Conservatory - will foundations support glass roof?

AmmDram

Here are a couple of pics of the outside and inside in case it helps. Sorry I’m so clueless about this kind of thing!

McKneff

We had all our units replaced and a new proper lightweight roof. 

 The last units were starting to break down, doors not fitting. Windows leaking.Etc. it was 25 years old.

Best thing we ever did, its a whole new sitting room, warmer in winter now with new technology. Cooler in summer, 

I would be really wary of glass if the sun will be on it. 

Jeepers_Creepers

Blimey! Is there no way out of that room and in to the garden?!

The paving slabs outside are not only much higher than the inner floor level, but look to be coming right up to - touching? - the dwarf wall. Is that the case? That is sooo not good - I'm surprised you don't have damp issue along that outer wall.

If you are going to some expense on this - and it appears you are - shouldn't you be at least considering lowering even the middle section of that paving to allow French or bifolds there? Then a couple of steps up to the rest of the patio. I think that would transform the place - its appeal and function.

I don't know what sort of lintel runs along the top above the windows - there's certainly room for one. I suspect it's currently just timber since it's a lightweight poly roof, which is also seemingly supported by the two lengthways beams.

The specs make mention of 3"x3" posts, and these would appear to be at each end corner (not sure why since there's a brick wall return there) and also in the middle - that one will be doing much of the work as it'll be supporting the long 'lintel'.

The founds - placed in a min 600mm deep trench, 6" thick and 2' wide - will almost certainly be fine for any eventuality, but I cannot confirm this. (What I'm saying is, I wouldn't be concerned about it, even if a SE said it 'technically' wasn't enough).

Are you replacing the windows? If so, then that centre - and the end - posts will be exposed, as will the lintel above. Whatever is needed to be added to this - if anything - can then be done. I'd imagine that 2 of 8x2 timber beams screwed together with a central beam would be more than good enough, but - of course - that ain't an SE's view.

If you do decide to go for doors, then the situation is even better at there would then be at least two vertical 'midway' posts along that run, one either side of the doors. Basically, it ain't going to fall down.

But whether it 'conforms' is another matter.

What would I do? Call out your chosen builders to examine and quote. They will check what's there, and will give you quotes based on reasonable assumptions. You ask about anything you don't understand, and then you come back on here for folk like Stuart and Doozer to comment on (phew - passes t'buck...).

The builders might, for example, say "We cannot check that lintel without damaging the inside wall to have a look. But, assuming it's adequate, then a ballpark figure for x, y and z would be £yk. If we need to include a full-length beam (or two beams supported in t'middle), then that would add around £1.5k to the quote. If we need to...etc etc etc."

AmmDram

McKneff said:

We had all our units replaced and a new proper lightweight roof. 

 The last units were starting to break down, doors not fitting. Windows leaking.Etc. it was 25 years old.

Best thing we ever did, its a whole new sitting room, warmer in winter now with new technology. Cooler in summer, 

I would be really wary of glass if the sun will be on it. 

Thanks, if it wasn’t for the fact that we get very little light in our living room as it is (it’s the other side of the conservatory), we’d consider a solid roof. 

It’s south east facing. Was hoping to get the solar heat minimising blue glass, a friend at work had that fitted to her conservatory roof (also south facing) and she said that made a world of difference. The company doesn’t have particularly good reviews so I don’t fancy using them though. 

Jeepers_Creepers

I, too, would consider a 'solid' roof, but one with, say, three skylights or two sky lanterns. These instantly turn rooms from being 'conservatories' into 'garden rooms', and - to me - are far more appealing, cosy-feeling, inviting - and more energy efficient. I think most potential buyers would feel the same.

I'd also break up that looooong glazed front into a central (or off-centre if you wish) bifold or French, ideally with bricks pillars either side, and then nice windows either side of this. Again, it makes it a 'room' rather than a 'connie'.

I'd be looking at getting a good local general builder for this, and not a connie 'specialist'.

AmmDram

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Blimey! Is there no way out of that room and in to the garden?!

The paving slabs outside are not only much higher than the inner floor level, but look to be coming right up to - touching? - the dwarf wall. Is that the case? That is sooo not good - I'm surprised you don't have damp issue along that outer wall.

If you are going to some expense on this - and it appears you are - shouldn't you be at least considering lowering even the middle section of that paving to allow French or bifolds there? Then a couple of steps up to the rest of the patio. I think that would transform the place - its appeal and function.

I don't know what sort of lintel runs along the top above the windows - there's certainly room for one. I suspect it's currently just timber since it's a lightweight poly roof, which is also seemingly supported by the two lengthways beams.

Thank you for replying. Yes, there is no way out of there from the house! The entire garden slopes upwards from there so I think it would be a huge job to level it out. We don’t have the budget to landscape the garden, it’s hard to describe what it’s like but apparently the houses are built on an old quarry, it’s mainly rock underneath and quite difficult to deal with. 

I know it would make sense to have doors installed if it were easily done, but as long as we have large windows which open sufficiently, that’ll do. 

There is ventilation on the outside of the dwarf wall, the patio slabs don’t go right up to it, and there is a damp proof course inside. There is no damp on the inside of the walls, thankfully. 

So it’s a job for an actual builder, rather a than a glazing company? I didn’t realise this and the one glazing company that came out (to quote for something else) took a look at it and confidently said they can quote for it when we decide what we want. Then they didn’t even send me a brochure on conservatories, as requested. Not exactly filled with confidence, hence my trepidation in wanting to do things right. I appreciate the advice on here, especially when trades are so hard to get hold of!

Jeepers_Creepers

If 'all' you are going to do is replace the poly roof with glass, and the existing windows with larger openers, then - yes - a glazing company should be up for that. By all means call a couple out for quotes.

If this were me, I would also call out a general builder and consider the option of a 'proper' roof.

I get what you say about the slabs and digging down, but it would only need to be an area wide and deep enough to allow doors to open. But, yes, it'll cost a lot more.

You are going to be forking out - I dunno - a few £k at the very least? I'd just like to have all the options laid out, with associated quotes. See what you can stretch to - if it makes a large enough difference.

Then decide.

Please keep us posted on developments. And come back once you have quotes to discuss anything that you are not sure about :-)

AmmDram

Jeepers_Creepers said:

If 'all' you are going to do is replace the poly roof with glass, and the existing windows with larger openers, then - yes - a glazing company should be up for that. By all means call a couple out for quotes.

If this were me, I would also call out a general builder and consider the option of a 'proper' roof.

I get what you say about the slabs and digging down, but it would only need to be an area wide and deep enough to allow doors to open. But, yes, it'll cost a lot more.

You are going to be forking out - I dunno - a few £k at the very least? I'd just like to have all the options laid out, with associated quotes. See what you can stretch to - if it makes a large enough difference.

Then decide.

Please keep us posted on developments. And come back once you have quotes to discuss anything that you are not sure about :-)

Thank you! It’s a lot to think about. 

greenface2

you could have bi folding windows if you wanted to open it up into the garden . It has the thickeness to appear to have some support above . what and how it meets any regs is unknown unless you take off the plastic cover . I decent local window firm that does plenty of connys . |A solid roof may also work with a few lanterns ( equinox solid roof ) or similar ) if you have the pitch . even an isulated rubber roof makes it more 4 seasons than glass and deffo polycarb . I would be tempted to put a bigger pitch on the roof too . Hard to tell . The height of the outside garden is really unusal and they would have had problems putting that in originally I'm sure , thanks for the pics and some really useful advice on this post .

AmmDram

greenface2 said:

you could have bi folding windows if you wanted to open it up into the garden . It has the thickeness to appear to have some support above . what and how it meets any regs is unknown unless you take off the plastic cover . I decent local window firm that does plenty of connys . |A solid roof may also work with a few lanterns ( equinox solid roof ) or similar ) if you have the pitch . even an isulated rubber roof makes it more 4 seasons than glass and deffo polycarb . I would be tempted to put a bigger pitch on the roof too . Hard to tell . The height of the outside garden is really unusal and they would have had problems putting that in originally I'm sure , thanks for the pics and some really useful advice on this post .

Thanks, I think bifold windows would be a good idea. We hopefully have a builder coming soon to quote for a few other jobs on the house, so will see what he thinks as to what might be possible. Struggling to get hold of the window co again but I have another window guy coming hopefully soon so will see what he says too. 

The pitch of the garden is a very odd one.

The previous owners sold with indemnity for building regs so I’m not sure about how that one pans out. 

Thanks.