If you are looking for a new conservatory then contact us first. We will call to site by appointment to discuss and advise you whatever your needs may be. We can answer all of your questions regarding products, how they should be installed and current Building Regulation requirements. If you are considering placing an order we can make sure that the company concerned have considered any problems that may occur and that they have the design of the conservatory to cover the requirements. We can even call back on completion should you require and check that the work has been completed correctly. If there are problems, we can supply you with a report that can be sent to the company concerned.

Alternatively, we can arrange to take all necessary details of your requirements by appointment. These will normally be drawn up on site on a Laptop Computer, we will also draw up a specification which will include all of your requirements such as lighting, heating, air conditioning etc. and advise the companies who will quote off them including any possible problems there may be such as underground work and drainage etc. All of this information will be left with you on site on completion or forwarded to you at a later date.

Base and underground work

Many times we have been asked how a conservatory base should be constructed. We have compiled a basic guide which should cover the majority of cases and answer your questions.

The construction of a typical conservatory base is very similar to that of an extension to your house.

It is a general belief that; because a conservatory is lighter than an extension the foundation does not have to be very deep. This is not necessarily correct.

Firstly it is not possible to know precisely how deep the foundation will be until the ground is excavated and inspected for any 'made up areas' - this is where earth has been placed on existing ground.

Therefore it will be necessary to excavate a trench through this layer into load bearing ground. By doing this you will ensure that the conservatory has a good foundation base, as we expect that you do not want to wake up one morning to find your conservatory at the bottom of your garden.

Normally foundation trenches are between 450 X 600 - 1000mm deep. The other factors which determine the foundation depth will be tree roots, drains and services.

Reduction of Ground Levels

The areas where your conservatory is to be built should have any hard materials removed, i.e. patio, concrete slab, etc. and any vegetation soil removed to an approximate depth of 150mm.

Existing Underground Drains

Where an existing drain punctures a foundation the foundation must be below the drain invert (bottom of drain) and a precast lintel placed above the drain so ensuring that no weight is put onto the drain.

Foundations

The foundation trench can now be concreted. A mass fill is normally used as this tends to be quicker and therefore cheaper. The concrete is normally finished 150mm below ground level.

It is always a good idea to knock 350mm x 10mm steel pins into the side of the trench at 600mm centres levelled with a spirit level so you will know when the concrete in the trench is at the correct height.

Substructure

From the foundation level build up the D.P.C. level in matching brickwork to the external face and common bricks or concrete blocks to the inside skin.

100mm Concrete slab reinforced with a 142 steel mesh (optional) on 50mm sand blinding, on 250 micron damp proof membrane on 150mm (min) well consolidated clean hardcore. Surface of base screeded and self levelling (Latex) compound as required. If main house floor is vented (Timber Joists and Floorboards) then vent through base.

Oversite Construction with a Suspended Floor

Should the ground where the conservatory is to be built drop away more than 600mm (2ft) a timer or concrete suspended floor may be more desirable and be more cost effective.

With a suspended floor air bricks must be built into the substructure to ensure subfloor ventilation is achieved. Should the conservatory design be glass to floor the base would normally be left at this stage with a D.P.C. (damp proof course) bedded onto the external brickwork. Ready for the conservatory to be erected we would add that the brickwork and concrete are normally left to cure for approximately 5-10 days dependent upon weather conditions.

Dwarf Wall Option

From the D.P.C. level the brickwork can then be raised to the required height in cavity brickwork. Normally the cavity would be insulated with either expanded polystyrene of fibreglass to ensure a high degree of insulation to the conservatory. The two walls are held together with wall ties.

Specialist Foundations

In some conditions specialist foundations may be required e.g. brown filled sited (these are areas where old buildings have been demolished and a new development built, or areas where there are trees or very poor ground). All of these areas can be built upon but specialist foundations may be required such as a raft or piled foundations.

In general, domestic Conservatories are exempted under Building Regulations. Listed below are some of the exemption requirements under Building Regulations 1991 (as amendments). This criteria must be met for a Conservatory to be classified as exempt.

Planning  Permission for Conservatories

The fact is that home improvement is one of the largest growth areas in our economy today. We are all having Conservatories, extensions and loft conversions built onto our homes at a very high rate due to the increase in our disposable income.
Therefore, to keep a firm rein on these developments, Planning  requirements are getting tighter to ensure that the type of home improvement is in keeping with the surrounding houses and neighbourhood. I am sure we all agree - 'nobody would wish to live next to a monstrosity'.

Approximately 60% of Conservatories built will require Planning  permission.

Under the present legislation you may not require Planning permission providing you meet with the following conditions:

Detached Properties

You are allowed to develop up to 70m3 or 115% of the total volume of the dwelling whichever is greater. However, this is a combination of the total amount of extensions, i.e. is you have had a kitchen extension of 40m3 and require a Conservatory of 41m3 this would total 81m3 and Planning  permission would be required. Should the total be less than 70m3, or 115% of the volume of the dwelling, Planning  permission may not be required.

Semi Detached Properties

The same as detached properties, you are allowed to develop up to 70m3.

Terraced or End of Terrace Properties

Same as detached and semi-detached, but only 50m3 is allowed to be developed.

Flats or Maisonettes

This type of property has no permitted development rights and in all cases Planning  permission will apply, there are no exceptions. The above mentioned only applies to extensions after the 1 July 1948.

Listed below is some additional information and conditions which attract Planning  permission:

1. If you build within 2m of the boundary line and the highest point at that junction is 4m or more high.
2. If your Conservatory covers more than 50% of the original garden.
3. If your Planning  development rights have been removed.
4. Grade 1 or  II listed buildings. These may require hardwood Conservatories with glass roofs.
5. In a conservation area, National Park, outstanding beauty or Broads
6. Where a Conservatory is 20m or less from a road or public footpath. (see sketch A)
7. The Conservatory is higher than the highest part of the original house roof.

Sketch A	Irrespective of the size of the Conservatory, should the distance between points A and B be less than 20m Planning  permission may be required.
	Shaded Area may be any of the following: Road Highway Motorway Public Foot Path Bridal Way Access to another property Access to other garage

Impact onto the Boundary

Normally the local Planning  officer will be looking at the projection of the Conservatory i.e. how far it will protrude into the garden, normally they are happy at about 3m projection from the original house. However, should the proposed Conservatory extend more than 3m he may not look at it so favourably and ask for it to be reduced in size. The reason for this is so your neighbour does not have to look at a large brick wall more than 3m long. Hence the term impact onto the boundary.