Our business has been built on providing the highest specification DIY conservatories direct to the public at trade prices.
Everybody looks for the best deal they can find in today's highly competitive market place and buying a DIY conservatory is no different. However, making your purchasing decision on price alone could be a costly mistake that will return to haunt you in the future. Today's cheap conservatory bargain could easily prove to be tomorrow's white elephant if the specification of the conservatory structure is too low.
When comparing our quote with others do be sure to carefully check their specifications against ours. If their price is substantially cheaper than ours it will normally mean that the specification of their conservatories are also lower than ours and any saving you make now could impact on the quality of the finished structure and more importantly, the amount of time you will be able to spend actually using the additional living space.
Here are the main elements that you will need to consider carefully:
Roof Structure
The conservatory roof is the most important part of the structure. Our PREMIER conservatory range uses Ultraframe conservatory roofs because it has been in use throughout the UK, Europe and the USA for over twenty five years and has an excellent pedigree. The roof has integrated trickle ventilation through the eaves and optional Ridgeflow ventilation for the ridge provides up to four changes of air in the roof space per hour.
Window and door glazing
There are two main types of double glazed sealed units available but most of our competitors will normally include option 1 as standard due to the cost savings:
1) Standard Float Glass [U value 2.7]
Standard air filled sealed units have poor heat retaining qualities even if they are argon filled and will lose your valuable heat in the winter resulting in higher fuel bills. They also provide little protection against solar gain in the summer which means higher temperatures inside the conservatory and possible fading of furniture and floor covering, especially if the conservatory is south facing.
2) K Glass [U value 1.8]
Whilst the addition of K glass will improve insulation in the colder months, because it is a 'hard-coat Low E' glass with little protection against solar gain it will actually trap hot air in the summer increasing the ambient temperature inside the conservatory considerably.
Staycool Solar Control Double Glazing
With an exceptionally low U Value of just 1.1 we include Staycool solar control double glazing as standard in the side frames of our PREMIER conservatory range. This innovative glazing will help block UV rays and block 57% of the sun's solar heat helping to maintain a comfortable enviroment in warmer weather and will also retain your heat in the winter.
Glazing method
Some self build conservatories are still supplied with an external glazing bead to retain the glass. Externally glazed windows and doors are a potential security threat as the glazing beads and sealed units can be removed from the outside allowing easy access for an intruder.
All conservatories featured on this site are internally glazed ensuring that the glass cannot be removed from the outside.
Roof Glazing Options
1) Polycarbonate Roof Glazing
16mm polycarbonate is still offered by many suppliers because of the cost savings available.
25mm or 35mm polycarbonate in a choice of clear, opal, bronze or heatguard is standard on all of our conservatories. 35mm is the optimum thickness providing improved insulation and noise reduction.
2) Glass Roof Glazing
The addition of a glass roof to any conservatory will considerably improve the aesthetics. However, as with the windows and doors above using standard air filled glass sealed units for the roof will mean loss of heat through the roof in winter and create a sauna in summer.
Solar control glass with will reflect up to 78% of direct heat from the sun and the subtle green or blue tint also reduces glare by 68% whilst blocking UV rays that can damage your internal furnishings. With an exceptional 1.0 U value our solar control roof glass also retains your valueable heat in the winter.
Opening vents
All conservatories needs adequate ventilation to ensure the free-flow of air. Many suppliers still only offer two openers as standard.
We include four opening vents as standard and you can add more if you want to.
Security
It is important to ensure a high level of security is maintained for your new conservatory. Some conservatories only include basic espagnolette locking as standard.
We provide high security Pincer locking to all openers which is backed by the manufacturer's own £1,000 warranty against forced entry. All doors are fitted with hook bolt locking, two handles with keyed alike cylinders and restrictors to prevent to the door leaves from opening back onto the brickwork.
Window and door profile
There are many different PVCu profiles on the market in various shapes and sizes. Most PVCu frames are 70mm deep but you may still find some conservatories offered with frames supplied with 60mm deep or less frames.
Our DIY conservatories are manufactured using 70mm ovolo sculptured profile which replicates traditional timber windows and doors. Some of our coloured foil range of conservatories and our upvc bifold doors are manufactured using Swish upvc profile which is very similar in appearance.
You only get what you pay for
All of us like a bargain and it's no different when it comes to buying a DIY conservatory. With so many suppliers to choose from it's easy to choose the cheapest and consider that you've bought a bargain. In the real world however, cheap conservatories are unlikely to offer good insulation factors such as heat retaining glass which will help to keep the conservatory warm in the winter without escalating your fuel bill.
We want you to take your time and consider all the facts before making your purchase. You should find all the information you require on this web site or through the external links provided. In particular, please consider the high specification of our DIY conservatories compared to most of our competitors, some of whom will no doubt be cheaper than us and remember you only get what you pay for.
Buying a lower specification product may save you money now but could mean you are only able to use the conservatory for 9 months of the year because it is either too cold and too expensive to heat in the winter or like a sauna in the summer.
For a quick and easy way to compare our conservatory specification against others download our Product Evaluation Guide.
Follow these links to get the facts about Climate Control and Insulation Values.