Self build conservatories?

littleladylele

I am considering a self build conservatory, but the quote given does not include the base and dwarf wall so is basically everything PVC. How difficult are these bases to build (my dad is very good at DIY and has work experience bricklaying and roofing and building etc).

So far, self build seems much cheaper than buying a full conservatory and having it fitted, but is there a lot to it? The website I was looking at doesn't give a quote for the base system just the pvc bit. Would it work out cheaper this way - has anybody done it?

capeverde

what size and shape is it? how high is the dwarf wall? do you have clay at a certain depth. will be able to give you a good idea of cost if you let me know these things.

littleladylele

Sorry!

It would be a lean to conservatory against a single storey (house is a bungalow) Kitchen extension is not actually built yet but it is most likely to be a flat roof (like on garages?) so it would be no higher than a single storey, maybe a little lower. or it would look silly.

Will be 3m wide by 2.5m from the side of the house. I've been looking at the conservabase footings so we are likely going to use that if we opt for self build.

Dwarf walls will be 600mm. I'm leaning towards a self build, we don't mind the work and I've got a quote for 1169 for just the pvc bit. This seems cheaper but it won't be if the conservabase is thousands! Also to bear in mind other extras like electrics etc.

P.S Does anyone know if conservabase supply the interior of the dwarf wall - their diagrams suggest they don't = more expense for plastering etc.

capeverde

ok, few comments to make. Firstly, if its going against a bungalow, is it against a gable wall, or off an eave wall. Obviously, if its off an eave, it will more than likely have to be fixed off the fascia in order to achieve an acceptable height at the front elevation. The shallowest pitch for materials like ultralite, is 2.5 deg. Personally I wouldnt go under 5 deg. Fixing off the fascia can be a pain as the conservatory then has to take all of the water of the existing house roof and the panels get really dirty quickly. Second point, given your conservatory is only going to be 2.5m x 3m, if you have a dwarf wall with a 50mm cavity this will really impact your inside space. The maximum you will then have is 2.25m x 2.5m (you lose 500mm in the width and 250mm in the projection)will this be ok? I dont have much experience of the steel frame bases. A standard base of this size would cost around 1000 - 1200 for materials inc concrete bricks and all ancilliaries. mini digger hire is around 75 per day, but watch out for cables, drainage. Just going back to the roof, polycarbonate, even better ones like ultralite, is good for about 5 years. It gets very brittle and is nearly impossible to clean after a few years. If possible go for the pilkintons blue glass. More expensive but well worth the money.

janfit1305

Re the roof

Polycarbonate from reputable suppliers will be guaranteed for 10 years against discolouration and going brittle. I wouldn't recommend Ultralite as it is not polycarboante and although quick to fit as very poor insulation values. I would recommend a 35mm sevenwall polycarbonate with a U value of 1.2 w/M2K. When cleaning polycarbonate do not use detergents as they will damage the UV protection on the surface causing some of the problems that capeverde mentioned. If you want to be able to look up and see the sky clearly then double glazed toughened glass is the answer. Do you be aware however if the conservatory is south facing you may need to budget for roof blinds as it can get quite glary in strong sunshine.

Jane