Conservatories Direct 2u

Firstly decide what the main purpose of your conservatory will be, for example a dining area, an extension to the lounge, a children’s playroom, or even a home office all these will all need different considerations

· Decide on the appropriate design that will suit your property

· Decide on the size of the conservatory

· Decide whether you require a dwarf wall or full height glazing

· Check that there are no height restrictions, particularly with regard to bungalows or an existing flat roof extension (a double hipped conservatory will normally provide the best solution).

· Lay out the conservatory in your garden to visualise the finished floor area

· Consider the type of floor required i.e., laminate, tiles, carpet etc, or even heated floor etc

· Decide on the electrical accessories required i.e., fans, air conditioning units and heaters (see our heating page)

· Carry out some preliminary enquiries with builders regarding cost of the base

·If your house is semi-detached, consider discussing the project with your neighbours to avoid any potential issues arising during or after the installation.

Once you have decided on the size and design it will be necessary to carry out a survey of the area to confirm the sizes prior to ordering. At this point you should pay particular attention to existing pipe and drain outlets to make sure that they will not be affected by your new conservatory installation. Manhole covers can normally be replaced with sealed covers that will still be accessible should your drains ever need unblocking. Flues and underground drain pipes need not be a problem as they can normally be rerouted but you should seek professional advice. If you are using a builder to construct your base they will normally be happy to advise and undertake any changes for you.

Lay out the proposed conservatory in its position, deciding on the best position for the double or single door and in the case of double doors, which door leaf you will require as the master(main)door when viewed from the outside. If the doors are fitted directly against a wall we recommend the door leaf furthest away from the wall be used as the master door. You will also need to decide on the position of the rainwater outlet.

Note that in order to comply with current building regulations, the door from your house into the conservatory must be an external type door.

Philips and Flat Head Screwdrivers

Electric Drill and Drill/Screwdriver Bits

Hacksaw

Spirit Level

Plumb Bob Line

Rubber Mallet

Clamps

Step Ladder

Silicone Gun and Tubes

Glass Cleaner

Wall Plugs

Lead Flashing

Safety Glasses

Windows

Door

Welded cills

Frame connectors/poles

Sealed Units

Global Roof

All roof fixings

Ready to fit polycarbonate

Rainwater goods

Dwarf Wall (if applicable)

Lead flashing

Wall fixings

Silicone

Internal window boards

Some of the components that you will be handling in the installation process are heavy and can cause injury if not handled correctly. Installation will need at least one other person to assist in positioning components safely. Always wear protective gloves when handling glass and be particularly careful when moving sealed units.

We will supply you with a detailed easy to follow base plan drawing which will provide all dimensions to enable the base to be constructed accurately. You may want to build the base yourself or alternatively, consider using a reputable builder to construct your base for you. If you decide to use a builder try to find one that has been recommended by a friend or relative who has experience of their work.

Always agree the price at the start and exactly what the price includes. You should ask the builder to assist you with the survey as often, any issues that may arise will be discussed at this stage, rather than during construction. Cost guide for a 3m x 3m base will be in the region of £1,800 - £2,000.

It is essential that your base is constructed accurately to the dimensions we provide.

We will supply an easy to follow installation guide and roof assembly guide for your new conservatory and a competent DIY enthusiast (together with one or two volunteers) will be capable of installing the frames and roof onto a professionally prepared base over a weekend.

However, if you prefer to take the BUY It Yourself route rather than actually DOING it yourself you should ask your builder to provide a price for installation. Most builders are fully experienced in this field and it will leave you free to project manage the installation. Alternatively, most replacement window companies use self-employed fitters who will be happy to install your conservatory for you. Guide price for installation of a 3m x 3m conservatory will be around £650 - £850.

Most conservatories installed in England and Wales generally do not require planning permission unless:

Your property is a listed building or,

Your property has had additions to living space added in the past or,

You are building the conservatory on the front of your house or

You are intending to use the conservatory for non-domestic purposes.

However, we strongly recommend that in all cases, you contact your local planning office and discuss your project with them prior to ordering to ensure that any obligations are met with regard to planning permission. As the house owner, it is ultimately your responsibility to make enquiries with regard to any local authority requirements affecting alterations to your property.

· they are situated at ground level, are single storey and are permanently separated from the remainder of the property by an external door

· The walls are glazed by a min of half their size

· The roof must be completely translucent or transparent with at least 75% of the area formed by glazing using polycarbonate sheets or similar translucent material

· Glazing must be toughened safety glass

· Any radiator in the conservatory has to be controllable and must have their own separate on/off controls.

· The conservatory must not contain any drainage facilities for a washing machine, dishwasher etc

· The total floor area does not exceed 30m²

We recommend that you consult your local building control department and discuss your project with them to ensure that the addition is not subject to building regulations.

There is a proposed intention to include conservatories under building regulations within the next year or so and you should bear this in mind if you are planning to add a conservatory in the future.

CONSERVATORIESDIRECT2U@HOTMAIL.CO.UK

FREEPHONE 08700 270 244