Conservatories For All

If you are giving thought to building a conservatory onto your home, whether you intend to build you own conservatory or get a builder to construct it for you, it certainly will pay you to plan thoroughly before you commence to build, or to even commit to a purchase.  There are many aspects to a conservatory structure that need consideration.  The size shape and style of the sunroom you choose will all depend on your individual needs and desires.  One of the aspects of sunrooms that require special thought are conservatory roofs.

There are several reasons why choosing the correct conservatory roof is important and most of them are weather related.  No matter whether you live in a location that gets a lot of rain or one that gets plenty of sunshine, your conservatory roof will have to be up to its job if you are to have a comfortable living extension.

In actual fact most locations get a mixture of all types of weather, so your roof has to be able to withstand huge variations in temperature as well as heavy rain, frost, snow and plenty of hot sunshine during the summer months.

There are various types of roofs available for conservatories.  You can build a solid roofed structure if you wish – that would be a structure with glazed sidewalls and a slated or felted roof.  This is sometimes more appealing to homeowners that like to feel that they are sitting in a more solid structure, especially in the wintertime.  In this regard a conservatory with such a roof will appear more like a traditional extension and if constructed to a high standard and with proper guttering should cause no problems with regard to weather.

Conservatories that have glazed roofs require a different approach.  The advantage to these buildings is that they allow in tremendous amounts of light in both winter and summer and give the occupant the feeling of being in an outdoor room and closer to nature.  However planning for such a roof will need special care and attention as these roofs need to firstly be properly sealed so that they do not leak and secondly be constructed of materials that will provide protection to the inhabitants from the sun’s rays.

U.V. rays from the sun can be very damaging to both humans and to furniture if they are exposed to them for long periods.  By not having proper roofing materials that reflect the sun’s rays will also mean that the heat levels in a conservatory can build up to uncomfortable or even unbearable levels on hot days.  Homeowners that build conservatories do not want them to be unusable due to excessive heat on the best days of the summer.  A roof such as a polycarbonate conservatory roof is built to ensure the proper protection from the sun and even though roofs such as these may come at a higher price than ordinary glazed roofs, they will help protect humans from excessive exposure to harmful sunlight.

There are also solutions available to homeowners who have conservatories that were built without the benefit of such products as polycarbonate roofing.  Products such as conservatory roof insets are available and consist of inserts that can be fitted into existing roof panels to protect the conservatory interior from glare, heat and harmful rays.

What style you might select for your conservatory and its roof may depend on several factors.  If you have a home built during a certain period, you may decide to extend this style to your conservatory and you may choose a Victorian or Edwardian conservatory type.  However if you are working from a tight budget, you may elect to go for one of the lean to conservatories on the market, which are recognised to be of the most cost competitive sunroom types available.

In addition to erecting a quality roof with protective glazing a homeowner may choose to add further protection in the form of conservatory roof blinds.  Even the best roofing glazing cannot keep light from a room and there are times that you might like the daylight in your conservatory to be muted.  In addition to allowing better light control, proper blinds will also help to provide further protection against UV rays.  By entering such terms as ‘blinds conservatory ‘ into a search engine, you can get excellent advice on what types of blinds are best suited to the style of conservatory roof you have.

Conservatory roofs are perhaps the most important part of any sunroom structure, whether you are building a simple lean to greenhouse or a much more elaborate structure .  When you sit down to plan your sunroom, ensure that you are aware of all of the roofing options available to you.  Conservatories prices vary and be prepared to pay for quality roofing materials because materials that appear to be excellent value today may simply not perform well when they are installed in your roof.

It is said that one of the most attractive features of an Edwardian conservatory to the homeowner is that it is one of the conservatory styles that is most like an existing room space.  This may seem like an unusual accolade to receive, but when you consider its merits you can appreciate what is being said.

Edwardian conservatories are unpretentious in style, and because of this they are able to make more use of space than other conservatories fashioned differently, that perhaps put more store in looks over substance.

A typical conservatory of the Edwardian period is square and flat in their plan shape and they have a flat frontage also.  This seeming lack of artistic vision in the design of the structure overlooks the fact that the best way to optimise your floor space is to have a regular and uncluttered space, without any fancy corners removed that may look well, but cost the homeowner dearly when it comes to furniture placement.

Because of their excellent use of floor space, the use if one of these conservatories is an excellent idea if you do not have a very large garden and wish to minimise the amount of floor space or garden / patio space you take over with your new extension.

Edwardian conservatory prices are all of the more competitive also due to the fact that there are few frills involved in a conservatory of Edwardian design.  If you want a conservatory with trim and heavy décor then you would be better off to consider purchasing a Victorian style structure, as it was during this architectural period that ornate design was in fashion.

Due to its straightforward floor plan and design an Edwardian style conservatory is very adaptable and can be used for almost any home function ranging from a dining room, to living room to a playroom or office.

To advance the description of Edwardian conservatories somewhat we should mention here the existence of what are called Edwardian double-hipped conservatories.  These are of the same structure and layout as  regular Edwardian sunrooms or conservatories, with the only difference being in the conservatory roofs.  If you have a situation where a residence has windows at a height, which would be compromised by the presence of a conservatory, then you can build a structure with a double-hipped roof.  This means that while a regular Edwardian conservatory roof slopes upwards to the residence, in this case the roof is sloping downwards again at the rear and in this way it lowers the point where the conservatory is connected to the residence.

An Edwardian conservatory is accepted as being stylish and yet unpretentious and is a very practical addition to any home.  Timber conservatories were the most common types of conservatories in the past, but now you can build a aluminium, timber or uPVC conservatory in the Edwardian style, depending on your preference.  If understated elegance is your thing, then you could do a lot worse then choose this style of conservatory for your extension needs.

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.

One of the best ways to get an extension for your home without having to outlay too much money is to invest build your own conservatory.  As the name suggests, this is a structure that you either construct completely yourself, or at least erect pre-constructed components on your own.

There are various ways of looking at this option.  We would recommend it as a very viable way of getting an extension for your home if you are used to home improvement / DIY work and have some skill and ability in this area.  There is tremendous satisfaction to be obtained from building your own conservatory and as conservatory prices can be expensive, you could save quite a bit of money .  However, if you have not done this sort of work before you will have to learn how to build a conservatory,  employ someone with this sort of experience to help you, or simply not get involved in constructing your own sunroom and have a professional do the work for you.

If you are considering constructing your own extension and not purchasing one of the conservatories for sale from a manufacturer, do not take the attitude that not only should you save money on construction costs, but that you should save money by using inferior materials also.  DIY conservatories can be of an even higher quality than those you get constructed by someone else, because you can take the opportunity that you are constructing the structure yourself to design and construct a bespoke structure that is perfectly matched to your needs and desires.  Find a manufacturing company that is interested in discussing what type of sunroom you desire and is willing to give you what you want.

One of the first tasks you will face is deciding which type will compliment your home – a traditional design type such as a Victorian or Edwardian conservatory, a more general type such as you get with lean-to conservatories, or if you have a modern home, a contemporary style may suit best.  Take care in making this decision, as a well chosen and complimentary style will enhance your existing residence and will add to the value of your home, whereas an extension that does not blend in with your home can do the opposite.

In deciding what size you want your DIY conservatory to be, you need to decide firstly what use you intend to make of the space and secondly, how large a structure you can afford.  By building yourself, you may be able to spend more on making the structure larger, but do not go for a very large extension simply because you can afford to.  Many homeowners actually make their sunroom larger than they need.  Use an existing room in your home to judge a size that would be suitable for your needs and base your measurements on this.

Before you get involved in ordering or committing to purchasing any materials for your DIY conservatory, you need to ensure that you do not need planning permission for what you intend to build.  Different planning laws apply in different localities and whereas in many locations you can build an extension under a certain size without requiring planning permission, it is always best to check.  Other factors to take into account is the possibility that your home is a protected structure, that you may be building your new solarium over an existing sewage pipe, or that your planning department has some issues with uPVC glazing or any other issues.  In such cases timber conservatories are often a more accepted option, with a hardwood conservatory being a quality choice that will last many years, but you need to check out these details before commencing any work.

Constructing a DIY conservatory involves more than simply building the structure, unless you simply want something like a lean to greenhouse.  You will want to get a double glazing quote and will have to carry out plenty of research to get the best galzing for your budget. You will also have to consider which type of heating system you intend to use to heat the space.  Do you want a stand alone system, or do you hope to integrate the heating with your existing home system?  Electrical and plumbing work will probably also have to be integrated, so you will have to employ trained tradesmen for these parts of the project.

As you can gather from what we have outlined above, learning how to build your own conservatory is not a project to be undertaken lightly.  There are many issues that you have to consider before you commence work and while construction is underway.  If you employ a reputable builder with proper insurance cover to build your conservatory for you, you are covered if something goes wrong.  With a self-made sunroom unfortunately, you are on your own.

However homeowners that have run with the ‘build your own conservatories‘ challange and have succeeded in erecting attractive and useful extensions to their home are always immensely proud of their achievements.  The choice is yours!

The lean-to conservatories ares recognised under several different names, with sun lounges, Mediterranean style, garden room and sunroom conservatories all coming under the banner of the ever popular lean to conservatory.  There are various reasons why they are so in demand in the market place.  When it comes to conservatory prices, these structures can be very competitive, but practicality and versatility also come into play when homeowners favour the erection of lean to conservatories on their property.

Lean To Conservatory

In these present, economically challenging times, properties are not selling readily on the market for the prices that homeowners are expecting.  More and more of these owners have decided to take their house off the market and to renovate and refurbish it instead.  One of the main cost effective ways of extending a home is to consider erecting a conservatory, as per square foot they offer much better value than traditional bricks and mortar construction.

Lean to conservatories comprise no-nonsense constructions that have a regular rectangular shape and an appearance that is utilitarian and not fussy.  If you want a structure that is heavy with ornate trimmings, then you might be better to consider a Victorian conservatory.  That is not to say that you cannot add some decorative touches to a standard lean-to type of sunroom, in order to give it a more completed look.

Its rectangular floor is similar to that of an Edwardian conservatory and allows excellent use of floor space in these lean to structures and the fact that they are constructed with a single pitch conservatory roof means that they are not complicated to assemble and erect.  The simplicity in roof design means that a lean to sunroom can go in places that height restrictions would prohibit the erection of other types of conservatories.

A lean to conservatory is highly adaptable and can be used for many different functions within the home – including as an extra living area, a dining room, office, study or play area for children.  If you are considering constructing a DIY conservatory in order to save money, than a lean to type sunroom is one of the easiest structures to tackle.

Spacious Lean To Conservatories

Conservatories were once structures that were only used when the weather conditions were temperate and favourable, but improvements in production technology in recent years has meant much better temperature control is available in these buildings now with both extremes of hot and cold weather being able to be counteracted by the use of such products as uPVC and double glazing.  Quality uPVC conservatories and timber conservatories are used on a continuous year-round basis and as more mainstream accommodation for the home.

Lean to sunrooms were always one of the most popular conservatories and given recent sale trends of this particular style of extension, that popularity is showing little sign of changing.  Many keen gardeners construct a lean to greenhouse as an economical way to build a home for their plants.  If you want to look up lean to conservatories with regard to the country you are living in , you can narrow your search by searching under ‘lean to conservatories uk’, if you are living in the United Kingdom for example.

If you are thinking about purchasing a uPVC conservatory for your home, then you will want to read this article.  We will discuss factors that you should bear in mind when you are considering purchasing one of these structures, what to do before you commence work and how to blend your new sunroom into your existing home.  After reading this article, you will have a better idea of some of the issues that might arise when you go to build a conservatory.

•    When you are thinking about purchasing a uPVC conservatory, base your measurements on the internal measurements of the building  when you are looking at the manufacturers specifications.  Many purchasers only see the first measurements they come across and as the manufacturers are in the business of making their products seem as attractive as possible, they will usually highlight the external measurements.  Remember there could be a shortfall of around 12% of floorspace if you calculate on the external measurements.

•    We seem to say this a lot, but it does bear repeating – the cheapest PVC conservatories are not usually the best ones, in fact they rarely ever are.  If you get a quote for a sunroom or solarium that seems too good to be true, then it probably is.  There are different levels of quality available for PVCu conservatories, as with most other products on the market.  If you simply want to use your sunroom during the pleasant months of the year, and as a stand-alone structure, perhaps an inferior quality conservatory will work for you. 

But remember, if you are expecting your new extension to become an integral part of your residence, you will have to be prepared to build it to a standard of quality that befits the rest of your home.  Otherwise, the poor insulation, poor building quality and inferior finish of your conservatory will affect the insulation and thermal capacity of the entire residence. 

Conservatory prices can vary a lot but so can the quality of the building being produced.  Get a double glazing quote that fits your budget but that will also provide your conservatory with good quality glazing.  uPVC double glazing appears to be the mopst popular type of glazing on the market worldwide, but conservatories can be obviously constructed of materials such as timber or aluminum also.

•    We seem to bring up this point a lot also, but if we save one person the expense and annoyance of not having to pay a fine, or worse, because they did not have planning permission for their PVC conservatory, then it will be worth it.  You may not need planning permission to build an extension onto your residence, especially if you are going to build onto the back of the home  (out of sight from the public road). However this will depend on your local planning authorities policies and guidelines.  These are not difficult to find out.  Visit their website, or call in to your local planning office.  Write and ask for their opinion and if you get a favorable answer, keep a copy of the reply, (just in case).
•    uPVC  conservatories should compliment the residence they are attached to as much as possible.  Perhaps this cohesion may be in the style of the conservatory, (maybe it is a Victorian or an Edwardian conservatory, etc).  Alternatively, it may be the simple matching of brick-work in the dwarf wall that ties in your new structure to your existing home.  One of the best compliments you will get is when someone comments that your new extension looks as if it was always there.  Timber conservatories are sometimes preferred by planning authorities in areas where buildings may be listed or protected, but this is an issue that has to be  checked on a case by case basis.
•    If you are running central heating pipes in your new sunroom, make sure that they are ducted and easily accessible, in the event of a leak or a pressure drop in the system at some stage in the future.  Many owners of conservatories have rued the day they simply laid the heating pipes in concrete without ducting them first.  It may have seemed like a quick and good idea at the time, but if your system does develop a pin-prick leak, you may well have to start digging.

There are many benificial reasons to build a sunroom and in the present market, there are opportunities to purchase quality uPVC conservatories at very good vlaue.

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.

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‘.