| Buying
a DIY conservatory can be a quite daunting
task with so many DIY selfbuild conservatory
suppliers and so many conservatory specifications
to choose from not to mention the vast range
of DIY conservatory styles and sizes, here
are a few DIY hints and tips to guide you
through the maze and to help you make the
right decision.
Styles:
Choosing the right style of DIY selfbuild
conservatory to suit your property, lifestyle
and budget is the first and one of the most
important steps. Make sure you consider
what the DIY upvc conservatory will mainly
be used for: for example if you want a DIY
conservatory simply to bring your garden
indoors or to feel like you are outside
when it is too cold to be outside, a DIY
upvc Victorian style may well be best for
you. If you intend to use your upvc conservatory
as a functional room such as a dining room,
study or lounge you may be well advised
considering a Lean to Traditional/Sun lounge
or an Edwardian as these styles will give
better use of the floor area. To combine
the best of both worlds you may want to
consider a P shape DIY conservatory.
Planning
Permission:
Generally speaking DIY conservatories are
exempt from planning permission but may
have to comply with building regulations,
to avoid any surprises later on we would
always advise that you contact your local
planning office before you do anything else
to make sure that there are no problems.
Look
at our planning permission information.
Suppliers:
Choosing the right supplier for your selfbuild
DIY pvcu conservatory is probably the most
important and difficult decision of all,
with so many to choose from all offering
gimmicks and purporting to be better than
the other, making the right choice can be
difficult. Here are some helpful hints and
tips. Always choose a reputable supplier,
one who has been around for a long time
and/or who are part of large group (guarantees
are only as good as the company who issue
them). Ask your supplier about the quality
standards to which the DIY conservatory
and its components are manufactured to,
particularly the roof as this is one of
the most important parts of the conservatory.
Ask about the reinforcing in the window
frames, some companies only reinforce critical
areas and some not at all! (Whilst the roof
is an important part of the conservatory,
if the supporting structure is not up to
the job there may well be problems ahead)
don’t forget to ask about the profile
i.e. thickness, accreditations and colour
stability (some profiles in recent years
have suffered a severe problem called pinking).
Check if all or any of the DIY conservatory
components have BBA approval and ask about
the guarantees i.e. which components are
covered and for how long. Ask if the locking
mechanisms, handles, hinges, espags and
shoot-bolts etc are manufactured to British
Standards and if they are ABI (Association
of British Insurers) approved. Lastly and
equally important study the sales literature
and presentation of the sales info pack
as this is a good measure of the company
and quality (first impressions count).
Technical
Support and Information:
Ask your supplier if they offer a pre sale,
installation and post sale technical support
service, ask how much experience the technical
manager has and whether his/her experience
extends to the field i.e. onsite installation
experience. Check that he/she is conversant
with current building and planning regulations
and that they are conversant with the requirements
for conservatory installations, near to
boiler flu’s etc. Ask about the installation
instructions and site plans that you will
need and check that they have been written
by a competent person (if you are not sure
ask for a copy).
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