Buying a new conservatory is a major purchase and one that should not be taken lightly. Shopping around to make sure you get the right conservatory for you is vital. Here are some tips on things to look out for when you are buying a new conservatory.
Start at the top. The roof is a very important integral part of your conservatory and should be treated as this and not as a separate component. Try to find a company that manufactures the complete conservatory. Some companies will outsource the production of the roof and the windows system to separate companies and then try to marry to two together. This is obviously not ideal and it is advantageous if the whole conservatory is made in the same factory in order for the roof to match the windows perfectly. For example different companies may use different styles of edging. The company who builds the windows may use a different style compared to the company who makes the roof.
Different companies use different materials this can lead to variations in the colour of different parts of your conservatory and you can end up with the roof one colour and the windows another. However if all your conservatory is made in one factory the roof and the windows will match and you will have exactly the same colour from the sill to the finial.
Another important aspect of the design to look out for when buying a new conservatory is how the conservatory is joined to a house. Traditionally lead flashing is cemented to the side if the house and is laid on to the roof of the conservatory. However over time this creates strain on the conservatory roof where the rain water runs of the lead and on to the conservatory roof. The solution to this is to use a soak tray which the lead is tucked into. This not only protects the conservatory from risk of leakage but also looks more visually pleasing as it give a perfectly straight lead trim line.
It is also important to consider security when having a conservatory fitted. When glass is fitted into window frames it can either be fitted from inside of outside. However for security reasons it is advised that internally glazed windows are used so that the bead holding the glass in place is on the inside. This is because the only way to remove the glass from an internally glazed window is from the inside. Whereas externally glazed windows have the beading on the outside which can be removed by a would be thief and the glass is simply lifted out.
Most importantly take your time and don't be forced into buying a conservatory by a pushy sales person. Make sure you ask lots of questions. Do your research on the internet find out all there is to know about conservatories. Ask family and friends for their experiences. And make sure that you get several quotes to ensure you get the best value for money.
Things to Look Out For When Buying a New Conservatory