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You might think that all wooden conservatories are the same. But there are actually lots of differences between them, and some conservatories are better than others. One of the most important factors to consider when you’re looking for a wooden conservatory is the type of wood that it’s made from. Generally, there are two different types to look out for: softwood and hardwood. So what wood should be used for a wooden conservatory?

Softwood conservatories are usually made from European redwood or Siberian larch. These types of conservatories are the cheapest wooden conservatories you can buy because the wood grows much faster than hardwoods. However, due to their soft nature, they may only last 7-15 years, reducing their cost-effectivity.

The best wood to use for a wooden conservatory is a hardwood. The most expensive type is oak, but you get what you pay for – it looks fabulous and it can also be coated with a bug and pest-resistant solution to increase its longevity. If you haven’t got the budget for oak, other hardwood options include Brazilian cedar, idigbo and luan, which are still great choices. Make sure you speak to your conservatory installer about the ‘closeness’ of the wood grains, as close-grained hardwoods are said to be the most suitable for conservatories. You should also check that your supplier has strict control of the quality of the wood so can ensure that it’s been well seasoned and prepared for use in construction.

No matter how small or little your lean to conservatory is, the benefits that can be derived from it remains immense. Not only does it add to the value of your home by making it more attractive to potential buyers and securing you a long term investment, but it can also serve as a relaxation or hang out spot with family and friends. In fact, with the lean to conservatory’s simplistic design, it happens to be an economical way to extend your home and also to maximize your living space. If you’re considering to build a small lean to conservatory on your property, then you’d probably want to know exactly how much this is going to cost. In this post, we’re going to look at the price involved in constructing a small lean to conservatory.

When it comes to building a lean to conservatory, there are a bunch of factors that’ll play a key role in the final cost of the project. For example, you’d have to make a decision on the glazing options, roof type, size and more. All these factors will have a huge impact on the final cost you’re going to incur to complete the project. For instance, a polycarbonate roof material lean to conservatory with a size of 3500mm x 2000mm will cost within a range of £7000 to about £8000, while a glass roof material lean to conservatory of the same size will cost within the range of £7500 to about £8500. In order to get a more accurate cost estimate for your small lean to conservatory project, there’s the need to call in a professional to discuss your specific requirements as well as budget.

First and foremost, a conservatory or a sunroom is a structure attached to the sunny part of a house which possess glass walls and roof which enables the sun’s entrance into the space. Conservatories happen to be a very popular structure in the UK as home and property owners are able to subject it to wide variety of uses such for relaxation, entertainment, hangouts with family and friends, reading and lots more. Therefore, when the conservatory roof is leaking a lot of activities could be affected. Hence, the more reason why you should know hoe to repair this kind of issue by yourself. However, if you’re not confident enough to carry out this task, we’ll recommend you call in a professional who can guarantee the best output the first time. In this guide, we’re going to look at the conservatory roof leak repair process.

• Spot the leak. The first line of action is to examine the conservatory’s roof to identify the leaking part (tip - most leaks takes place around transparent roof panes edges). If you have a slanted roof, you’d have to look carefully. The spot where it drips may not necessary imply that its the leaking spot.
• Remove the old seal. Climb a ladder to access the leaking pane. Then, with the help of a utility knife, lift out the panel and clean all traces of the old sealant. Once done, simply lay down a bead of the new sealant in the frame, press the clear panel back in place and apply sealant to the outer edges.
• Cracked pane. If the existing pane is cracked or broken, simply hold the pieces tightly together by applying tape across the pane in various directions
• Leak sealing. Another option to fix leaks is by applying a sealant around the leaking pane without having to remove it.

A good way to get rid of your conservatory is to sell it. Depending on its condition you may not make much money from it, but it’s an easy and financially viable way to get your old conservatory dismantled and out of the way. If you are replacing it, the installer can easily remove this for you completely.

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.

How To Tile Conservatory Roof

If you’re thinking about replacing your old conservatory roof with a tiled one, you’d probably want to know how you can go about it. Tiling of a conservatory roof comes with a plethora of benefits with the most significant one being a much improved insulation which helps you save money on heating bills. This activity is also, however, a task that is best done by a professional. It requires working at height which can be very dangerous and also demands a particular set of skills as well as confidence to make the project a safe and successful one. In other words, if you lack any of the aforementioned attributes, then we’d strongly recommend that you call in a reliable professional who can guarantee the best results for help. In this article, we’ll walk you through the conservatory roof tiling process.

✓ Remove the existing roof. As you would have guessed, the first step is to remove the old existing roof and dispose off in an environmental friendly way.

✓ Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) rafters are fitted so as to develop the structural frame for the new solid roof.

✓ Waterproofing. The next step is to add 100% waterproof sheets under the GRP rafters.

✓ Insulation. Once the waterproof sheets have been installed, it’s then time to fit the insulation boards making sure that there’s a 15mm gap between the boards and the waterproof sheets.

✓ Outer sheets. To minimize the number of roofing bars and increase the conservatory’s efficiency, you’ll have to include the outer sheets at this stage.

✓ Tiling. This is the final step in the process. Add the tiles to the conservatory roof and make sure that they’re firmly secured. This wouldn’t take forever as most conservatories are not that big in size.

What Is The Best Material For A Conservatory Roof?

In the past, conservatories normally have just a single roof material option - polycarbonate. However, there are a number of problems that was faced by some of the older models such as overheating, leaking roof, cold spots as well as poor sound insulation. With the great improvement in conservatory roof technology, better models have been developed which have completely eradicated these issues.

In recent times, we now have a wider varieties of materials that are incorporated to make conservatory roofs which are able to perform much better for a longer period of time. While tiled roof are incredibly useful to minimize heat loss, glass roof make use of clever reflective coating to keep the space at a comfortable temperature and modern polycarbonate roofs are now more energy efficient than it has ever been. So picking the best material for your conservatory roof is now a matter of preference.

✓ Glass conservatory roofs. This type of conservatory roof material is the perfect choice if you want a sleek, architectural finish for your conservatory. Not only are they available indifferent shapes and sizes, but you can also choose a large atrium style roof. They are made using solid aluminium frames that works to support the glass units which are thermally efficient and designed to retain natural heat while reflecting the sun’s glare.

✓ Tiled conservatory roof. Tiles roof are able to fit both the shape and size of your conservatory which provides you with a sloping or vaulted ceiling. They come in varying tiled finishes to match any style home like Marley clay, slate grey, pale shingles amongst others. Tiled roof are also called “warm roofs due to their particularly high levels of thermal insulation. They can also be installed quite easily and as quickly as any other conservatory roof options.