The words "Ireland" and I "sun" are not things that 1 people readily associate 1 with each other, but, conltrary to belief, our near' est star does occasionally shine down upon our green isle. To get ' the best out of our occasionally inclement weather, people are increasingly turning towards the idea of building a conservatory or a sun room onto the back of their houses, thus maximising the effect that the sun has on their lives. Once the sole domain of the wealthy, sun rooms and conserva- tories are becoming the norm for people from all walks of life, whether they are urban or rural dwellers.

We have moved quite a distance from the image of the broken down, flimsy glass house tacked onto a semid, in constant need of repair that never seems to improve it. Modern conservatories are as much a part of a proprty as a kitchen or bedroom, and are not merely the seasonal vanities of the past. Because of advances in building technology, as well as a willingness to invest fully in the rooms, they can now be used all year round, in weather i that previously would have either been too hot or too cold for most ' people.

Modern conservatories are built to last. For example, the roof of an average conservatory would incorporate between a half and a ton of glass, and would be able to withstand 100 mph winds and up to four feet of snow (and don't say it couldn't happen, even on the same day in this country). But, much more than strength, they have to be capable of being used every day, even when it is blister- inglyhot orihiveringly cold outside.

According to Fari Farioarz, franchisee and general manager of Four Seasons Ireland, there are four "nos" when it comes to build ing a conservatory or sun room. These are no cold in the winter, no overheating in the summer, no glare from the sun, and no ultra violet light, which, more than direct light, contributes to fabric fading. To facilitate this, Four Seasons have developed their "Wonder Glass" double glazing system, which, without tinting the glass, offers a perfectly liveable environment all year round, i with no glare or UV penetration. ' The glass is set in maintenance free thermally broken aluminium or wood, keeping the outside temperatures outside while allowing the room inside to remain cosy and habitable.

When dost people think of a conservatory or sun room, they find it difficult to see past the installation costs. However, the reality is that a sun room can actually be a money saver, in that it can be heated or cooled naturaly, without the need for artificial environment controlling. The room itself stays warm without overheating and can also warm other parts of the house. Many people get rid of the French doors or windows leading on to a conervatory, leaving an open plan area from the main part of the house into the sun room, and giv ing them what Farioarz describes as "an all year round integrated open living space."

Adding a sun room or conserva- tory can be an even bigger invest ment in terms of property prices. Unlike most purchases, which . depreciate as they get older, a sun room will increase in value in tanem with the property market. Thus, a 100 square foot sun room will increase the value of your house by about £15,000, while in Ballsbridge the increase could be up to £40,000 for the same size room, due to the value of square footage in the two areas.

Conservatories are becoming an important part of a lot of houses in this country. In most cases there is no planning permission needed, and they can really brighten up the back of any proprty And brighten the lives of those inside them.