Coloured uPVC or Hardwood Orangery?

lohr500

Apologies for the rambling post, but I am hoping someone has been here before me and can pass on their experience and knowledge

We are looking to have an orangery built onto our house and have been discussing designs with several suppliers. The two main construction types seem to be either all uPVC, or hardwood vertical frames with colour coded aluminium clad roofing frames.

I've met with one uPVC supplier who can work in any colour of our choice and whose designs and detail are a far cry from the stereotypical lean to white uPVC conservatory. I've also received a detailed quotation from another national supplier who works in hardwood, and also an indicative quote in hardwood from a third supplier.

Both the hardwood quotes have come in at +/- 40% more than the uPVC, based on similar size requirements and the same internal layout, flooring and electrical requirements. All quotes include all the groundwork, so we are comparing like for like.

Gut feel tells me you get what you pay for and that there is probably more craftsmanship going into the hardwood construction.

But the low maintenance of uPVC is attractive and the price quoted falls within our budget.

Putting aside the non traditional aspect of uPVC, my main concern is the long term robustness of coloured uPVC. Is my view tainted by images of older white pvc windows & doors that have lost their sheen and gone powdery, or has the coating/colouring technology moved on?

Has anyone been here before and what were your findings?

Has anyone got a coloured uPVC conservatory or orangery that has been in place for some time and how is it standing up to the weather?

Any input much appreciated.