MODERN LIVING SPACES
By Essex Conservatories
From start to finish our team can provide quality advice, allowing the process to remain simple. Here's some information to consider when planning for your orangery or conservatory, if your still deciding what works best for you visit us in the showroom, contact us for more information or take a look through our previous Case Studies.
Essentials Information
Orangeries | Conservatories | Garden Rooms | Warm Roof Systems
Planning
Building Regulations
Currently a conservatory is exempt for the purposes of building control being classified as a ‘temporary structure’ subject to meeting the criteria listed below. This has created a grey area within the industry allowing companies to determine their own standards and construction methods with no accountability for the work carried out unless the customer has a good knowledge of building practices. Our policy is to adopt a ‘belt & braces’ approach virtually adopting the building code as our bench mark even though it is not required ensuring best practice at all times
We would suggest a visit to the government website the Planning Portal which is excellent for simple guidance but find some rules below:
For the majority of properties the rules under permitted development rights (PDR) apply. These were revised on 1st October 2008 in order to simplify the process.
However some home owners will be subject to restrictions within Green Belt, conservation areas, property listings (Grade II), new developments where covenants have been registered, and therefore PDR withdrawn.
The rules are based on the ‘original’ dwelling which is deemed to be as it was first built or as it stood on 1st July 1948. Development to the front of a property (facing a highway) will always require planning permission
HOME IMPROVEMENT IDEAS IN ESSEX
Where it is required we would normally take care of the whole process as part of the order including drawings & fees so apart from typically a 10 week delay no effort is needed on your part.
Naturally we will advise during the design stage what the most appropriate solution is given that planning is a factor to give the project the best chance of approval.
Our experience is that low rise buildings (under 4m in height) positioned at the rear of a property are generally approved without any issues arising and overall the number of applications approved across all local authorities is in the range of 80%+ so this should not be seen as a major hurdle to be overcome.
HIGH QUALITY ACCREDITED HOME IMPROVEMENT PRODUCTS
Bi-folding doors can complement any building giving a glass wall effect which provides panoramic views and brings the warmth and light of the outside in. Ideally suited as a room divider, patio screen or contemporary feature wall, bi-folding doors create a stylish and architecturally pleasing façade without harming the character of the building.
Glass
Bi-Folds
Foundations
PLANITHERM 4S has been developed especially for conservatory glazing applications. Offering excellent solar control properties, reduced glare and enhanced thermal insulation. SGG PLANITHERM 4S provides true year round comfort when used throughout the conservatory.
It is very important to us that we provide our customers with sound advice on the most appropriate construction method to reflect site conditions, based on our extensive local knowledge, past experience, and what a building inspector may consider ‘best practice’ although companies are under no obligation to do so where a conservatory is deemed to be exempt from building regulations particularly as this may increase costs and effect the competitiveness of their quote significantly.
Key Features
Provides a comfortable all year round environment, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer
COOL-LITE ST
Reflects more than 60% of heat from the sun
Keeps your conservatory cooler and more comfortable in hot summer months
Reduces uncomfortable glare
BIOCLEAN
Windows stay cleaner for longer
Stubborn marks are easier to clean, even without detergents
Save money on window cleaning
We offer bi-fold doors in both aluminium and PVCu (which is significantly less in cost) however we would advocate aluminium as a preference as the systems derive from the commercial sector and have evolved over many, many decades being engineered to meet very rigorous industry standards with proven reliability & durability. PVCu bi-fold doors have appeared more recently, specifically for residential applications and to meet the demand to match existing PVCu installations.
Door Configuration - You Choose
The doors can be split in many ways to suit individual circumstances with or without a single priority door, for ease of access and split either left of right in multiple subject to how you want the doors prioritized
Standard Construction Method
Excavate trench up to 2m deep (min 1m)
Bridge pipes & fill with concrete
Lay oversite brickwork to DPC
Lay hardcore min. 100mm
Lay blinding screed of sand
Lay damp proof membrane over up to 100mm insulation
Lay min. 100mm concrete to take 50mm cement floor screed
Cavity wall construction with up to 100mm of insulation
ROOF REPLACEMENTS ESSEX
Roof Options
The choice of glazing system for the roof, windows, & doors defines the quality and performance of any building over the long term so investing in the highest specification your budget allows is critical.
Our aim when quoting a price is to offer all our customers in the 1st instance the opportunity to buy the ‘ultimate’ proven technical specification our industry can currently achieve. If this does not match with the budget available we work with each customer to offer alternative products to guarantee a competitive solution without loss of performance as we recognise sometimes compromise is necessary.
Our default glazed roofing system is recognised as a benchmark in the UK residential market having been developed in the early days of our industry, and has been evolving ever since.
All products are independently performance tested and approved by the recognised quality standard schemes awarded with the corresponding mark
Security glazing & secure by design locking systems Frames available in an extensive range of colours & finishes plus a colour matching service based on the RAL system
All products have the highest energy ratings available to exceed current minimum requirements
28/24mm sealed units with ‘warm’ spacer technology
Argon gas filled units
CONSERVATORY & ORANGERIES ESSEX
Heating Options
Getting this right is essential if the new addition to the home is to fulfil its full potential all year round but it is often viewed as a necessary after thought. Although we can offer some very sophisticated climate control systems if required most customers are served well by the four solutions detailed below.
Convector Radiators
A practical cost effective answer is to extend the existing radiator circuit subject to the boiler capacity and efficiency of the existing pumps which can provide an adequate background heat to a building of mainly brick construction.
Underfloor Heating
This takes you to the next level of comfort and control as the entire floor area effectively becomes a radiator. Surprisingly it does not demand a huge premium in cost when compared with the two alternatives above but does introduce a level of luxury to the new space.
Air Conditioning System
There are a range of solutions at different costs but the ultimate is a remote unit that can be installed up to 5m away from the building and ducted underground to the internal control panel which provides a total climate control solution whether for heating or cooling that is whisper quiet when operating..