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When people talk about finishes on a wooden conservatory, there are a few different things that they may be referring to. Some may be referring to the colour and type of wood used to build the conservatory, but they may also be talking about the type of treatment used to protect the wood from the weather. We’ll cover both bases for what finish is best on a wooden conservatory here.

When you’re thinking about the best wood type and finish for the conservatory, it’s best to go with a hardwood. There are both hardwoods and softwoods, and hardwoods are the most durable. Oak is the most expensive choice but is also the most durable, so lots of people decide to go for this option. Other good choices that are slightly cheaper are Brazilian cedar and idigbo. Softwoods like European redwood or Siberian larch are cheaper still, but they won’t last as long, so it may work out more cost-effective to spend more on a hardwood.

Wood is a natural material, so it’s important to look after your wooden conservatory to prevent it from rotting or getting attacked by bugs and pests. Your conservatory will be exposed to all weathers, so you’ll need to use a good finish to ensure that it stays in tip-top condition for years to come. Your installer should be able to tell you what’s best, but some of the best finishes for a wooden conservatory include breathable varnishes and decking oil. However, if you do use an oil, it’s best to use a preservative treatment too; oil will only repel water. Joints are particularly susceptible to water penetration, so make sure you use a good wood treatment and focus on areas where water would pool during rain. Then you can apply a decking oil afterwards.

When you build a new wood-constructed conservatory, or any type of conservatory, you’ll need to dig a trench for the footings. You’ll need to dig to a minimum depth of 600mm and at least 300mm below your property’s damp proof course. When you dig down, you might expose obstacles such as underground pipes.

If this happens, you’ll need lintels for your wood-constructed conservatory. These are usually concrete and protect the pipes or obstructions from being crushed. You may also want to use steel mesh for additional support.

Building Regulations state that if an opening is formed in a wall, the structure above the opening needs to be supported. This will be especially relevant if you’re building a wooden lean-to conservatory. It says that there are two ways that you can use lintels to provide support.

The first way involves using a steel lintel to support both the inner and outer leaf of a cavity wall. It can then serve as a cavity tray that directs moisture from the cavity through the outer skin of the wall as well.

The second way to use lintels is to use two steel or concrete lintels. They support each leaf of a cavity wall construction. You’ll need separate thermal insulation and a cavity tray as well.

Whatever type of lintel you use, it should have a suitable bearing onto the wall at each side. If you’re not sure, speak to the manufacturer of your wood-constructed conservatory, or ask a reputable company to install it for you.

Lean-to conservatories are often known as Mediterranean conservatories or sunrooms and are a great way to add more living space when you’ve only got a small amount of room to work with. They usually have clean lines, a rectangular shape and attach to the side or rear of your home, which makes them one of the easiest conservatory types to build yourself.

So how do you build a wooden lean-to conservatory? The first step is to decide what you want it to look like. Most lean-to conservatories are constructed of glass and the wood frame, but you can choose to have dwarf walls too. Dwarf walls are low brick walls that are useful if you’re planning to plumb in radiators, have air conditioning installed or put plug sockets in the conservatory.

When you’ve decided what your wooden lean-to conservatory is going to look like, you’ll need to get the materials. You’ll need to choose a hardy wood – oak is the most expensive but also the most durable – and source glass for the windows. You’ll also need to decide on a roof material and work out the correct pitch.

The first step to building your wooden lean-to conservatory is to dig the foundations. You’ll then need to level the earth, then add concrete to the correct height, which should be lower than your property’s existing damp course. Then, you’ll build up to the damp course, which will be your conservatory’s floor level. Don’t forget to make sure it’s even.

If you’re building a dwarf wall, start it from the base and build up to no more than 1 metre high. Once the cement is dry, place external sills on top of the dwarf wall. You’ll then need to secure the frames; start with the one that secures to your property, then do the same for the rest, connecting outwards until they meet from the two sides. Then put up your doors.

Now it’s time to build the roof. This should be simple if you’ve bought your own custom-made kit. Place the roof ridge on top of the frames, then add the roof rafters between the roof ridge and hip bars. Fit your glazing sheets and guttering – it’s important that your wooden conservatory roof has guttering just like your house, otherwise your conservatory roof won’t last very long and could even cause rainwater to rot your wooden frames.

Once you’ve built your wooden lean-to conservatory, all that’s left is to decide on how you want to decorate it. But if this all sounds like too much, get in touch with specialist wooden conservatory installers who will be able to give you a quote for building you a lean-to conservatory.

What Is The Difference Between A Conservatory And An Orangery?

If you’re looking to build an extension for your home, one of the first things that comes to mind is the type of structure that would best suit your property. When it comes to glass extensions there are two major varieties which includes the traditional conservatory and the orangery, but there are usually a lot of confusion over the differences of these two varieties. With the growth in popularity of glazed extensions, the differences between the two structures are becoming more and more thin. However, the main difference between a conservatory and an orangery is the number of glass incorporated. Conservatories are fully glazed structures featuring a low brick base wall, meanwhile orangeries are grand brick structures with with glazed roofs. But as a result of innovations of over the years in glazing, the difference has changed a bit.

Here are some of the major differences between a conservatory and an orangery.

✓ Orangeries are generally best suited to traditional-styled homes or with older property making use of matching stone or brick in construction. Meanwhile for a more recent or modern property, a conservatory will be the better option to add the flair to your property.

✓ Conservatories tend to be larger than orangeries, therefore if you want a smaller extension, an orangery would be your best bet.

✓ Orangeries are typically rectangular in shape and is traditionally a more regular building meanwhile a conservatory can be shaped to suit your needs. With an conservatory, you can get a T-shaped, L-shaped, curved, double ended and lean-to extensions to suit your preference.

✓ An orangery usually possess a flat roof at the edges with a glazed lantern section right at the centre. You can also find more luxurious orangeries having two or more lantern sections. However, when it comes to the roofing, conservatories generally have more options. Some are gabled or pitched, others are lean-to with a plethora of choice to finish off the roof.

Do You Need A Building Reg For A Conservatory?

If you’re planning to build a conservatory in your home, it’s only logical to consider whether or not you require a building reg for such a structure. Generally, several conservatories, summer buildings, sheds as well as outbuildings do not require building regulation approval to erect. One of the applicable rules is the fact that if they’re ( small or less than 30m2) or constructed with non combustible material, or are differentiated from structures nearby or land and don’t feature sleeping accommodation or room, then they’re not required to submit a building regulations approval application. However, it’s strongly recommended to check with your local authority before you commence the project as only they can provide the most accurate information.

Generally, conservatories should be primarily built of translucent walls and roofs, while also possessing an external type door separating them from the main building within a property. What’s more? The foundations and floors, however, can be laid in a number of ways, but you’ll have to put into consideration the conditions of the ground, trees as well as the existing drains. It’s also a wise decision to include insulation which makes the structure a lot easier to heat especially during the cold months.

Overall, conservatories are usually exempt from building regulations if the following conditions are met:

✓ If the conservatory is erected at ground level and are not up to 30 square metres in floor area.

✓ If the structure is separated from the rest of the house with an external quality walls, windows or doors

✓ If the conservatory features an independent heating system with different temperature as well as on/off controls

✓ If the glazing and electrical installations are in total compliancewith the relevant regulatory requirements.

This varies according to the quality of the conservatory and installation work. If these are both high quality, your conservatory should last at least 25 years. But obviously if you notice deterioration or leaks, then this could be an early warning sign that time is running out.

Lean-to conservatories happens to be some of the most versatile and underestimated conservatory styles you’ll find in the market today and little wonder they’re so popular in the UK. Lean to conservatories, also referred to garden sun room, have been an integral part of the English garden for almost a century. Some of the common features of this extension is being spacious, having large expanses of glazing as well as a special low pitched roof. In other words, lean-to conservatories are able to offer extra space while maximizing natural light and can also be easily installed into awkward spaces.

If you’re also thinking about getting a lean to conservatory, then you’d probably want know the numerous benefits that comes with it. In this post, we’re going to consider some of the reasons why installing a lean to conservatory is a smart decision.

1. It’s easily adaptable to most property styles. Possessing simple lines as well as slim slightlines a lean to conservatory can fit several styles of both traditional and modern homes. In fact, the low pitched roof makes the entire structure a lot easier to fit in rather awkward spaces, making them the ideal choice if you’re have limited outside space.
2. It’s very cost effective. This conservatory style happens to be one of the most affordable and cost effective type of conservatory you’ll find around. Due to their simple design as well as structure, both the cost of installation and maintenance can be minimized, saving you some cool bucks.
3. It offers more usable space. Lean to conservatory’s large design and smart design makes it suitable to add an additional usable space to your home or property.

If you are considering building a wooden conservatory in your home, it’s normal to be curious about whether or not the home improvement effort is costly. Basically, wooden conservatories are ones that have been constructed using a wooden structure. There are options to choose from which timber and this can also play a part in the amount you’ll have to pay. Conservatories using hardwood, which are more durable and requires less preparation, are also considerably costlier than the softwood counterpart.

For just the timber in a kit build your own conservatory you would be looking at around £10,000 to £20,000. Generally, a wooden conservatory built for you will cost you a range between £20,000 to £50,000 based on the type of wood, the size as well as the style you opt for.

In addition, wooden conservatory prices are also determined by the supplier you’re dealing with. As a result, it’s advisable to conduct a proper and detailed market research about the available suppliers and identify the one who truly offers quality materials at an affordable rate. If you wish to go for an Oak frame, the price will typically be higher.

To give your house a more traditional look, you can go for a timber conservatory rather than a uPVC one. However, it requires more maintenance than the uPVC as well as regular weatherproofing to prevent it from warping or rotting as a result of changes in humidity or temperature. If you want the timber look there are options with modern uPVC which can give a similar style but at a lower cost.