Why use us to supply and build your Conservatory?

Simple, we are independent.  We can obtain your conservatory from the best source for you - whether it be from a large glamorous conservatory supllier, or an off-the-shelf conservatory from a DIY Store.  We are able to obtain the conservatory at a discounted rate, and we pass the saving directly onto you, our client. 

Not only can we get the conservatory cheaper, but we can construct the foundations and base, build the dwarf walls, fit the conservatory, plaster the interior, light it, heat it, floor it and even furnish it, all without having to talk to, how can we put this nicely, ... an over enthusiastic salesman.

Lets face it, once you have chosen the conservatory, who has all the responsibility to make sure it looks good and suits your type of house? The builder. Who follows the project through to completion, making sure it has the right insulation, heating and flooring? Again the builder. Why pay a salesman all that commission when you can go to a 'one stop shop' building solution company such as Simple Building Solutions.

So what do you need to do next? Have a look around, read the material below and on the Internet, get an idea of the design and the shape and how much you want to spend, call us on 0845 003 8382, and we will do the rest.
 

 

Why build a Conservatory instead of an Extension or Converting a Loft or Garage?

Conservatories were very popular in Victorian and Edwardian times and, with the introduction of modern building techniques, have become an affordable and desirable part of modern-day living. In fact, over a quarter of a million were built in 2006.

For many people they are an ideal way of acquiring more living space without having to move house. In many instances planning permission is not needed and, provided they are well-built, they are almost guaranteed to add value to your property. They provide a versatile space and can be used as a sun room, dining room, breakfast room, family den, study or even kitchen. One of the real advantages of conservatories over any other type of extension, is that they let in the light and warmth from the garden whilst at the same time providing shelter from the elements.

Where to build it?

Conservatories have traditionally been built on the back of properties, leading out to the garden, although it is possible to have them on the side or even the front of a house. Since they are designed to feel part of the garden, they are almost exclusively built on the ground floor level, although there is no real reason (apart from planning implications) why they cannot be built on an upper level, depending on the design of your house.

Different aspects bring with them different advantages and disadvantages, and careful consideration should be given to the direction of your proposed conservatory at the planning stage.

• East-facing - This will get the sun in the morning so is ideal for a breakfast room. It will not overheat in the middle of the day or evening.
• West-facing - This will get the sun from late afternoon onwards and provides good conditions for many plants.
• North-facing - This will get angled sun at the start and end of the day and, although it will not overheat in the summer, it could be bitterly cold in the winter. Unless you are using the conservatory solely as a summer sun-room, give careful consideration to how you are going to heat it.
• South-facing - This is excellent for catching the sun but will be unbearably hot in the summer with the sun overhead at the hottest time of the day. Give careful thought to ventilation and blinds.

Designing your conservatory

Perhaps the most important point when planning the sort of conservatory you want,  is to ensure that it is in keeping with the rest of the house. Ornate conservatories can look wrong on a plain Georgian or 1960s house, for instance, and modern materials do not complement period buildings. Although it is wise to make the most of your new space, make sure that it does not dwarf the original house by making the conservatory too big. Similarly, do not lose too much of your garden by being over-ambitious with your conservatory plans.

When planning the dimensions, it is a good idea to mark the area out with string and place some garden furniture in it, to get an idea of how much room you need. If you are planning to use it as a dining room, make sure that you have enough room for a dining table and chairs.

Think carefully about the positioning of French doors. Having them at the front of the conservatory is good when they are open leading on to the lawn but it can give a corridor feel and can restrict where you put your furniture. It may therefore be better to have them at the side, leading on to the patio or garden path.

There is little consistency within the industry as to what constitutes a Victorian, Edwardian or Georgian conservatory. Even the humble "lean-to" design is often referred to as a Home Extender. There are brochures galore, however, showing every possible variation, and the Internet is an excellent starting point.

Materials and Fittings

Conservatories can be made of uPVC, aluminium or hardwood.

uPVC

Perhaps the most common material, uPVC is a thermoplastic which can be moulded into shape when heated and then becomes rigid when cooled. It can be strengthened with aluminium for roofs, conservatory frames or doors and, provided it is a good quality, will not discolour. Traditionally it came only in a white finish but nowadays wood grain effects are popular, often mahogany or golden oak. It has the advantage of being low in maintenance, long-lasting and the cheapest of the three options.

Aluminium

This comes in strong slim sections meaning that you are able to have more glass in your conservatory. This may be the best material for conservatories which do not have a brick wall beneath the windows. It is, however, more expensive than uPVC and not as well insulated.

Hardwood

Such conservatories were very popular in the Victorian and Edwardian eras and ideal for a more traditional feel. The wood generally comes from sustainable sources in Europe and Africa, perhaps the most popular being mahogany and oak. This is the most expensive option and, although hardwood requires more maintenance than uPVC or aluminium, modern varnishes reduce the work required.

For the roof, you have the choice of glass or polycarbonate. Glass, being heavy is not always suitable depending on the design of your conservatory, but, if you have the money available, the best for controlling heat and condensation is a specialist glass (various name for these). Polycarbonates are lighter and cheaper but can be very noisy in the rain.

Heating and ventilation

If you want to be able to use your conservatory all year round, heating is an important element to consider, particularly if it is north or east facing. Some people choose to extend their central heating system to cover their new conservatory, whilst others prefer the idea of free-standing heaters. If you opt to have an extra radiator or two, be sure to check your existing heating system. It is important not to put too much strain on your boiler. It is of course cheaper to buy a couple of small, compact, portable electric heaters which have the added advantage of being quick to heat the room and can be put away in the summer.

As far as ventilation is concerned, roof vents are the easiest option. These can be opened manually or alternatively you might like to splash out on electric ones which open automatically at a set temperature and close if it starts to rain. Roof fans are also worth considering and can add an attractive tropical feel to the room.

Blinds

Conservatory blinds help to keep the room cool, give privacy if you are overlooked and plan on using your conservatory on dark evenings, and help to reduce fading from the sun's glare. Blinds can be fitted to both the roof and windows and come in a variety of materials and designs.

There are also fabrics such as Solar R which reflect up to 85% of the sun's energy. Window blinds can be roller or pleated and, no matter what shape your roof is, blinds can be made to measure. If money is no object you can buy blinds which are operated by remote control.

Flooring

Your choice of flooring will depend to a great extent on what you are using your conservatory for. If you want an outdoors feel, then tiles or wooden flooring will probably suit you best. With the introduction of engineered hardwood flooring, a solution is now available. It comes in the traditional woods such as oak, cherry, beech, maple, ash, teak and mahogany. If on the other hand you are using your conservatory as a dining room for instance and want it to feel a proper part of the house, then carpet may be a better bet.

Planning Permission

It is generally thought that if you build a conservatory on the back of your house then you don't need planning permission. Unfortunately this is not always the case as 60% of all conservatories built do require some sort of planning permission. We can advise you from the information you provide us with; however, different local authorities have different rules and regulations so always contact your local planning office for advice. As a starting point, the following are some general rules of thumb:

• Detached or semi-detached houses can be extended by up to 70 cubic metres or 115% of the house's total volume, whichever is greater. This, however, includes any previous extensions.
• Similar provisions apply to terraced or end of terrace houses but the limit is reduced to 50 cubic metres.
• Planning permission is unlikely to be granted if the conservatory covers more than half of the garden. Likewise, conservatories should not normally be 20m or less from the road or public footpath.
• If your conservatory juts out from the house by more than 3m, planning permission is likely to be denied on the grounds that it will affect your neighbours' enjoyment of their property. Similar rules apply to conservatories built within 2m of the boundary if the highest point is 4m or more.
• If your house is a Grade II listed building or in a conservation area, you may be obliged to use hardwood and glass rather than modern materials.
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Free Consultation Visit

From your initial inquiry, our consultant will visit you and quickly determine the feasibility of your plans. Your specific requirements will be discussed with you and advice given on the most suitable conservatory for your property. Within 7 days you will receive a full specification and fixed price quotation. Call us 0845 003 8382 or contact us via e-mail.