DIY Guide to Building A Conservatory
It’s not difficult to build a conservatory with the right tools and instructions. In fact, if you love DIY projects, you’ll find this one fun, especially with the following guide to help you.
Step 1: The Conservatory Base
You can choose either a traditional excavated base or a pre-fabricated steel base for your conservatory.
The traditional base may take the help of an expert to get it right. It’s important that the brickwork is accurate so that the conservatory can be easily and efficiently installed. Your supplier will give you the base plans to ensure that it’s built the right way. Be sure all parts of the job are complete before the builder leaves.
It’s possible to construct the traditional base on your own but it’s takes a lot of time and is very hard work. Many people decide what they’re saving by doing it themselves isn’t worth it. Even after starting the project by themselves, they’ll hire someone to finish it.
A pre-fabricated steel base is a lot easier and faster to install than building a traditional base. The steel bases are delivered to you in a kit that’s easily installed by 2 people in a couple of days. These kits provide everything you need for the look you chose when ordering. The base is simply attached to the wall of the house. The adjustable legs it sits on are put on concrete pads to make the floor level. Once finished, these DIY conservatories are indistinguishable from the traditional style and can be taken with you if you move.
Step 2: Installing the DIY Conservatory
Typically, you’ll have all the instructions you need to install your DIY conservatory, no matter what your skill level. The instructions show you such things as fixing French doors, welding cill, installing windows, the corner posts, and the roof. If you can follow directions, you can install your conservatory.
The roof has an eaves beam that sits atop the door and window frames. A roof layout plan helps you identify the components and glazing panels and where they go. Where the conservatory joins the house, you’ll need fitted lead flashing to ensure a seal that’s weatherproof.
Step 3: Completing Installation
After installing the walls and roof, the roof needs to be glazed. For polycarbonate glazing, just position the glazing and knock on the PVCu cappings to make a weather tight seal. If you’re using a glass roof, this process will take longer.
Some kits come with windows and doors already factory glazed, but most come unglazed. Shipping unglazed insures the safe delivery of the windows. There may be health and safety problems with pre-glazed windows.
Lastly, apply silicone sealant to all joints according to your installation guide. Fit the internal PVCu trims to the roof eaves beam, ridge beams and glazing bars. You’ll all set!
