Conservatories - self build

antilles

We're looking to fit a conservatory this year and wonder if anyone can help us with a few questions?

Has anyone fitted one using those steel /concrete pad bases (e.g. Durabase)? What kind of cost did this come in at? Is there advantage of a proper dwarf wall / foundation rather than a steel base solution?

Does anyone have any tips re things to avoid when you put a conservatory in? Maybe mistakes you made which you've since had rectified? If it helps the conservatory will be south facing.

Finally does anyone have any recommendations on a company to use (I intend to self build), I'm currently looking at ConvervatoryLand as they appear to have some good feedback and prices. Anyone dealt with them, what is the quality like? Anyone you would avoid in particular?

sunshinetours

antilles wrote: »

We're looking to fit a conservatory this year and wonder if anyone can help us with a few questions?

Has anyone fitted one using those steel /concrete pad bases (e.g. Durabase)? What kind of cost did this come in at? Is there advantage of a proper dwarf wall / foundation rather than a steel base solution?

Does anyone have any tips re things to avoid when you put a conservatory in? Maybe mistakes you made which you've since had rectified? If it helps the conservatory will be south facing.

Finally does anyone have any recommendations on a company to use (I intend to self build), I'm currently looking at ConvervatoryLand as they appear to have some good feedback and prices. Anyone dealt with them, what is the quality like? Anyone you would avoid in particular?

How will you cool it in the summer - it will get exceptionally hot if south facing. So maybe build in roof vents and tinted roof to assist but it will still be a problem?

a_j_mair

my honest advice would be not to bother with a glass roofed conservatory.

Save your money and build a proper sun lounge with stud walls and slated or tiled roof.

You can use it all year round and will be a good adition to most homes

A glass conservatory will either be to warm in the summer (even with some special coated roof) to cold in winter ( to hard to heat) and to noisy when it is windy or raining.

antilles

a_j_mair wrote: »

my honest advice would be not to bother with a glass roofed conservatory.

Save your money and build a proper sun lounge with stud walls and slated or tiled roof.

You can use it all year round and will be a good adition to most homes

A glass conservatory will either be to warm in the summer (even with some special coated roof) to cold in winter ( to hard to heat) and to noisy when it is windy or raining.

Wouldn't I need planning permission for this though, and would it come under building regulations, as with a slated roof isn't it classed as an extension?

sunshinetours

Depends on the size and the area you live in and any previous extensions etc

Plenty of previous posts on here if your search extensions or planning permission.
Also google the planning portal whioch is the governement website which also gives planning. Many standard smallish extensions don't need planning permission these days
An extension will certainly be more usuable all year round but will cost more money to build no doubt

27col

I assembled a conservatory on a Durabase and it was very simple to do. It has been up at least five years without any problems at all. Very easy to level using the adjustable feet, mostly built off an old patio. Just a couple extra holes to dig and fill with concrete for the feet that overhung the old patio. Cost about £800 I think. It was worth the money to avoid the hassle.

TAFFYCLAIRE

Have to agree with previous posts. I have a conservatory backing onto a south facing garden, it is unbearably hot during the summer and freezing cold in winter. We are in the process of replacing it with sunroom.

antilles

27col wrote: »

I assembled a conservatory on a Durabase and it was very simple to do. It has been up at least five years without any problems at all. Very easy to level using the adjustable feet, mostly built off an old patio. Just a couple extra holes to dig and fill with concrete for the feet that overhung the old patio. Cost about £800 I think. It was worth the money to avoid the hassle.

I'm waiting for a quote at the moment for a Durabase. If you don't mind me asking what are the dimensions of your conservatory? (I'm looking at 5m x 3m)

antilles

sunshinetours wrote: »

Depends on the size and the area you live in and any previous extensions etc

Plenty of previous posts on here if your search extensions or planning permission.
Also google the planning portal whioch is the governement website which also gives planning. Many standard smallish extensions don't need planning permission these days
An extension will certainly be more usuable all year round but will cost more money to build no doubt

Sounds like we may not need it actually. But you are right it would be much more expensive than a self build conservatory.

antilles

Well the Durabase is coming in at nearly 3 grand. Wow!

CliffWalker_2

Hi,
I built my own 5m x 5m conservatory (pretty big) two years ago (from foundations up) and we use it all year round as a living room (it has better views than the 'proper' living room over open countryside).
It has two HUGE double radiators in there powered from the central heating and we use it even in winter.
I agree with powerRIP about a glass roof, it will cost more to fit (as the roof beams have to be able to support the extra weight) but to watch stars, satellites (and the Space Station two nights ago) is brilliant (even though there's a 42" plasma telly in there... we often sit in the dark and watch the sky).
The remark about glass roofs beng noisy is rubbish, polycarbonate roofs are ten times noisier, especially in the rain, its like being in a drum!
(Ever been in a a caravan in the rain? Well a plastic roof is far noisier.)
A Glass roof is far stronger than a polycarbonate roof and doesn't 'drum' when rain hits it.
Polycarbonate roofs also discolour over time, from fungus, mildew and go opaque from sunshine. Glass roofs don't, you just clean it as you would a window.
Hope this helps.