Frequenlty Asked Questions:
What are Garden Buildings?
A conservatory is sometimes referred to as a 'garden building' because it is not necessarily considered for Building Regulation purposes an integral part of your home. The term more accurately describes a 'sun-lounge' or 'lean-to' conservatory.
Please define Double glazed windows
Double glazed windows are designed to create a more temperate clime in your home. Double glazing does not guarantee the absence of condensation but it helps fight against it. The use of 'Low E' glass such as Pilkington 'K' and the filling of the units with an inert gas such as 'Argon' certainly helps.
Do you offer a Conservatory Design service?
Apart from a few standard sized conservatories such as those supplied by B and Q and Wickes, most conservatories are designed specifically to your home. By working with our design team we endeavour to create a conservatory giving you the maximum usage whilst being aesthetically pleasing.
What are Roofline Products?
This term refers to the fascia, soffit, bargeboards and rainwater goods to be found around the roofline of your home.
Please define 'Lean-to conservatory'
This term refers to a 'garden room' or 'sun-lounge' with a mono-pitch roof.
Is Self Cleaning Glass a reality?
This is available in the form of Pilkington Actif and is remarkably efficient. Please refer to the 'render' under the heading 'Glass Choice' on page one of the website. (Sometimes referred to as 'self cleaning windows').
What do you mean by the term 'Double glazed units'?
This refers to the glass units themselves rather than to the whole window.
Who are 'Rehau windows’?
Rehau is the West German extruder of the profile. Class leaders for over 60 years Rehau is still a 'family' run firm.
Can you help with Conservatory planning permission?
In general a domestic conservatory is exempt under UK building regulations. We have listed below some of the exemptions requirements under building regulations 1991 (as amendments). This criteria must be met for a conservatory to be classified as exempt.
Conservatories are normally exempt from building regulations when:
Built at ground level
Conservatories are less than 30 square metres in floor area
At least 50% of area that will form the external boundary / edge of the conservatory must be glazed and 75% of the roof area to be covered with either glass or polycarbonate
All conservatories must be separated from the house by an external quality door, patio door or French doors.
Glazing and the electrical installation must comply with IEE and building regulations
It is not recommended to build conservatories where they will hamper ladder access to windows serving quarters in roof or loft conversions, principally if any of the windows are proposed to help escape or rescue in a fire situation.
Any new structural opening linking the conservatory to the house will necessitate building regulations approval, even if the conservatory is an exempt building.
Do you supply Decorative glass?
There is a huge range of styles of decorative glass both contemporary and historic on the main website under the heading 'Glass Choice'.
How do you go about building a conservatory?
All will be slightly different as the ground condition governs aspects such as depth of footings, drainage etc. However to see how the basic steps are undertaken please see our conservatory 'render' on the main website under 'Conservatory Build'.
What is special about glass roofed conservatories?
This is where glass units have replaced polycarbonate. The advantages are many; they are much better at maintaining an equable temperature, are quiet in all but the fiercest rain and wonderfully light and airy. There is a price premium to pay; but worth every penny.
What options do we have with Conservatory doors?
These may be single, French, patio or Bi-fold; the best way to decide is to discuss the various options with your installer.
Please define 'Double glazing glass'
This is no different to normal glass; it is merely a process whereby two pieces of glass are joined in such a way as to leave an air gap in the middle to assist with heat emmissivity and reduce condensation.
