DIY Conservatories UK

Find DIY Supplies Online at:

Do It Yourself Conservatories

Conservatories became popular during the Victorian era for raising exotic plants and relaxing in. These days they are no longer solely for the purpose of having an indoor garden. With double-glazing and efficient modern heating, they can be an additional room which can be used for any purpose, even in winter. Some older houses originally had outside lavatories, and building a conservatory on the back of the house to enclose the lavatory gives the house another indoor toilet. Likewise if the kitchen is very small, then building a conservatory onto the back of the house is a cheaper way of extending downstairs space than going for a full extension.

DIY conservatories come in a wide range of sizes and styles, and can be bought in kit form to take some of the pain out of building them yourself. The materials required are timber for the walls, either timber framing, aluminium or uPVC plastic framing. Use polycarbonate sheeting for conservatory roofs. It is light but strong and neither discolours nor becomes brittle with age. Double-glazed glass is used for windows and doors to make the conservatory easier to heat in the winter. Try to find a design of conservatory that matches the style of house. Wooden frames may require occasional painting or treatment with wood preserver, but aluminium or uPVC ones should require no maintenance.

Small conservatories do not require planning permission and building control approval from your local authority, but it is worth checking with them first as they can help. First look at the manufacturer's specification for your preferred design to check the size of the conservatory against the size of your site - assess whether there could be problems with drainage, nearby trees or other obstructions. Other considerations are: ease of access from the house; ventilation; and the direction of the sun. A south-facing conservatory will get the sun all year round and so be a pleasant room for use in winter, but may overheat in the summer. West-facing conservatories get the sunshine in the afternoons and evening, east-facing conservatories get the morning sunshine and north-facing conservatories will not receive much direct sunlight at all. Putting your conservatory on a corner can increase your options as it will get light from two directions.

Conservatories are greatly affected by changes in external weather conditions so heating and ventilation needs to be carefully controlled, particularly if the conservatory is to be used all year round. Large glass panels will absorb heat from the sun quickly but will lose heat quickly as well. Double-glazing helps retain heat. Internal heating is required in the winter so the house's heating system will need to be extended. Good ventilation is essential to prevent overheating in the summer and condensation in the winter. DIY conservatories are usually supplied with roof ventilators and opening windows or top vents.

Pink Fridge Online Magazine > dating online > marriage counselling > wedding planning guide > pregnancy symptoms & advice > how to work at home > car insurance advice > overcome depression > hairloss in women > weight loss > diet pills > skin care > tanning > baby gifts > planning a funeral > shopping for perfume > shopping for earrings > shopping for engagement rings > shopping for sunglasses > shopping for shoes > shopping for wedding favours > shopping for wine

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2009 - DIY UK

Contact | Disclaimer | Sitemap | Advertising