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When people talk about finishes on a wooden conservatory, there are a few different things that they may be referring to. Some may be referring to the colour and type of wood used to build the conservatory, but they may also be talking about the type of treatment used to protect the wood from the weather. We’ll cover both bases for what finish is best on a wooden conservatory here.

When you’re thinking about the best wood type and finish for the conservatory, it’s best to go with a hardwood. There are both hardwoods and softwoods, and hardwoods are the most durable. Oak is the most expensive choice but is also the most durable, so lots of people decide to go for this option. Other good choices that are slightly cheaper are Brazilian cedar and idigbo. Softwoods like European redwood or Siberian larch are cheaper still, but they won’t last as long, so it may work out more cost-effective to spend more on a hardwood.

Wood is a natural material, so it’s important to look after your wooden conservatory to prevent it from rotting or getting attacked by bugs and pests. Your conservatory will be exposed to all weathers, so you’ll need to use a good finish to ensure that it stays in tip-top condition for years to come. Your installer should be able to tell you what’s best, but some of the best finishes for a wooden conservatory include breathable varnishes and decking oil. However, if you do use an oil, it’s best to use a preservative treatment too; oil will only repel water. Joints are particularly susceptible to water penetration, so make sure you use a good wood treatment and focus on areas where water would pool during rain. Then you can apply a decking oil afterwards.

There several benefits to be derived from constructing a wooden conservatory. Not only do they have an immense visual appeal that’s difficult to rival, but also offer a plethora of other benefits as well. You get to choose from a variety of styles, wooden conservatories are versatile as the wood can be carved to your taste, they can come with a warranty between 10-25 years, they are strong and durable, and finally, they go a long way to increase your property value.

With that in mind, there are a wide range of wood types that are available in the market which you can choose from and the best option largely depends on varying factors. These includes your preference, budget and many more. Below are some types of woods you can consider to construct your new extension.

• Oak

This is a very popular wood type ( especially in the UK) when it comes to constructing wooden conservatories, thanks to its top notch hard wood.

• Iroko

This is a special type of hardwood that possesses a very lengthy lifespan, just like an oak. Due to its extraordinary quality, this wood type can be very rare to come by which implies a really costly price tag.

• Sapele

This is a type of wood that is widely known for its strength. It is very durable and comes with a great finish.

• Mahogany

Mahogany is an exceptionally strong wood that’s a lot resistant to warping than most of the other woods. It possesses a red colour which will turn to grey overtime.

• Idigbo

Only top wood experts can actually differentiate between a stained idigbo and an oak. Being a light wood, idigbo is usually a cheap option and absolutely very easy to work with.

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Building a conservatory can be a challenging task. But whether you plan to hire a professional to build your aluminium conservatory or are considering DIY, it’s good to start with a rough idea of how the process works.

It’s essential to begin with a strong conservatory base. The area needs to be measured out carefully and then dug out. You then need to level the earth and pour in concrete. Your damp proof course goes on top of this, preventing rising damp from entering your structure and creating the floor level.

Then, you need to build your conservatory walls. Start by building your dwarf wall, positioning the external sills on top. Next, fix in the frames and hang your doors. Sit your roof ridge on top of the frames, and add the roof rafters.

Finally, you need to fit the glazing sheets and guttering. Once this is all done, your new aluminium conservatory is ready to go!

• The rules only apply to houses – flats and maisonettes are not included
• Only 50% of the area of land around the original house can be covered by extensions, including conservatories, and other buildings
• You mustn’t build the conservatory higher than the highest part of the original roof
• Where the wooden conservatory comes within 2 metres of the boundary, the height at the eaves can’t exceed 3 metres
• A rear wooden conservatory can’t extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than 4 metres if it’s a detached house, or more than 3 metres for any other type of house
• For side extensions, for example a lean-to wooden conservatory, it can’t exceed 4 metres in height and can only be up to half the width of the original house

There are several reasons why an aluminium conservatory installation is a great way to expand your home.

Firstly, it’s strong and durable. This means that as well as providing you with a conservatory that’s more secure, this frame material will also last longer and cope with harsher weathering that wooden or uPVC conservatories.

Aluminium also offers more design possibilities. It can be bent into custom shapes, making it ideal if you want to create a unique, stylish home extension. It comes in a wide range of colours, so you can coordinate it with your existing property.

An aluminium conservatory installation can also help you maximise light in your home. They have very thin frames compared to wood and uPVC, so they’re a great choice if you want to let in as much daylight as possible.

Getting its name from it’s original use and commonly mistaken for conservatories, orangeries were developed about four hundred years ago to help protect citrus fruits from the winter frosts. An orangery is basically a room extension featuring a flat perimeter roof, brick base as well as a central roof lantern including doors and windows. Even though it originates from Italy and made more modern by Holland’s architectural development, orangeries have grown to become an ubiquitous phenomenon within the British society with thousands of the extension being built every year. They’re built in a similar way to conservatories, however, orangeries are typically developed from a brick base and usually making use of a stone or brick pillars to provide support to a flat roof perimeter. Also, the common choice for an orangery is a central roof lantern including glass panels or vent windows. Unlike conservatories which usually make use of patio doors, orangeries are more likely to have more complex bi-folding door system - enhancing the visual appeal of the extension in a more unique and stylish way.

Orangeries typically incorporates less glass when compared to a conservatory - thereby, allowing a moderate amount of natural light into the space. This way, you would not have to go outdoors to enjoy the sunlight during the summer months. Generally, the extension also offers a atrium-style ceiling height while also protecting your space from excessive sunlight and adding character to your home.

In conclusion, orangeries are an excellent choice when it comes to extending your home - be it to make a room larger or adding a new room all together. Ultimately, they go a long way to add incredible value to your home for resale purposes. Orangeries are best installed by seasoned professionals in order to ensure the best outcome.

First and foremost, a conservatory or a sunroom is a structure attached to the sunny part of a house which possess glass walls and roof which enables the sun’s entrance into the space. Conservatories happen to be a very popular structure in the UK as home and property owners are able to subject it to wide variety of uses such for relaxation, entertainment, hangouts with family and friends, reading and lots more. Therefore, when the conservatory roof is leaking a lot of activities could be affected. Hence, the more reason why you should know hoe to repair this kind of issue by yourself. However, if you’re not confident enough to carry out this task, we’ll recommend you call in a professional who can guarantee the best output the first time. In this guide, we’re going to look at the conservatory roof leak repair process.

• Spot the leak. The first line of action is to examine the conservatory’s roof to identify the leaking part (tip - most leaks takes place around transparent roof panes edges). If you have a slanted roof, you’d have to look carefully. The spot where it drips may not necessary imply that its the leaking spot.
• Remove the old seal. Climb a ladder to access the leaking pane. Then, with the help of a utility knife, lift out the panel and clean all traces of the old sealant. Once done, simply lay down a bead of the new sealant in the frame, press the clear panel back in place and apply sealant to the outer edges.
• Cracked pane. If the existing pane is cracked or broken, simply hold the pieces tightly together by applying tape across the pane in various directions
• Leak sealing. Another option to fix leaks is by applying a sealant around the leaking pane without having to remove it.

A good way to get rid of your conservatory is to sell it. Depending on its condition you may not make much money from it, but it’s an easy and financially viable way to get your old conservatory dismantled and out of the way. If you are replacing it, the installer can easily remove this for you completely.