There is no contraindication to using folding tents in the snow and they are also often used for skiing events and snowdays. In the event of heavy snowfall, simply dismantle the gazebo and store it until the weather improves. Assembly and disassembly takes only a minute and can be done completely on your own.

Accessories for Folding Gazebos in Winter

We have already mentioned them before, but we present them here again giving them the importance they deserve. There are several accessories that make your folding gazebo even more comfortable and versatile in winter: 

• 7 types of customisable sidewalls that protect you from wind and rain;
• a set of straps and pegs, cast iron weights or concrete weights to properly secure the gazebo to the ground;
• classic led lights for intense illumination;
• dimmable LED strips correlated with portable battery chargers that make them independent from an electrical outlet;
• and the indispensable heater that will make you forget it's winter.