Diy Conservatory...

stingray_316

Prices of conservatorys are expensive and l would like to ask if it's possible to do a diy conservatory with materials bought from bq/wickes or building merchants. l've seen some prices of double glazed windows at wickes and would like a conservatory of 8x6 or 9x9 but how would l go about fixing the windows and doors together can you buy the pvc assembly parts seperate and where could l buy these.. and best places to buy windows and doors/roof. l would like to assembly a dwarf wall conservatory and abit of info and advice how to do one from the foundations to completion would be helpful.

blue_monkey_2

My friend bought a 2nd hand conservatory on eBay for under £100, it looks amazing up and they have put under floor heating in. I am not sure of all the in's and outs but maybe something to consider too as you would then have all of the frame.

This might help: http://www.conservatoryinfo.co.uk/diy.html

squack

not sure about the idea of making it out of windows! remember you will also need polycarbonate sheets or similar to make the roof,guttering and doors if you want to access the garden. i built ours last year from a kit off ebay it is pvcu and about 2.3 x 3.3 metres. cost about £1400 for the kit, had to make a concrete base first , plus you need silicone sealant, flashing etc:money:

stingray_316

Thought about using pvc doors and windows a dwarf wall built and using polycarbonate sheets for roofing and the frame built of wood as l go along fixing the windows and doors in. Honest opinions, how do you think this would look .
Any advice or good websites on constuctions of how to build your own conservatory would help, as well as the foundations to prepare the project.. Thanks

SailorSam

That site has got a Forum of other people that have built similar things, i've not read it but probably you can get an idea of the pros and cons,
BUILD YOUR OWN CONSERVATORY AND SAVE THOUSANDS | UK DIY FORUM

themanbearpig

Building the foundations and the dwarf wall isn't exactly a DIY task, and is very expensive.

A friend got a massive conservatory of ebay for £600 (would cost £10K+ new), got the foundation of dwarf wall built, and heating electrics put it. Total cost of £5k. Would cost £15-20k for the same thing new!

SailorSam

Isn't buying this time of thing on Ebay a bit of a problem when it comes to delivery, they can hardly box it up.
So you'd need to look for one that was fairly local and you'd ned a big van eto get it.
Wouldn't you ?

pdswindowsltd

what i reccomend you to do is firstly get Planning permission or Permited Development, then mark it out dig foundations, i dont know if you are going to build it on a pad or put joists in, build dwarf walls up, then measure up the size of the windows and take them to a local window company and ask for a price to supply the frames only and they will include corner posts to put the windows together and joining strips to include doors, also you are much more likely to get good quality pvc than at diy merchants, the roof is up to you, you can have a pvc/aluminium roof made complete with polycarbonate sheeting that is made to fit on top of the pvc windows and onto the wall or you can build a roof out of timber and insert polycarb sheets but wont last as long and look anything like the other, remember to lead flash!
This isnt an easy job but if managed correctly can be done cost effectively

andy69_2

best way to do it is get your windows and door and build the conservatory around them

planning_officer

pdswindowsltd wrote: »

what i reccomend you to do is firstly get Planning permission or Permitted Development

Good advice - too many people just assume they don't need planning permission for a conservatory!

themanbearpig

SailorSam wrote: »

Isn't buying this time of thing on Ebay a bit of a problem when it comes to delivery, they can hardly box it up.
So you'd need to look for one that was fairly local and you'd ned a big van eto get it.
Wouldn't you ?

Yeah, you have to search for months filtering through all the rubbish, and then hire a van, get a couple of strong people to help with the lifting, and be very very careful not to break anything while loading and unloading. Then you have to organise the groundworks after its bought. Its not for everyone, but if you want a cheap conservatory, its the only way to get it. You can save thousands, but its hard work.