uPVC Conservatory

So you need to add some space to your home, and you’ve finally decided to get a uPVC conservatory (seriously, what took you so long?).  But maybe you haven’t decided what yet to use it for.  Maybe you have.  But let’s go over some ideas, that you may or may not have considered.

Let’s start with the extension to your living room, or perhaps an extra living room or lounge space to be with our family or entertain friends.  This is a typical idea, and a good one at that.  Depending on the weather where you live, it may be a little too bright for television watching, but is great for relaxing, napping and conversation day or night.  Didn’t your mom tell you watch less TV anyways?

Superb Sunlight In This Conservatory Design

How about the extension to your kitchen area?  Of course you may not want to put too many or any appliances here, but you might find some joy in an additional, well lit, kitchen eating area.  You might consider  installing and letting granite worktops guide you into extending your kitchen. Or possibly an additional eating area or breakfast nook.  This is a good for a smaller conservatory.

Using your conservatory as a dining room is an excellent idea, reminiscent of the days of Queen Victoria!  Eating all that gourmet food that’s been prepared (in the microwave?) on your fabulous dining room table, reveling in the sunlight pouring in, or as the sunset falls.  Ahhhh paradise.

Workaholic?  How about using that new add-on space as a home-office?  What better place to have a working space with a spacious, open-air feel – to help you be more productive while stressing less.  Pay attention to your power plugs though -  make sure you have enough electricity for your computer and office equipment.  Make sure your hanging mail organizer matches your new office setup! And don’t forget about those extra security features that can be built with conservatories to help protect your valuables (see my other article on DIY Conservatories).

Children love to play in many different spaces, and you could let them have that space, perhaps sharing it with a lounge area (good luck!).  Just another space to clean up more toys!

For those with a green thumb, we have a few options.  If you’re a foodie and gourmet cook (or want to learn) perhaps you could turn that uPVC conservatory into a vegetable and spice garden.  Or if you just enjoy plant life – you could create a miniature botanical garden or greenhouse.  Only legal plants please!

Don’t forget about your pets!  It might be a perfect places to let Fido sleep and stay protected from the elements.  You could bring his doghouse from outside to in, an feel safe knowing that he’s safe, sound and warm.

Ok, I’m out of ideas, but if you brainstorm really hard I’m sure you could come up with more on your own.  In my next post I’ll talk about maintaining your conservatory, making sure it stays comfortable, weathers the elements and keeping it clean with the right cleaners.   But what ever you choose to use your uPVC conservatory for, I’m sure you’ll be enjoying it to your heart’s content…if not, I’ll come over to nap and use it for you, no problem!

So you’ve decided to take on the task of designing and building your own uPVC conservatory.  You’d like to DIY and want cut your costs – well, good for you.  But hold on not so fast!  You’re going to need some solid advice before you go off an order your brand-new conservatory online.  Yes you’ll be the construction manager, and probably the construction worker too, so you’ll need all the help you can get to make the right choice.

Wanna see how the pros do it?  Check out this video of an installation crew in installing different parts of a conservatory…

Vendors

First get in touch with online sellers that appeal to you.  There are hordes of them out there, so give a look across the board.  Once you’ve selected a few, give them a call and ask to be sent a brochure with the various styles (covered in other articles on here) and options.  Get a feel for the website and brochure to see if the online vendor is one of quality.  Make sure the guide or brochure reads clearly with all the options, colors, measurements, etc.  It’s all too easy to go online and start clicking drop boxes – make sure you get the brochures and information guides to make sure you can compare and contrast easily.  Also if they provide self-installation and self-help guides that’s even better.  That means they know how to deal with Do-It-Yourself artists like you – you’re on the right track. For uPVC double glazed windows you may want to do it yourself or it might be smart to do a search for “hire double glazing installer“to find an installer that’s right for you.  If you’re worried about breaking the bank and need a little extra warmth in the winter or coolness in the summer, you can look into some space heaters or cheap air conditioning until you make that extra money.

Construction Permits

It’s very important to check with your local housing or development board in regards to doing construction to your home.  Make sure you call or pop down to the city or town office to find if you need to apply for any permits before beginning any kind of work.  Definitely do this before buying anything.

Roof Choice

While the frames for uPVC conservatories are uPVC, the roofs are typically aluminum.  A gutter system will be included.  The roof-glazing will be either glass or polycarbonate.  For glass roofs,  options like anti-sun and self-cleaning will cost extra, but they may well be worth it for the money.

Designs

Some vendors will offer a bespoke service for more advanced designs. Some of the designs they’ll offer include ‘P’ shape, Gable front, Hip back, and glass box – be sure to get the specifics of all the designs from the vendor of all the designs.  These cross over with the typical styles related to the Edwardian, Lean-To, and Victorian styles – I know it’s confusing, but the names aren’t as important for aesthetics as it is to follow your eye.

Colors

As far as colors go for the uPVC conservatory, the typical hues are: white (standard), cream, green, blue, oak,  mahogany, double sided or white on the inside.  All of these can be treated to have a wood-grain finish no matter what the color.

Security

uPVC conservatories now include many security features including: multi-point lock door systems; anti-bump locks; anti-jimmy devices for patio doors; door restrictors,  shoot bolt key locking windows and internal beads on the frames, allowing glass replacement only on the inside.  Again more options to choose from.  You also might want to add a special doorbell for the outdoor door to your conservatory so you can let guests arrive from there and not be surprised by them.

In Final

So that’s enough to make you dangerous in getting started with researching your own DIY-conservatory.  Remember to enlist family and friends to help you once you begin the construction process – you can’t do it alone!  Best of luck on your hunt and selection of your uPVC conservatory.

What does the uPVC Conservatory have to do with the current economic crisis? Since the beginning of the global economic crisis in 2008 – people are cutting back on spending, and finding new ways to save money. That includes not only buying less consumer goods, but also holding back on trading up their current home to a bigger and better home. Maybe a new addition has come into the family and more room is necessary to fit the growing family. But with the way economics are today, staying put may be the safest alternative available. So what should someone do who needs to upgrade their living space, but can’t afford to take the risk of moving to a big house, with bigger payments and responsibilities?

As a solution, many are choosing to expand their homes with a uPVC conservatory. It is an inexpensive way to add-on to their homes to gain that extra space that they need at an affordable price. UPVC conservatories are made with all uPVC plastic frames, which makes them very easy to maintain, virtually nothing is required for maintenance – no painting, no treating, and minimal cleaning. The use of double-glazed windows prevents heat loss in the winter, and keeps the air conditioned space cool in the summer. Great insulation is a key factor in why many families are choosing to go with uPVC conservatories (over the traditional, wood-built conservatories).

So while many people are stressing out over what to do in order to increase their living spaces, others have latched onto the idea. Not only is it a money-saving way to increase your space, but it’s also a way to add value to your home, for very little cost. More living space means more resale value, when a family decides to move to a bigger home. Wildly popular in the UK, people feeling the weight of their economic burdens are opting to expand with uPVC conservatories more and more (more commonly known as a “sunroom” or “solarium” in the US).

Homeowners are not only using uPVC conservatories for expansion, but also as a gardening space, which can be used year round to grown their own fruits, vegetables and spices. You might even consider putting a portable greenhouse just outside of your conservatory if you don’t want to garden there – you can be endlessly creative. The creative uses are numerous when choosing to add a uPVC conservatory to your home.