Any experiences of Guardian Conservatory Roofs please?

Furts

polybear wrote: »

Many thanks for the reply - I've added some responses below:



All cynicism welcome - it helps me make a judged decision and spot anything I may have missed! Many thanks.

polybear

p.s. Your last paragraph suggests you may be a roofer and/or conservatory installer/supplier perhaps?

No! I am none of these. I am unbiased and post here, hopefully, to benefit mse users.

I will withdraw from further Building Control comments and move on:.

If your system has a ply membrane, there is an enormous amount of Far Eastern ply that really should not be used in these locations. Whilst the boxes are ticked the actual quality can be dire. Be very careful on quality and accreditation. Many will leach, and water stain, if wetted. Many are de-laminating - in places randomnly -before they ever get wet. Good quality marine ply should be used when one considers the price you are paying.

If you are happy with the price then fine. The reality is this is daylight robbery when you have posted what a conventional roof will cost.

Please bear in mind your old conservatory may not be a good multi chamber reinforced construction. (I suspect it is not). You are exerting considerable loads when you add the plasterboard, and roof lights. Plus the plasterboard thickness is related to span between fixings. What have you checked on this?

If your roof abutts an existing cavity wall what is the cavity close detail?

Finally, the anchoring down of the roof is vital.

I am not being awkward with my comments. I wish to give a different perspective to the sales pitch.

polybear

Hi Again!

Furts wrote: »

No! I am none of these. I am unbiased and post here, hopefully, to benefit mse users.
Absolutely - I appreciate your thoughts - many thanks.

If your system has a ply membrane, there is an enormous amount of Far Eastern ply that really should not be used in these locations. Whilst the boxes are ticked the actual quality can be dire. Be very careful on quality and accreditation. Many will leach, and water stain, if wetted. Many are de-laminating - in places randomnly -before they ever get wet. Good quality marine ply should be used when one considers the price you are paying.
Many thanks for the tip - I'll check this. I do know it's Exterior Grade WBP, but am unsure of origins. Marine grade would be nice, but I know how expensive it can be .

If you are happy with the price then fine. The reality is this is daylight robbery when you have posted what a conventional roof will cost.

I'm never happy with a price, unless it's free :rotfl: When the DIY fit option comes in at £3K less fitting, insulated plasterboard, plastering, labour, a lot of lead flashing etc. then the £5K is understandable, especially as labour in my area (just north of London) comes in at £150-200/day. Two guys for a week makes £1500 - £2000.....
Whilst I have the ability to do the job myself I do have to bear in mind it needs to basically watertight/secure very quickly (same day preferably) and I'm not a quick worker (plus my back is shot....). I've also had plastering done and it ain't cheap round here for a decent job. Payment for the roof is 25% down, with the rest payable when I'm happy, which seems fair enough. Ten year guarantee, insurance backed.

Please bear in mind your old conservatory may not be a good multi chamber reinforced construction. (I suspect it is not). You are exerting considerable loads when you add the plasterboard, and roof lights. Plus the plasterboard thickness is related to span between fixings. What have you checked on this?
The roof is 10mm twin wall, which is way down on what is available today. But whilst (for example) 35mm now available will help in winter it won't in the summer I'm sure. Plus regular ongoing maintenance is more of an issue. I understand about the plasterboard loads, though the roof uses aluminium extrusion beams set closer together than my existing beams (I'll check what the span is). Rooflight weight (downlighters) is so low it can be discounted - I'm pretty sure the existing wall lighting is more than sufficient anyway. The front face of the conservatory has a 9" blockwork dwarf wall on concrete footings deep enough for a proper extension (and a lot deeper than the 1920's house, which is only on 18" footings :eek: ). The hardwood frames have six fairly substantial uprights, which will all be taking compressive loads; the existing design of the conservatory should be such that the ring beam fitted prior to installation of the roof will be supported at each end by the 9" blockwork end walls also.

If your roof abutts an existing cavity wall what is the cavity close detail?
No cavity wall.

Finally, the anchoring down of the roof is vital.
All ply sheeting is screwed to the aluminium beams, and all tiles are screwed (not nailed) to the ply (with two layers of breathable roof membrane between). The existing plastic roof sheets have stayed put for 18 years so I'm pretty confident that the new roof should be ok also (famous last words!).

I am not being awkward with my comments. I wish to give a different perspective to the sales pitch.
Understood, and much appreciated :T

Unfortunately my options are very limited here - stick with plastic :eek: or fit a tiled roof system, which of course has to be lightweight (or get into some very involved (= expensive) mods to the existing structure. Other option suggestions much appreciated though!

Kind Regards,
polybear

Portly_Pig

Out of interest, how much do they want for the roof?

polybear

About 5K, for a 4.4m x 2.7m lean-to style fully fitted and finished inside.

polybear

Portly_Pig

polybear wrote: »

About 5K, for a 4.4m x 2.7m lean-to style fully fitted and finished inside.

polybear

:eek:

That's extension money.

polybear

Portly_Pig wrote: »

:eek:

That's extension money.

Blimey, not where I live! And I couldn't face the thought of all the upheaval that went with it.....been there, done that with the conservatory!

polybear

Furts

Hi polybear
It was in my draft of my previous post - then I could not remember if the detail applied to your system so I deleted it. Now I know... so it is back in...why two layers of membranes?

This is specialist knowledge but my instinct would be interstitial condensation and/ or mould between the layers. This was a problem years ago when, for whatever reason, one ocassionly came across two layers of 1F felt. Of course this was not "breathable", but the detail concerns me.

Finally, the beauty of the forum is the anonymity. If you want to know my knowledge base send me a PM and I will try to reassure you with a few pointers.

polybear

Furts wrote: »

Hi polybear
It was in my draft of my previous post - then I could not remember if the detail applied to your system so I deleted it. Now I know... so it is back in...why two layers of membranes?

This is specialist knowledge but my instinct would be interstitial condensation and/ or mould between the layers. This was a problem years ago when, for whatever reason, one ocassionly came across two layers of 1F felt. Of course this was not "breathable", but the detail concerns me.

Many thanks for the reply. One tile option is Tapco slate, which has a minimum pitch limit of 14 degrees. However, after talking with their technical dept. this could go lower, but with no promises etc. etc. The Roof Manufacturers have gone down to 12.5 degrees using these tiles, using two layers of breathable membrane. The other tile option is Metrotile, which can go down to 10 degrees; it has an interlocking design such that I would almost bet my pension that driving rain / very high winds etc. would make absolutely no difference to it. I suspect only one layer of membrane would be used with this. The subject of breathability using two layers did also cross my mind - I'll find out what product is used and see what the manufacturer says (I like to check as much as possible!). However, whilst I prefer the Tapco slate, the performance of the Metrotile against driving rain (and my low roof pitch) may make this a winner. And it's a fair bit cheaper!
Many thanks.

polybear

p.s. P.M is on it's way!

Sterlingtimes

This is an interesting read.

I have already committed to a Guardian Roof with all glass panels changed from the dwarf wall upward. £8,000.

The current conservatory has been little used because there are so many temperature problems. The price is much better than demolishing and building an extension.

The U values provided above are helpful.

Sterlingtimes

The Guardian Roof conservatory is now installed.

With the replacement of all windows and doors, it took four days to install from start to end.

All of the materials used were top quality, and the structure is very solid. We were very pleased with the workmanship too.

The result is a very substantial structure replacing a conservatory that was nearer to a greenhouse in terms of quality. For £8,500 this was a cheap way of building a functional energy efficient extension.