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.

Conservatories can be constructed from quite a range of materials, ranging from uPVC and timber conservatories, aluminium solariums and right down to homemade conservatories, that can be produced with a mixture of materials.

In fact there is very little ( apart from the necessity to have planning permission), to inhibit the home improvement enthusiast from constructing a conservatory on his or her property with a range of begged stolen or borrowed materials of all shapes and sizes.

However in this article we will assume that as the potential purchaser of a new conservatory, you will want a structure that gives you all of the benefits that a quality conservatory will bring you in terms of allowing in sunlight and giving your family living comfort.  Many homemade wooden conservatories will not have the advanced level of craftsmanship that necessary to make a conservatory the energy efficient and properly insulated structure that it needs to be if the inhabitants of the home are to be able to live in year round, in comfort and safety.

A Timber hardwood conservatory have various advantages over uPVC and aluminium conservatories, these being the three main types of quality conservatories that are on the market today.

A wooden conservatory is an object of more natural beauty that the other two types, given the fact that timber is an organic material that never looks the same in any two structures and all timber or timber framed conservatories have a unique feel.

Added to this is the fact that each timber conservatory can be personalised with different mouldings, wooden panels and other ornamental carvings such as cornices, it is quite easy to make even a mass produced wooden conservatory look like it is a bespoke design.

As a resource, timber is renewable and you as a purchaser can insist that you only buy a timber frame conservatory that is produced with timber cut from a managed source.  The processing involved in producing timber for building is less intensive and damaging to the environment that it would be for producing materials such as uPVC and aluminium.  Properly managed forests used for timber production actually assist the rejuvenation of the environment.

Examples of timbers which are used in the production of conservatories are oak and sapele, both exquisite hardwood timbers which look beautiful and which are durable and long lasting.  Many other types of hardwood timbers are also suitable.

It is to be expected that conservatories made of wood will require some more maintenance than their uPVC or aluminium counterparts, which are more maintenance free.  However improved technology involved in the making of paints and stains for these structures often means that they do not need to be applied as often as before.

Timber conservatories with quality double or triple glazing are always going to be preferred over uPVC windows or uPVC conservatories in a situation where a property is listed or protected by a planning authority. This is mainly because timber fits in better with the architectural style of such buildings.

If you are considering building a conservatory, you should research your project well, consider the conservatories prices for different options and take your time making a decision.  If you wish to find out more about timber conservatories, then you could go online, where you will find many websites of manufacturers that specialise in all kinds of conservatories made from timber.

If you wish to narrow down your search a bit, you could search under ‘timber conservatories UK’, or ‘timber conservatories Ireland’ or any other term that will help specify the location you are living in.

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.

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!

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.