D.I.Y Conservatory

globalds

I've been looking at conservatories and have seen that kits are available.

Has any body tried , or managed to build one?

If so could you give me a quick talk through as to how skill full a person needs to be to build one , How long it takes ( I'm thinking a week at most)....And mainly any pitfalls or hidden problems that may be involved.

I would probably get a someone in to build the dwarf wall , so it would only be the fitting together of the UPVC and roof panels.

Any advice or words of wisdom much appreciated

booty40uk

Good idea to have the footings and dwarf wall done by others.................these need to be done to the exact dimensions given. You may also want to get someone in to do the flashing once its up as this needs to be perfectly to avoid leaks in the future.

You should get a detailed instruction booklet with your kit which will show you exactly how to go through each stage of the installation. Read through this a few times before starting. It is not that difficult to do with the right tools, a modicum of intelligence and some patience.

Once the base is done, the actual conservatory structure of an average size can be erected in 1 day by two experienced installers and i think a week for an inexperienced crew is a reasonable estimate as you wont want to rush through it. There are some corners you can cut but its probably best for a novice to go exactly by the book.

You will also have some other work after the shell is up, ie interior floor structure and finishing, possibly plastering, electrics, maybe a radiator etc. Outside you will have a small amount of making good near to the dwarf wall ie grass, slabs,shingle etc.

The most important thing is to get the dwarf wall as precise as you can. I would work to a tolerance of +/- 2 or 3mm to the instructions dimensions.

You will need at least the following tools

philips and flat head drivers
cordless drill
hammer drill with good masonary bits
selection of good metal drill bits
rubber mallet
stanley knife
good level (6')
hacksaw (large and junior)
silicon gun
tape measure

You will need at least 2 people preferably 3. It will take you half a day to unwrap all the components, get familiar with them and check they are all present. I would spend the rest of that day reading the instructions and familiarising yourselves with the procedure.

Although its virtually impossible in the UK, also keep an eye on the weather forecast for a dry week. Putting up a conservatory in the rain is not fun believe me!

HTH and good luck

Andy

globalds

Blimey ...
Carlsberg don't do replies , but if they did ..They would be like that one.

Really good Just what I was looking for.

It will hopefully be 3 of us for a couple of days and 2 for the rest.

We will be taking down a wooden structure ..More a verandah than conservatory, but that can be done as a different job prior to the building, as the house is not left open when this is removed ..The original kitchen door is still in place.
Thanks again
Globalds

booty40uk

One other thing to consider.

I would not recommend removing your existing door into the actual house or making a knockthrough. Conservatorys are not hard to break into!

iamcornholio

Like any type of kit, it's a case of fixing it together. Its straight forward.

The best thing to remember is not to skimp on the silicone, and make sure all joints are properly screwed/clipped togther and silicone used.

Ensure frames are vertical, and kept square/parellel so that the roof fits properly without you needing to twist or fiddle with it

globalds

I was not planning on removing the kitchen door ..Maybe I will look into getting a new door , But it would still be a fully lockable external door.

If you were building one for yourself would you go for a glass roof or polycarb .

I would prefer the glass but the poly is cheaper , more widely available ..And I don't know which is better of the two.

iamcornholio

Glass has the benefit of better heat and sound retention/reflection. But it costs a lot more, and you need to make sure that the roof supports can take the extra weight

Bear in mind that sealed glass units can last as little as eight years before they start to mist up

deanos

My experience from a few years ago

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/85379