Conservatories For All

When homeowners decide to build a conservatory onto their home, they are left with a variety of decisions.  They should in advance plan the use they intend to make of the additional space, because this will have a bearing on the size, location and possibly the style of the structure.  In addition they will have to decide on which materials to use in the construction.  We will look here at the benefits of a hardwood conservatory, as against the other two main types of conservatories that are on the market, uPVC and aluminium conservatories.

Wooden conservatories are very attractive and given the individual nature of wood, no two conservatories that are made from timber will be the same.    Bespoke hardwood conservatories are usually top of the range products, but conventional timber conservatories can be individualised by the introduction of wood panelling and carvings, etc.

If a homeowner has experience in construction matters, DIY hardwood conservatories are available to purchase and by constructing your own conservatory you could save a lot of the money it would cost you to get a company to erect the structure on your property.

Hardwood timber is an excellent structural material for a wooden conservatory.  The most common types of hardwood timber that are used are mahogany, sapele and mahogany, but there are others that are used also such as idigbo and iroko.

Some hardwood timbers such as beech are not suitable for external construction work and so are not used in conservatories.  One of the main reasons that some wood is more suitable than others is the oil content of the specific timbers.  A higher oil content will provide protection to the wood from the elements.  Further oiling of these timbers is acceptable for decorative purposes, but the frequency of the application will depend on whether you want a fresh or a bleached look in the timber.

Cheaper timbers can be used in the construction of a conservatory, but these timbers will need additional protection from wet and damp weather.  With the improvements in technology, many wood stains provide excellent protection if applied every 5 – 6 years to timber.  Micro porous paints and stains will protect timbers from rotting also.

It is important to consider the environment when you are purchasing a conservatory and hardwood conservatories should be sourced from manufacturers that use wood from managed forests.  In this way the harvesting of the timber is monitored and followed by tree planting and the overall effect on the forests of the world is positive.

In some instances, a conservatory made from hardwood may not suit the environment in which it is being placed.  With a more modern residence, a uPVC or aluminium structure might fit in better whereas timber structures work well with older buildings.  In fact if your residence is a protected structure, or listed due to its architectural prominence, timber will most likely be the preferred choice of the planning officials you will be dealing with in order to get permission to build a conservatory onto your home.

Before you committ to any particular type of conservatory it will pay you to research timber conservatories online.  If you wish to narrow down the search somewhat, you can enter such terms as ‘hardwood conservatories UK’ or ‘Hardwood conservatories Ireland’, depending on your location.

A hardwood conservatory will be less hard on the environment to produce than conservatories made from uPVC or aluminium, will be actually beneficial to forestry planting if sourced properly and will give you and your family many years of comfort and spacious living.

It is very difficult if not impossible to give an answer to the question that many homeowners ask, which is, ‘How much does a conservatory cost?’  Conservatories prices vary greatly, as there are a large amount of factors involved in calculating the final figure you may be asked to pay.

The main piece of advice that you should keep in mind is to treat every quote you receive separately, whether they be for an aluminium, uPVC or a hardwood conservatory , try to get quotes that compare like with like and do not get rushed into making a commitment due to the attentions of over eager salespeople.

The most inexpensive conservatories that will be available to the homeowner are probably those in the DIY category.  If you are, or have been involved in the construction business, or if you are an enthusiastic DIY person, then this is certainly a route you should explore.  An entire conservatory kit can be delivered to your home and you can yourself, or possible preferably with the help of friends, erect the structure on your property and you will undoubtedly save a lot of money on installation costs.

However, be warned that erecting a solid conservatory structure is not as simple as it sounds and there are several things that you must consider first.  Planning permission is certainly an issue that can sometimes get overlooked in the rush to build and enjoy that conservatory you have dreamed of.  Planning is often not required for structures under a certain size, and especially if they are being erected to the rear of the residence, but you really should check this out with your local planning department first.  You may find that your local authotity favours particular types of conservatories, such as wooden conservatories, especially if your home happens to be a listed building due to its architectural importance, or for some other reason.

A conservatory will need a proper foundation, if it is to stand up properly to the rigours of harsh inclement weather and family living.  Many casual tradespeople think that it is adequate to put down a very light concrete base if you are erecting a conservatory.  This may suffice for several years, but over time you may regret not installing a foundation similar to the type that you would lay if you were building a traditional extension.

Another issue that needs to be studied and addressed is the possible alteration of existing drainage pipes and manholes that may be in the way of your proposed extension.  A temptation may be to build over these pipes and to leave the manholes in place, but again in time a burst or flooded pipe or manhole could leave you regretting the fact that you did not do the job properly.

All of these factors and more have to be considered if you are thinking of purchasing the sunroom yourself.  There are people out there that purchase trade price conservatories, get friends to work with them and in the end they have a quality structure that cost them a fraction of what they would have had to pay if they went through the normal channels.

The lowest conservatory price quote that you get to purchase and erect a conservatory is not necessarily the best price.  A supplier may cut the quality of the materials that it takes to produce a conservatory in order to be able to quote very keen conservatory prices to customers.  It is important to engage with a reputable firm when you are looking for quotes for your conservatory.  It is easy for a firm to make wild claims about after sales service and 10 year warranties if they are unlikely to be in business that long.

If you are in Great Britain you can look for firms that are registered with FENSA which is a self regulating body which was set up by the Glass and Glazing Federation and is wholly recognised within the industry.

A trusted and established company will be able to send out salespeople to your home and they can offer you advice on design layouts and specifications that will be specific to your needs, without putting you under the pressure to purchase that less professional companies may try to put you under.

The internet is an excellent source of information when you are trying to navigate through different conservatories prices.  If you are flexible regarding what type of sunroom you might select you can wait to see what might come on offer in a conservatory sale by a manufacturer.  Go online, enter a term such as conservatories price followed by your country such as UK or Ireland, depending on your geographical location and you will get plenty of conservatory manufacturing companies to choose from in your area.  Internet forums are also places that you can ask more specific questions of fellow homeowners and experts in the field of conservatories.

If you are looking for a conservatory for sale then you will already have decided that your property needs one.  There could be various reasons for this.  You may need the extra living space for a living room, dining area, a kitchen extension, playroom or study.  In fact there are a huge range of uses that a properly placed conservatory can be put to. 

Before you start looking in a conservatory sale at the various types of conservatories for sale, there are a few actions that you can take that will make your job of selecting the correct one easier.

One of the first things that you should consider is the use that you want to make of the additional space that you will have.  Some homeowners decide to perhaps purchase a sunroom in a conservatory sale  or build a conservatory without having a clear idea of its intended use and this can lead to problems such as having a conservatory built in the wrong location or it being the wrong size.

When you have a clear idea of what you are going to do with your conservatory when it is built, you can get ideas of the styles of conservatories you favor by looking at other conservatories built in your area, browsing through home design magazines and looking at internet conservatory sites all the time narrowing down the type and style of conservatory you favor.  This could end up being a Victorian or Edwardian conservatory, a sunroom style or even a bespoke conservatory that you design yourself or with the help of an architect.

There is also the option of purchasing one of the many used conservatories for sale on the market, which could be available on internet sites such as eBay.  If you are not in a particular hurry to get a conservatory you will from time to time come across manufacturing companies that are holding a conservatory sale in order to sell off excess stock.  A conservatories sale such as this can throw up some really good bargains if you are willing to be flexible as to the style of structure you want.

Before you really commence your search and commit to spending money on a conservatory, it is always best to check out whether or not you will require planning permission for the conservatory that you have decided you would like.

Conservatories are in the main constructed using one of three structural materials.  They are aluminum, uPVC and hardwood .  Wooden conservatories are suitable in some situations and other materials are better in other locations.  in fact each of these materials has advantages over the others and it is best to take your time and select which ever material suits you best.  With regard to glazing there are many different options available to you when it comes to choosing a glazing for the conservatory.

Conservatories prices vary hugely, depending on whether you want a standard glazing or whether you want a glazing type that has special properties, such as self cleaning abilities, or heat reflective capacity.  Again choosing the glazing is a matter of personal choice after careful consideration of all of the options.  Conservatory roofs in particular need to be considered when you are looking at your glazing options.

The main thing to keep in mind is that you should not be rushed into purchasing a conservatory, simply because you are in the middle of a warm spell, or because the summer is fast approaching.  Do your research, consider your options carefully and look at the various choices of conservatories for sale.  In that way you are more likely to end up with a conservatory that is beneficial to your home and family.

Most keen gardeners either already have a greenhouse, or wish they had one.  Whether it is a uPVC double glazing construction or a simple timber lean to greenhouse made from old windows, without a greenhouse in your garden, your gardening is limited to summer days and possibly some winter ones if you wrap up really well and are happy to trudge around in sloppy ground.

Even then, very little much grows in a garden in the winter, so people that enjoy gardening and want to extend the pleasure they get from their hobby, love having a greenhouse that they can work in during the winter months and use to help protect delicate seeds and plants and to ripen their produce in the spring and summer.  Of all of the different types of greenhouses on the market, a lean to greenhouse fits the bill for most gardeners, as it has several advantages that other greenhouses do not have.

1.    Lean to greenhouses are attached to another structure or wall and very often this structure is your home.  There is something very attractive to having a greenhouse close to your back door.  It makes it easier to get to in the winter and is close by in the summer if you want some salad items or other vegetables for the kitchen table.
2.    Whereas large conservatories do need a very good foundation in order to ensure that they are safe and secure, a neat conservatory that is attached to the home can easily stand on a light slab, perhaps even on an existing patio area.  This helps to cut down on purchase and erection costs of a garden greenhouse.
3.    Having a greenhouse attached to a solid wall has the advantage of enabling the wall to give shelter to delicate plants during the hot summer months.  Older types of lean to greenhouses always used to have a brick wall on one side and the brick was an excellent conductor of heat, helping to keep the greenhouse warm during the winter months.  With a free standing greenhouse, whether it be a wooden conservatory type or made from uPVC, you have to rely more on artificial heating systems and ventilation in order to achieve the desired temperature for your plants.
4.    Of course, if you have an existing wall for one side of your planned greenhouse, you are already saving on construction costs as against having to construct an entire greenhouse form scratch.
5.    In addition to the materials required for the construction of your conservatory, it will be much easier to run heating pipes and electrical wiring from your residence to a lean to greenhouse, if it is attached to your home, rather than a stand alone structure. This can save you a lot of money if you do not have to install a separate boiler system or run heating pipes and wiring over a distance.

A lean to greenhouse affords all gardeners to have a place where they can relax and enjoy their pastime at any time of the year and which can be constructed at a reasonable price.

When a homeowner decides to construct a conservatory and goes in search of keen conservatory prices from manufacturers and installers for the project, he or she will find that there is a huge variation of conservatory prices available.  As with many products however, this should not be all that surprising, as there is also a large variation in the production quality of conservatories, between the materials being used and the craftsmanship employed in construction.

There are various differences between timber conservatories and uPVC and aluminium structures in terms of pricing of materials, maintenance required, etc and these factors should all be considered before you make any decisions.

Treat bargain conservatory prices with caution – the price you are being quoted could be an excellent price, but before you accept it consider the following points to see if the conservatory you are considering is up to standard.

1. Material Quality

Some homeowners consider a conservatory to be an add-on to the home that can be made of light or inferior products.  This is a mistake and you have to consider that as it is connected to the residence, any heat loss from the conservatory will affect the main residence also.  A properly insulated structure will actually help improve the insulation of the entire residence.  Selecting a conservatory with a light window frame could well lead to problems in time, as these window frames are actually operating as walls also and are therefore subject to pressure during times of high wind and other inclement weather conditions.  If you are considering a timber conservatory, be prepared to pay for a hardwood conservatory, as the quality of the timber has to be good if your structure is to last a long time.

Added to this is the fact conservatories can be reinforced or fully reinforced depending on the quality of the structure.  A reinforced conservatory has sections that are over 600mm long strengthened, whereas a fully reinforced conservatory has the entire frame strengthened.  A Conservatory price will obviously vary depending on the quality and strength of the framework of the structure.

2. Security

Once again you have to bear in mind that if your sunroom is going to be adjoining your residence, then factors such as security are as relevant to the extension as to the rest of the home.  Ensure that the locks that will be used in the frames and doors are of good quality.  It is difficult to put a price on good security for your home.  Quality uPVC frames and doors will have multi-point locking systems set into the frames and these, along with double glazing, should offer excellent security for your extension.

3. Foundations

Purchasing the sunroom from the manufacturer is separate from site preparation and the construction of the foundations.  Again, some people consider a conservatory to be a light structure and decide to save some money by putting in very light foundations.  Again be aware it is going to be part of your home and that any future structural difficulties will affect the entire residence.  You should employ the traditional types of foundations that you would use if you were building a proper extension.

4. Temperature Control

A properly insulated sunroom or solarium will help to keep the temperature within the structure regulated, and that applies to keeping heat out as well as helping to retain heat.  If you are using a roof made of polycarbonate it is important to select one that is of reasonable thickness.  Again a conservatories price can be kept down if you choose a polycarbonate roof with a thickness of say 16 mm, but as the standard thickness is 25mm, you would do better to have a roof of at least this thickness.  This will mean that your sunroom will be in a better position to retain heat in the colder months and reflect heat in the summer.  In the long term this should save you money on the excessive usage of heating and cooling systems in order to maintain temperature control.

5. Conservatory Style

There can be offers on conservatories for sale at various times, especially if a company is trying to offload a conservatory style that has not sold very well.  In order to save money you might be tempted to purchase on of these structures in a conservatory sale.  However you should study the details of this offer closely and consider the impactof the conservatory on your residence when it is constructed.

If you want to look up conservatories prices for your particular country online, you can narrow down the search results by inserting your country into the search – search under ‘conservatories Ireland price’ for example.

If you are considering building a conservatory onto your home, then there are a variety of factors that you want to take into account.  When you are finished you want to have a quality conservatory that will bring a new dimension to your existing residence.  In order to do this homeowners have to plan ahead and make decisions with regard to the style and shape of the conservatories they want, the size they require and the materials that they want it to be made of.

Above all you need to choose a supplier and installer that is trustworthy and reliable.  The glazing that you select for your sunroom is also important and  you should get a double glazing quote for the structure that you propose to build.

In this article we will discuss these aspects of building conservatories and help you through the decision process.

One of the most important items that you have to consider when you are intending building a conservatory is whether or not you need planning permission.  As a rough guide you can look around at your neighbours and if some of them have a conservatory built onto their property, then the chances are that you will have no difficulties with the planning department.

Do not take anything for granted and it is also advisable that you do not leave this aspect of the project to your supplier / installer.  If you are in doubt about the necessity of getting planning, contact your local council and ask.

There are many different styles of conservatories, and Victorian Conservatories and lean to conservatories are just two types, albeit two of the most popular types on the market.  Each conservatory style has advantages that may suit your residence or way of living.  An Edwardian conservatory for example, makes better use of floor space than a Victorian conservatory.  You can consider the shape of the conservatory you desire under this heading also.

Conservatories come in many different sizes.  They can be added on to the rear of your residence, or may be wrapped around a corner to the side and rear of the home.  The size is whatever you want it to be, but obviously planning permission again raises its head.  The bigger the project you are contemplating the more likely it is that you will require planning.

You can construct a conservatory from many different materials.  Traditional types of conservatories were constructed from metal and timber and these products are still in use today, with a hardwood conservatory being a quality option, but in more recent times uPVC conservatories are more popular, due to their durability, thermal capacity and the fact that uPVC conservatories are relatively inexpensive to construct.

The materials that your conservatory and particularly your conservatory roof, is constructed from will be terribly important, as you will be hoping to be able to use the conservatory in the colder winter months and for this reason it will need to be properly insulated.

One of the most important factors that you have to get right is the choice of supplier and installer that you are going to select.  Ask any neighbours and friends that have and a conservatory added to there property if they would recommend their installer.  Create a short list of suppliers and installers that you have heard good reports about.

Go online and know your facts before you start dealing with conservatory salespeople. And do not rush into deciding who will get your business.  If you have building experience , or are a seasoned home improvement enthusiast, you may consider a DIY conservatory, however you really do need to have some idea of what you are about.

All of the above points are very relevant when you are considering building a conservatory.  There are plenty of self build conservatories out there if you are into home improvement and feel you have the ability to construct your own.  There are also many quality conservatories to be purchased – you just have to find the one that is suitable for your needs.

You had a dream of adding a conservatory on to your home.  You chose a conservatory style, discussed design at length, put up with quite a bit of domestic disruption and finally you have it – the beautiful conservatory you have been waiting for.  All you need to do now is to get the decor right and you will have an addition to your home that you will be proud of and which will become a very comfortable focal point of your home.

There are quite a few strands involved in decorating a conservatory and they all should be given some consideration.  Wall colour (of the non-glazed walls), floor type, blinds, furniture, lighting and plants will all play a part in getting the atmosphere right in your conservatory.  Thought also has to be given to the function that you see your conservatory serving, be it as a leisure or relaxing room, a dining area, an office area, or perhaps a mixture of quite a few activities.

Furniture For Conservatories:
Your conservatory, due to the nature of it’s construction, may be subjected to greater variations in temperature change, sunlight and condensation levels than the rest of your home and your selection of furniture should reflect this.

There are many types of furniture such as rattan, cane and metal furniture that can withstand a lot of sunlight, temperature changes and possible condensation without becoming damaged.  Furniture such as all weather resin wicker patio furniture has an advantage over metal in that their use in the making of furniture means that the furniture is light and easily moved.  However metal conservatory furniture such as cast aluminium patio furniture can be softened with cushions and throws and is very attractive and solid looking in a conservatory.  Soft and hardwood timber are other furniture options.

Not only should your interior furniture compliment your conservatory, but attractive outdoor patio furniture, such as tables and chairs and patio umbrellas should help to give your conservatory an attractive, lived in appearance.

Choose furniture that compliments the style of conservatory that you have built and also the use that you intend the conservatory to be for.

Floors For Conservatories:
There are many different floor types that can be chosen for a conservatory and they range from hard wearing tiled floors to carpeted areas that can be very plush.  The main consideration when choosing a floor is the intended use you have for your conservatory.  If you intend the conservatory to be an extension to the garden, with kids coming in from the pool, pets wandering in and out and general mayhem and fun being had by all, then go for a hard wearing floor that is easy to clean.  You don’t want to be the spoilsport at the party, telling everyone to take off their shoes or they will spoil the beautiful pine flooring, now do you?

On the other hand if you have a quality, double glazed, uPVC conservatory that will have little or no condensation and good quality blinds to keep out the strong sunlight, then feel free to put down that luscious walnut floor or the deep pile carpet that will wow your dinner guests as they sit around your beautiful dining table with fantastic views of your garden.

You see, the options are myriad.  Just keep in mind what will be the most comfortable and suitable floor for you and your family.

Blinds For Conservatories:
Your wall will mainly consist of glazing and perhaps your roof also, so it is safe to say that you really should fit conservatory blinds in your conservatory.  My parents have a conservatory and they never had blinds fitted.  But their conservatory faces north, so sunlight is not so much of an issue and they also look out onto a walled in and very secluded garden, so privacy is not an issue either.

During daylight hours, you may not mind your conservatory being open for all to see, but at night time, when your conservatory is lit up from within, you may rather be able to let your blinds down in order to give you extra seclusion.

Conservatory blinds for windows and conservatory roof blinds come in a wide range of colours and styles.  They can be operated manually or remotely. They can be made of material, be pleated, or can be wooden blinds and can be treated to help repel the sun’s heat.  Bottom up blinds are also becoming very popular for use in caonservatories.  The choice is huge and can be difficult to make, as the blinds you select will impact greatly on the ambiance you create.

Lighting For Conservatories:
Lighting again will help create a mood in your conservatory and you may wish that mood to be relaxing and subdued, vibrant and lively, or something in between .

Conservatory lighting is available in the same huge range as interior domestic lighting is available – anything is possible and the one fact to consider is that you will most likely not need any lighting during the daytime, even on the dullest days, due to the amount of glazing in the walls and possibly also the ceiling.

Plants For Conservatories:
Plants in a conservatory are exquisite and in many ways are the reason conservatories came to be.  You can brighten up any room with a nice array of bright flowers and healthy green plants and conservatories are no different.

There are some factors to be taken into consideration when choosing plants for your conservatory.  The  amount of space you have should be an important consideration.  Tropical rubber plants look lovely in a large conservatory for example, but could make a smaller conservatory appear cramped.

When decorating a conservatory the type of flooring in your conservatory has to be considered.  Ideally if you want to have a lot of plants in your conservatory, a tiled floor would be the most sensible option as plants do like a lot of water, especially in warm weather.

Finally in considering the fact that a lot of plants do like water, a thought should go as to whether you will be there to give them a regular watering.  If you are away from home quite a bit, perhaps you should confine the plants in your conservatory to hardy types that do not need a lot of care and attention.

There are many ways to approach the selecting and building of a conservatory for your home.  We have already listed some tips that may be of help to you in ‘A Dozen Conservatory Tips – Part 1‘.  Here are a few more.

Tip 7: Make the effort to match the materials of your conservatory to your existing residence.  This will help bond the two and make the new conservatory blend in to the property, be it a gull wing conservatory, a gable conservatory or whatever style you favour.  That is not to say that if your existing residence has rattling timber windows, that you should follow suit in your conservatory, there are many beautiful uPVC conservatories on the market, but such things as old brickwork, with a bit of search in your local salvage yard, could be matched and it would be well worth the effort.  If you see en excellent offer in a conservatories sale for a sunroom, be sure that it will fit in with your residence before you purchase on a whim.

Tip 8: Consider very carefully what you envisage the end product to be used for. In your finished conservatory, do you hope to be relaxing in your armchair everyday, reading your newspaper?  Perhaps you see the conservatory as studio or office, or some other place that you can work.  Maybe it is going to be that room that you can cordon off the kids into, so that you can keep a safe eye on them.  The choice is yours, but if you have a very good idea now what you expect from your conservatory, there is less chance that you will make an error with regard to size, style, position of doorways, type of lighting, etc.

The Beautiful Character Of Old Wooden Conservatories. Image courtesy of www.leantoconservatories.com

Tip 9: As well as marking out on the ground the area of the proposed conservatory, try to imaging what it will be like in the conservatory when you are sitting down, and standing up.  Better still get a chair and sit down in the area you have marked out and be sure you will be still able to see all you want to see if for instance there are dwarf walls around the lower portion of your proposed conservatory.  Why not get a few sheets of cardboard and build some imaginary sections of walls if you really want to be sure. Now is the time to get it right.

Tip 10: When your conservatory is completed, you hope to make a lot of use of it and it will be part of your residence for many years to come. Following on from our point above that now is the time to get it right we might say, ‘Spend what you can on building your conservatory’.  There are obviously different qualities of materials out there with regard to uPVC, timber and perhaps most importantly, glazing. uPVC conservatories with quality glazing will protect you and your family from the sun’s harmful rays and also help insulate your conservatory.   Spend the money on insulation now and you will save money on cooling and heating equipment later.

Tip 11: Don’t’ forget that people should insure conservatories adequately whether they are custom built or self build conservatories, in the same way that they insure the rest of their residence.

Tip 12: Ventilation is vitally important to conservatories, both for your comfort and to ensure that there is not a build up of condensation.  There are various methods of ensuring that your conservatory is adequately ranging from the humble vents to luxurious air conditioning.

There are many other suggestions out there that you could consider when selecting and building a conservatory.  A bit of research on different types of conservatories will yield a wealth of information that you will be able to put to good use as you start working on creating your beautiful living space.

There are many ways to approach the selecting and building of a conservatory for your home.  Below are listed 12 of our favourite tips that you could consider before and while you are building a conservatory.  Choosing to build a conservatories, whether it be a Victorian conservatories or a lantern roof conservatories, is a major decision because undoubtedly it is your hope to have many years of enjoyment from your investment.

Tip 1: When you are listening to the supplier telling you what the size of your conservatory will be, be sure to check whether he is talking about internal or external measurements.  I know that suppliers love to talk in terms of external measurements, and why wouldn’t they?  But it is the floor area that you are interested in, and there is quite a difference between the two.

Tip 2: In your enthusiasm for the project, do not forget that you may have planning issues with regard to building your conservatory.  Not necessarily, but maybe.  For your own sake find out whether or not you need planning permission before commencing to erect your Edwardian, double hipped, B-shaped conservatory!  Do not take the word of your installer on this.

Attractive T-shaped Conservatories. Image courtesy of www.taylormadeconservatories.com

A look around at what your neighbours have erected in terms of extensions and conservatories will give you an idea of what is acceptable in your area.  However the best way to find out about this issue is to ask.  Call in to your local planning authority or write to them, letting them know what you are planning and ask them if you need planning permission for a conservatory.  If you get a positive answer, ask for it to be put in writing and keep a copy of the reply – this avoids any problems later.

Tip 3: This is relevant when you are building anything, a residence, an extension, or in this case, a conservatory.  Mark out on the ground with pegs and a string, or a shake of lime, the internal walls of the conservatory.  This will give you a good on the ground idea of what you are going to have and the amount of space there will be for furniture, etc.

Tip 4: A tricky one this.  It is easy to make such wise statements as– ‘Do not necessarily go for the cheapest option’ and ‘One gets what one pays for’.  It is highly tempting for anyone to go for the cheapest quote or to go for the least expensive sunroom on offer in a conservatories sale, and they probably should not, unless they have a bit of knowledge in building matters, or unless they spotted the builder taking off his balaclava before he came to their front door. Just kidding!

There is no doubt that the cheapest quote you receive may contain some (or quite a few) hidden tripwires. If you are unsure about the differences between various quotes, you could consider getting someone, perhaps now retired, that you know who has some experience in building matters to look over the quotes for you for a small fee.

Know what you absolutely want in your conservatory, make a list of those items and make these the non-negotiable issues.  When you want the conservatory finished by, may well be one of these issues – ‘I know I said I would be finished for the summer – but I didn’t say which summer’ is not something you want to hear from your installer.

Tip 5: This is a bit technical, but we are told it is a very good point.  Insert a ‘cavity tray’ into the wall above the level of where your conservatory roof is going to be.  This will prevent rain driven moisture from getting down the inside of your cavity walls and then re-appearing in your conservatory.

Tip 6: When you are planning a conservatory try to place doors so that your conservatory does not take on the appearance of a hallway. We have seen what should be beautiful living areas ruined, because the all of the furniture is shoved back against the sides so as to allow traffic pass through. Above all, your conservatory is a room.  If you are building a beautiful pavilion conservatory simply to have four doors to different places, then just building a corridor might be a cheaper option.

If you would like to continue reading our tips, please follow on to ‘A Dozen Conservatory Tips – Part 2‘.