These three photographs show Mr and Mrs Palmer's garden before we made a start.







CONSERVATORY BASE CONSTRUCTION 

The construction of a typical conservatory base is very similar to that of an extension to your house.  It’s a general belief that because a conservatory is lighter than an extension the foundation does not have to be very deep.   This is not necessarily the case. 

Firstly, it's not possible to know precisely how deep the foundation will be until the ground is excavated and inspected for any ‘made up areas’ – this is where earth has been placed on existing ground. 

Therefore, it will be necessary to excavate a trench through this layer into load bearing ground.   By doing this you will ensure that the conservatory has a good foundation base, as we expect that you do not want to wake up one morning to find your conservatory at the bottom of your garden! 

The conservatory foundation trenches are usually between 650mm – 1,000mm deep.   This is very much dependent upon the soil type and where you live in the County. 

The other factors which determine the foundation depth will be tree roots, drains and services.

THE BASE 

Reduction of Ground Levels 

The areas where your conservatory is to be built should have any hard materials removed, ie  patio, concrete slabs, etc. and any vegetation soil removed to an approximately depth of up to 150mm. 

Excavation of Foundation Trench 

Dependent upon the ground conditions – the dimensions of the foundation trenches are normally 450mm wide by 650/1,000 deep – ready to receive a mass concrete foundation. 

Casting of Foundations 

The foundation trench can now be concreted.   A mass fill is normally used as this tends to be quicker and therefore cheaper.   The concrete is normally finished 150mm below ground level.

 

Substructure 

From the foundation level build up to the dpc level in matching brickwork to the external face and common bricks or concrete blocks to the inside skin. 

100mm concrete slab reinforced with a 142 steel mesh on 50mm sand blinding, on 250 micron damp proof membrane on 150mm (min) well consolidated clean hardcore. 

THE BASE 

Dwarf Wall Option 

From the dpc level the brickwork can then be raised to the required height in cavity brickwork.   The 2 walls are held together with wall ties.

Normally the cavity would be insulated with either expanded polystyrene or fibreglass to ensure a high degree of insulation to the conservatory. 

Dependent upon weather conditions, the brickwork and concrete are normally left to cure for approximately 5-10 days.

FIRST FIX ELECTRICS 

Mr and Mrs Palmer have chosen a dwarf wall with inner block-work rather than brick inner which will be plastered at a later stage.

BRICKWORK CUT-OUT & FIT A SINGLE FULLY GLAZED DOOR 

Mr and Mrs Palmer’s conservatory chose a Rosewood on White Conservatory.   Asyou may have noticed on the previous photographs, their original windows on the rear elevation were in Rosewood which wouldn't have matched the internal white frames of their conservatory.    We had, therefore, to supply and fit a white replacement window and a set of patio in-line sliders.   Their request was also for access to their conservatory from their kitchen.   This necessitated in the requirement for the brickwork cut.-out  Bob and Billy carried out the brickwork cut-out, plastered and made good and, as you can see, we fitted a single fully glazed door to replace the small window and brickwork we had taken out.

TOP GOES ON 

The frames go up fairly quickly!!

 

The glazing and roof sheets are now being fitted – It is strongly advisable not to climb on the roof of any conservatory – Bob our fitter has the experience to know exactly where to put his weight, etc.   Please do not try this at home!!   

Really taking shape now ……

Almost done …..

SECOND FIX ELECTRICS

 



Second fix comprises all the electrical work required after the plastering to a finished house.   However, in the case of a conservatory, after the top, roof sheets have been fitted.  The electrical fixtures are connected to the cables.  Second fix work requires a neater finish than first fix.

COMPLETED CONSERVATORY

It was then given a complete clean and here is the finished conservatory.

Here’s what Mr and Mrs Palmer had to say: 

“To Rodney, Christine and the “Vantage Team” 

We would like to say a very big thankyou for all your efforts and hardwork in creating our wonderful new conservatory. 

Many thanks”