Conservatory Quotes Advice

March 3, 2022

We got another interesting call last week from someone in Scotland who had found us on Google. This customer was concerned that he had had several quotes to supply and fit a 4m x 4m conservatory but the quotes went from £17,000 to over £30,000 and he wanted to get advice as to why this should be. I told him that the basic cost of the conservatory should be pretty much the same from all the suppliers, but that his installation costs for the base and erection could vary depending on the specification the builders were going to adopt.

We always build to building control guidelines, but then we have the benefit of having a full time team of builders working for us who dig the foundations, pour the concrete, lay the brickwork , plaster the walls and run the electrics etc.

We are able to keep a full time team employed because we supply and install conservatories every day of the year. Lots of double glazing companies sell the occasional conservatory so they have to find sub contractors to fit them on an ad hoc basis. This has led the industry to introduce instant DIY style bases which in simple terms are a steel frame laid on the ground supported by a few concrete slabs and then infilled by a slab of concrete.

I asked our enquirer his address and when he told me it was in a newly built marina right by the side of the water, alarm bells started to ring. This could be the reason for the considerable difference in quotes.I told him to check with the building control to check if it was built on reclaimed land. Sure enough when he came back to me he told me that it was indeed built on reclaimed unstable land and the properties had deep pilings for the foundations.I reminded him to get his eventual contractor to ensure that they put a brick lined sump with an outlet pipe under the damp proof membrane to help leech away any methane gas coming up from under the base. We do the same for Radon gas in Cornwall.

Conservatory Planning Permission Tips

March 3, 2022

Do I need Planning Permission for a Conservatory?

Some conservatory companies will insist that you don’t need planning permission, however there are instances where you will. We have compiled this list of UK conservatories planning permission tips to help you through this maze.

Under new regulations that came into effect from 1 October 2008 adding a conservatory to your house is considered to be permitted development, not needing an application for planning permission, subject to the limits and conditions listed below:

• No more than half the area of land around the ‘original house’* would be covered by additions or other buildings.
• No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.
• No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
• Maximum depth of a single-storey rear extension of three metres for an attached house and four metres for a detached house.
• Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres.
• Maximum depth of a rear extension of more than one storey of three metres including ground floor.
• Maximum eaves height of an extension within two metres of the boundary of three metres.
• Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house.
• Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width no more than half that of the original house.
• Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match existing house. No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
• On designated land* no permitted development for rear extensions of more than one storey; no cladding of the exterior; no side extensions.

Please note: the permitted development allowances described here apply to houses not flats, maisonettes or other buildings.

 

Conservatories and Building Regulations

Conservatories are normally exempt from building regulations when:

1. They are built at ground level and are less than 30 square metres in floor area
2. At least half of the new wall and three quarters of the roof is either glazed or translucent material
3. The conservatory is separated from the house by external quality door(s).
4. Glazing and any fixed electrical installations comply with the applicable building regulations requirements (see below).

Where work is proposed to a listed building, listed building consent may be required.

* The term ‘original house’ means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.

(If you are unsure or need advice on weather you will need planning permission please contact our office and we will endeveour to help you.)

If in doubt, and to prevent any delays should you wish to sell your home later on, a Certificate of Lawfulness is available from your local council. This will chart that you consulted with the council, that full planning permission was not required for your development, and documents that the development was lawful.

Contact Rodda & Hocking today to get your free architects drawings and planning permission.

Conservatory Buying Advice

March 3, 2022

Buying a conservatory is one of life’s big purchases. Here are a number of UK conservatories tips and advice to make sure installing yours goes as smoothly as possible.

Be prepared!

With the vast array of conservatory styles and designs available, the choice can be a bit bewildering.

First, you need to think about why you want a conservatory, and what the main function of this additional room will be. This will help you decide how big a conservatory you need, what furniture you will put in it and where it is going to attach to your home.

Research

Look into the available options – research the types of conservatory available and decide which would best suit your purpose and the style of your home. Discuss it with friends or an expert to ensure that it really will work with your property and be suitable for your needs. Sometimes another perspective will help point out potential problems that you hadn’t considered.

Experts

Once you understand a bit more about what you want, talk to some suppliers and fitters to find what is available to suit your needs. Find out your options for the number and placement of opening windows, and the options for your door to the garden. Gather some quotes for similar conservatories.

Getting down to the details.

Check with your supplier, as the measurements they supply are usually the EXTERNAL dimensions. Peg out the interior dimensions (if you cannot obtain these from your supplier, allow 11 inches as the average width of a cavity wall, and 5 inches for glazing) and get a feel for the space, thinking about the views you’ll have.

Another idea is to look at the dimensions of furniture which you might like to have, and work out how it might fit, making sure that there is enough space to move around without it feeling overcrowded.

Conservatory Door

Decide on where to put your door. Having it centrally located could create a corridor effect making the room less flexible in terms in furnishings. A side door is most common.

Windows

Make sure that where your open-able windows are planned, will be accessible once you have furnished your conservatory.

Once you have finalised these details it is time to get things moving.

Your Budget

Having decided on the size and style of your conservatory, it is time to think about how much you want to spend on it. It’s best to allow an extra 10% for any unforeseen problems, such as building issues, and also to help furnish it, decorate and for the internal flooring.

Examples

Before heading for the cheapest quote, try to find examples of your potential installer’s previous work, investigate their customer reviews and ask around to make sure there aren’t any terrible tales!

Planning permission

Once you have decided on the conservatory you are purchasing and where from it is time to look carefully at your plans to see if you will need planning permission. Check out our UK conservatory planning permission tips for more details.

All built!

Congratulations, you now have a fantastic conservatory. You will now need to contact your insurance company to ensure that your new room is fully covered.

Windows Glass Technology

March 3, 2022

All Rodda and hocking products are supplied and fitted as standard with the very latest in Glass technology.

Our Windows include thermal insulation that is three times more efficient than standard double glazing.

The thermal insulation provided by low-E double glazing is three times more efficient than that of standard double glazing and PLANITHERM products are the ideal low-e solution to meeting and exceeding the newly revised Building Regulations energy efficiency requirements.

The benefits of uPVC Windows

March 3, 2022

uPVC Windows have many, many benefits which are much publicised, along with a few that aren’t quite so well known.

VEKA plc is an industry leader in PVC-U design innovations and to qualify to join Network VEKA, companies must use quality VEKA products. Committed to customer satisfaction, VEKA developed the sought-after Matrix Fully Sculptured System in 2004. Soft, delicately bevelled and beautifully understated – this type of frame brings out the best in any home.

PVC-U is extremely low maintenance, requiring only a very occasional wipe with warm soapy water. It is also incredibly energy efficient. Unlike timber, your PVC-U home improvements will never need to be repainted, they will not swell and stick and they won’t rot, warp or crack.

As an industry-leading manufacturer, VEKA now supplies Network VEKA with technically advanced PVC-U window systems which offer a host of benefits, including:

Minimal maintenance – No sanding, painting and varnishing, just an occasional wipe over with warm soapy water and a spot of oil on the hinges where needed.

Stylish good looks – PVC-U Fully sculptured and bevelled upvc windows are virtually indistinguishable from the finest soft and hardwood timber frames, but entirely resistant to splitting, warping and insect attack.

Impact and weather resistance – Impact-modified PVC-U profiles can withstand the worst that the British weather can throw at them

Strength and rigidity – All VEKA windows offer exceptional strength and rigidity thanks to their innovative multi-chamber design.

Security – Security features are built into VEKA’s windows at the design stage, rather than bolted on as an afterthought.

Energy efficiency – VEKA’s was the first window system in the UK to be granted an ‘A’ on the BFRC rating system. By 2016 every new domestic property in the UK will need to have ‘A’ Rated windows, the highest level of energy efficiency.

Thermal properties – PVC-U is a poor heat conductor, making it ideal for double glazed or triple glazed window surrounds. Very little heat is lost through the frame itself.

Sound reduction – The installation of PVC-U double glazed or triple glazed windows will dramatically reduce the volume noise generated by traffic, aircraft or noisy neighbours.

Condensation – Quality PVC-U windows help to eliminate the cold bridge which can lead to condensation problems.

Longevity – Second generation PVC-U windows from VEKA will continue to look good and perform flawlessly for decades.

Fire safety – PVC is non-toxic and meets all international health and safety regulations. It is inherently difficult to ignite and stops burning as soon as the source of heat is removed.

Value adding – High quality PVC-U windows are likely to add substantial value to your home. They will improve visual appearance, security, energy efficiency and provide effective thermal and sound insulation.

Copyright for this article held by Network Veka for further information go to wwwNetworkveka.co.uk

Energy Ratings Explained

March 3, 2022

PVC-U frames – with effective double glazing or triple glazing – and high quality doors can significantly improve the energy efficiency of your home and subsequently reduce costs – both for your pocket and for the environment.

Rodda and Hocking as a Network VEKA members use top quality components, combined with efficient production methods to create windows, doors and conservatories which perform to the highest standards. Utilising the latest in glass technology and PVC-U innovations, Rodda and Hocking ltd. can provide windows which are highly recommended by the Energy Saving Trust.

VEKA, in conjunction with one of Network VEKA’s founder members, created the UK’s first BRFC ‘A’ rated window, and the first fully reinforced, double-glazed window to gain the prestigious ‘A’ rating.

The BFRC (British Fenestration Ratings Council) rating system is designed to determine a window’s thermal efficiency. It is displayed on a colour-coded traffic-light style label with a scale from ‘A’ (the most efficient) – to ‘G’. This means that you can make a quick yet informed decision when choosing new windows, taking energy conservation into account.

With carbon emissions and other environmental issues high on the global agenda, we are all looking for ways to make our homes more energy efficient.Combined factors, such as solar gain, result in the fact that the ‘A’ rated window is energy-positive, meaning it can absorb more energy into the house than it lets out.

Rodda and Hocking ltd.  have gained a BFRC A rating for our replacement windows and doors.

 

Original copyright to this article held by Network Veka for further information go to www.networkveka.co.uk