WELCOME TO OUR DIY CONSERVATORIES ( UPVC ) PROJECT

This project is presented by DIY Supply Conservatories

Summary: Whether you want to order and erect your own conservatory or simply get a builder to do it for you, find out exactly what is involved in it's construction, what you need to think about before you begin, what regulations are involved, how the base is constructed and how it is built

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Building your own conservatory is not only extremely rewarding, it could save you up to 60% when compared to the full retail value of a new conservatory. A DIY Conservatory Kit from DIY Supply Conservatories is the perfect solution. Suppliers of both a “True-DIY” and “Pro-Fit” conservatory systems, they can provide DIY Upvc Conservatory Kits to suit any design. Coupled with the widest range of colours and options available anywhere you’ll be sure to find you dream conservatory at the right price.

See table for an explanation of the differences between a DIY and Pro-fit conservatory

CONSERVATORY TYPE	TRUE DIY CONSERVATORY	PRO-FIT SELF-BUILD CONSERVATORY
Frames Styles	Single Frame Modular	Large multi-lite frames up to 3m
Frame Glazing	Fully Pre-glazed	Unglazed. Loose glass to be fitted
Installation Instructions	Comprehensive with Install DVD	Instructions. Not comprehensive
Frame Connectors	18mm Aluminium, adjustable	3mm PVC or 8mm Aluminium
	No Screws, Konnect technology	Non adjustable, screw together
Experience to assemble	None required, just basic DIY skills	Yes, some previous experience beneficial
Other benefits	All parts separately labelled and bagged	Available in more colours
	Faster time to install for DIY'er	Wider choice of roof systems

Follow our 5 simple steps to your dream conservatory

STEP 1 :- Conservatory Design

The first thing to think about is the design you want. There are many different designs of conservatories available. Here are the most popular.


EDWARDIAN	VICTORIAN	LEAN TO	GABLE

Click here to view a wider range of designs or to go straight to Online Quote
It is important to be aware of the Planning restrictions that currently determine the size of your new conservatory. Conservatories are considered Permitted Development, and do not require a full

Planning Permission application, subject to certain limits and restrictions. The main points are as follows

No more than 50% of the original land around your house will be covered with additions.
No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.
3 metres maximum projection for a semi-detached house, and 4 metres if a detached house
A full list of the Permitted development restrictions can be viewed here.

STEP 2 :- Conservatory Specification

The specification you choose for your new DIY Conservatory largely depends on what you wish to use the conservatory for. Will it be a dining room, study, playroom, breakfast room, sunroom, lounge area, or just somewhere to relax? No matter what the use is going to be you should insist on your new DIY Conservatory having a minimum specification of:

70mm Internally Beaded Frames - Some companies still supply 60mm & 65mm externally beaded frames. These are not as thermally efficient as the 70mm frames and if the glazing beads being on the outside are also less secure.
28mm Low E (Heat Reflecting) Frame Glazing - This is essential if you don’t want to spend more than you have to heating your conservatory during the cooler months of the year. The special coating reflects heat back into the conservatory rather than it escaping through the glass. This type of glass is 2 x more thermally efficient than standard glass. The most popular brand-names of Low E glass are Pilkington K, SGG Planitherm and AGC Planibel.
25/35mm Polycarbonate - Polycarbonate is a very popular roof glazing material because it is cost effective and has very good thermal insulation values. Some companies still supply 16mm polycarbonate which is now out dated and you should stay clear of this.
High Performance Roof Glazing - Glass roofs are becoming more popular due to the advancements in technology. They can now out-perform polycarbonate insulation values and also reflect up to 78% of solar energy depending on the performance of each glazing type. The best products also have a self-cleaning coating for minimal maintenance. The most popular brands-names of High Performance roof glass are SGG Climaplus, Pilkington Activ and Celsius.
Fixing Pack & Instructions - As a part of the DIY Conservatory Kit you should be supplied with all the parts you need to complete your conservatory installation. Some suppliers do not do this or will show it as an expensive extra after the quote has been accepted.

The instructions should allow you to follow a step by step guide to erect your new conservatory and complete it to high standard of finish. All of the above specification is supplied “as standard” by DIY Supply Conservatories. For a detailed quote visit the DIY Supply Conservatories website

STEP 3 :- Conservatory Base

There are 2 choices when it comes to your new conservatory base. You could go for the traditional concrete conservatory base or, use an ever increasingly popular choice of a pre-fabricated base system.

Concrete Base:

The traditional concrete base is a very popular solution when building a conservatory. It is the tried and tested way of building a conservatory base. This can be built with a brick dwarf wall and

concrete strip foundations, or using the solid floor detail for a full height conservatory. Here is a cross section for typical dwarf wall and full height conservatory bases.

Advantage & Disadvantages of building a traditional concrete base are:-

Advantages: -	Easy to find a builder. Use same bricks or stone as original house Can be constructed to give excellent insulation values
Disadvantages: -	Quality of workmanship and costs vary. Lots of site disturbance, e.g. skip, ruined grass, concrete lorry. Different interpretations of a good base due to no governance. Not achievable for average DIY’er

Pre-fabricated Base System:

Pre Fabricated Conservatory Base A pre-fabricated base and wall system is becoming ever more popular, as it is the perfect complement to a DIY Conservatory. It allows the customer to complete the whole installation from start to finish without the need for a builder. They are also known as ‘steel bases’, due to the main structure being made from galvanised steel. The pre-fabricated walls are steel frames with ‘brick tiles’ bonded to the face to give the desired finish.

Advantages: -	Quick and easy to erect Supplied as a kit Minimal site disturbance Ideal for sites with restricted access Service channels built into walls
Disadvantages: -	Standard ranges of brick tiles available Cannot achieve as high insulation values as a well insulated concrete base

STEP 4 :- Conservatory Installation

A Do It Yourself installation provides the biggest cost saving for those who are happy to build their own conservatory. Your DIY Conservatory Kit will contain all you need to erect your conservatory entirely yourself. Here is an example of the step by step instruction guide from DIY Supply Conservatories.


BASE DONE	FRAMES UP	FINISHED!

Alternatively you could choose to buy the conservatory direct from DIY Supply Conservatories and get a builder in to construct the base and install the conservatory for you. The third option is to have your new conservatory installed onto a traditional or steel base by a professional installer using our recommended fitter service.

DIY Conservatory 3D Cad Layout Plan Whichever route you choose you will save a considerable amount of money when compared to normal retail installed prices. You will also have the satisfaction of increasing your permanent living space whilst almost certainly increasing your property’s value.

STEP 5 :- Get a Quote

For your free no obligation quotation, please fill in the Quote form below brought to you by DIY Supply Conservatories Ltd. You’re easy to understand quotation comes with Free 3D CAD drawings!

You can also take advantage of our ‘Try before you Buy’ service. Again this is a completely free service offered to all DIY Supply Conservatories customers.

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