Conservatory

Aruffell

Aruffell

Aruffell

Soldato
Joined
29 Dec 2004
Posts
5,653
Location
Chatham, Kent
As explained in other threads, we're moving into our new property around June time if things go to plan and it's completed on time. As it's a new build, we're looking at doing the garden from scratch as it has nothing in it apart from some slabs and some top soil so we thought that it was a prime time to look at putting a conservatory in.

So far we've only spoken to one company (Fine-Line) who have quoted us £40,000 but am thinking as they are a big company, maybe this is on the expensive side of things?

I called Everest, but they won't do any quotes until we actually physically own the property, so I'm guessing they don't want our business. I'm only after some rough estimates.

Our property is 8.7 metres wide so wanted the conservatory to be the same width and was looking at coming out around 3.8 metres, so that we fall under 30 metres squared for internal space, meaning we don't have to adhere to regulations etc...

Any ideas on getting quotes for this? I honestly wasn't expecting it to be so expensive and was honestly thinking it would be around £20,000 or so but we are toying with the idea of bi-folding doors which I know add onto the cost.

Would independents be cheaper than a mainstream company such as Everest or Fine-Line or would we be better off going with a large trusted company like that?

Also, does anyone know the situation with having underfloor heating in a conservatory? Any regulations in place, as from what I can find, it's a bit of a grey area.

Thanks,

Andy
 
Adam said:
Don't bother with a conservatory, it's very difficult to get the temperature right as the glass doesn't offer any insulation in the water and makes it like an oven in the winter.I'd put the money towards other improvements or a proper extension personally.
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Will be adding underfloor heating as the rest of the downstairs will have it anyway.
 
Adam said:
And what happens when you turn the under floor heating on? The heat goes up and through the glass windows/roof.

£40k is stupid money but even at £10k/20k I don't think they are great value for money.
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UFH doesn't quite work like that. It's more to take the chill off through your feet.
 
jellybeard999 said:
I'd echo the above. A proper room with decent windows, skylight and some nice doors would be much more preferable and while I'd imagine more expensive than a conservatory, it SHOULD be a damn sight less than £40k!
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But surely would involve planning permission?

This is the type of thing I was looking to have done - http://imgur.com/a/gG0tM

Would be around 30 square metres in total size.

Thanks,

Andy
 
So done some more digging into the style I want and it seems that they are all made by the same company (Ultra Frame) and are all part of their "livin room" range.

More information can be found here - http://www.ultraframe-conservatories.co.uk/orangery-products/livin-room-orangery/

You can choose to have dwarf walls or just pillars and go full height windows. They can plaster the brick wall of the house so that it looks more like a room and as long as you keep the doors, it's still classed as a conservatory so doesn't require any planning permission. The only thing it requires is consent from the builder of the house who have already told me for an "admin fee" of £125, they will give the consent as a covenant is in place otherwise.

The guy from the local installing firm is working on a more concrete quote but thinks it will be closer to the £20,000 mark so happy days :)

Andy
 
NickK said:
Hmm.. Well ours looks very similar in the materials in their images. Firstly they will have gaps that allow wind through... if not now then in 5-10 years they will! They do loose heat easily once this occurs and in winter they're almost as cold as outside.

Without blinds to prevent sunstroke and sun burn (yes!) then the space isn't really that usable during a summer's day. The fact that you may need sunglasses inside when looking at white paper - regardless of the 'solar' marketing claptrap means you will still want blinds..
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They have reflective roofing (a blue tint to it) - I went and saw one last night and could see the blue tint which assists with that.

NickK said:
From experience if the extension is designed as a room, with the insulation and limited heat loss by having only some windows on the roof, then the room is more usable for a longer period of time. Add to that if you're making an extension you want it as a extension of the space.. not another small pokey room that is too awkward to be used.
The fact that someone says "keep a door" in there.. and that there's no mention of extending the heating system to the new living space..

Just had a play on their site.. this is the sort of thing we're interested in:

http://www.ultraframe-conservatories.co.uk/orangery/ranges/winchester/

One other thing to think about is security.. the effect on insurance. If the doors are outward opening - the hinges are typically on the outside.. making it less secure. The sliding patio doors are better if they have individual locking because their hinges are inside the door not outside. It may be that the removal of the existing wall door will also be seen as reducing security.
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We looked at that idea but with a flat roof you'll find that your home insurance will go up due to the fear of trapping water etc...

We are keeping our doors from the kitchen/diner so it will be cut off completely and the underfloor heating will be on a separate zone so that we're not heating it when it's not needed.

Security wise, we are getting a Texecom Ricochet system which will include security on the conservatory too as well as sensors (IR) too.

Andy
 
NickK said:
Interesting - I wonder at what point something is a "flat roof". If you could have a shallow apex with roof skylights. Technically not flat and at the same time stronger in the event of snow buildup.

Can be a little worrying with the roof -> conservatory avalanche with large amounts of snow we had previously :) Didn't have a problem in the end.
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If you check the ultra frame website then you'll see they have tested their structures to cope with that "once in 50 years" catastrophe that the British call snow and it's been tested under high winds too etc...

I'm lucky that I live in the south east. We don't get snow. We get the occasional white stuff for 5 minutes every 3 years but I'd never call it "snow".

Andy
 
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