Gone are the days of white-framed conservatories - homeowners are now embracing darker hues to create striking garden room extensions.
Deep, dramatic interiors have certainly risen in popularity in recent years, and it seems our love of dark colours has spread to the exterior of our properties too, as more people are opting for shades of black when it comes to painting their orangeries and garden room extensions.
A modern glazed extension can breathe new life into a tired area of your property, creating a bright and spacious open-plan living space that can be enjoyed all year round. Classic shades of white have long been the traditional colour of choice when it comes to conservatories and garden room extensions, however, Jonathan Hey, founder of Essex-based company, Westbury Garden Rooms, explains how homeowners are now seeking a more striking finish to their glazed extension projects: “We are seeing a notable increase in the number of customers requesting black shades of paint for the outside joinery of their glazed extension in order to make a statement, and to add a real ‘wow’ factor finish.”
An aesthetic choice
The use of black paint might at first sound a little two-dimensional, but there are hundreds of variations to choose from; jet blacks, charcoal blacks, navy blues, dark pewters, or mossy hunter greens can all give your exterior a sense of elegance. You’ll also find that in the bright sunlight, the tonal hues within your chosen paint will come into their own, further enhancing the aesthetics of your glazed extension.
Installing an orangery or garden room can be a popular way of increasing the sense of light and space within a property, and so many feel that incorporating dark colours within the design of their glazed extension will, in fact, have the opposite effect. However, the introduction of a dark framework can create beautiful contrast and definition, which in turn, makes the natural light flooding your garden room or orangery stand out all the more.
Darker joinery can also complement the architectural style of your existing property. For example, navy blues and charcoal blacks deliver a timeless charm against the rusty, red brick of period properties. On the other hand, strong, black lines can help showcase the clean structural simplicity of modern properties to create a sharp, contemporary look.
A practical choice
Up until recently, using darker colours to cover exterior joinery was not a practical solution. Due to high exposure to natural sunlight, the dark paint would often fade and lose its luster far sooner than a lighter alternative. Darker colours are also great absorbers of heat, causing the paintwork to crack and peel.
However, thanks to the development of high-performance paint finishes containing greater pigment content, homeowners no longer have to worry about unsightly peeling or tired and faded paintwork ruining their home’s exterior. Coating your joinery in a water based, low-gloss, microporous product will also ensure your orangery is well protected against UV exposure, weather conditions, and mould.
Of course, to ensure a level of quality that stands the test of time, the timber itself is equally important. Engineered timbers, such as Accoya®, are extremely durable materials that will not warp or swell over the years causing damage to your paintwork.
Whether you prefer to keep things traditional or bring some dark and daring shades of black to your property, by carefully selecting a sturdy and hard-wearing timber teamed with a high-pigment paint product, you can ensure your orangery or garden room is strong, long-lasting, and a truly beautiful extension of your home.
