Conservatories
The first consideration when choosing a conservatory is whether or not you need planning. We have enclosed a page highlighting the current legislation brought out in October 2008 which gives guidelines as to when planning is required. Generally in the majority of cases planning is not required but it definitely is if you live in a listed building or a conservation area.
If you live in a conservation area or a listed building this will determine what your conservatory can be constructed out of as the majority of councils only allow hardwood structures in these scenarios.
Once you have established what material and what size can be allowed (without planning) then the enxt consideration will probalby be shape. We have a page dedicated to shapes of conservatory but there are variations on these and we have manufacture innumberable bespoke conservatories which don't fit into any paricular category.
Most conservatories are restricted by the size of the property and the land around it, its status (detached or attached), and what if any work has been carried out in the past.
We as a company can carry out the work involved in a conservatory from start to finish including preparing the detailed drawings for planning and submitting them.
Building work
All our building work is carried out to building regulations standards irregardless of whether it needs building regs or not. We offer options of concrete floor or suspended timber floor and we insulate all the walls as standard. A Thorntons Conservatory base is not just something to put a top on, a great deal of thought goes into it and they are built to last and incorporate all damp proof membranes and above average insulation.
All our walls are capped off as standard with duraboard window boards but this feature can be upgraded to included granite or indian sandstone if preferred.
Electrical
We normally incorporate 2 double plug sockets and a light outlet as standard into our conservatories but this spec can be upgrade to include extra plug and light sockets, television sockets fans or ventilation units etc.
Heating
Although we recommend Dimplex radiators for a conservatories we have fitted underfloor heating and radiators connected to the central heating system in the house (If it is connected to the central heating system building regs approval is required)
Side structures
All our conservatories are manufactured from the Reahu 70mm Edge profile which can be fully sculptured or chamfered dependant on what type of finish is required.
As a conservatory is a much larger structure than a window and it is load baring, Thornton's pay particular attention to reinforcement and fully reinforce all our side frames - MANY OF OUR COMPETITORS DO NOT
As with every other aspect of the conservatory there are choices to be made with the side structures some of these will be:
- Colour of profile / Conservatory
- Colour of handles
- Position of openers and doors
- Quantity of openers
- Type of glass required
Glazing
Standard glazing in a PVC-u conservatory is 28mm double glazed units with normal clear float glass this can however be upgraded to incorporate more energy efficient types of glass that ensure the conservatory may remain cooler in the summer and hotter in the winter and will help reduce fuel bills and ensure the conservatory can be used all year round.
Roof
Conservatory roofs are traditionally glazed with either polycarbonate or glass but there are now other alternatives on the market such as solid roofed garden rooms or panels that give the effect of a solid roof but in PVC.
What function the room is intended for can dictate a lot as to what type of roof to put on the structure as if it is a room to make full use of the sun then a glass roof is ideal. If it is a room that is to provide extra space for a growing family on a budget then polycarbonate is the answer. If an additional room is required but is is a lsited building and charm and character have to play an important part then a solid roofed garden room may be the answer. If it is an extra room where the walls are required to be high and it wants to be more like a traditional room then and orangery may be the answer with a glass atrium style roof.
The roof pretty much dictates the temperature of a conservatory so particular importance has to be given to the decision about what to glaze the roof with. There is also a difference in noise levels dependant on which glazing material is chosen.
The roof is a major part of the conservatory if it is not manufactured properly it may not be load baring, could blow away in high winds and could potentially leak or be prone to condensation problems.
We install all our conservatories with an Ultraframe roof where a PVCu type of structure is required, which has undergone rigorous tests and is widely recognised as being the best on the market. To ensure you are getting what we are selling we contribute to the Ultraframe authenticity certification scheme where you can register your conservatory roof on line and in return receive back a certificate of authenticity to confirm it is an Ultraframe roof.
Click here to see some of the types of conservatories we offer
