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Choice of Conservatory Materials
Top tips
- PVCu is a good budget option
- Frame thickness determines structural strength
- Aluminium is often best choice for commercial (hard
wearing) locations
The three basic materials used for conservatories ensure
that there is something to meet every taste – and
every pocket.
 PVCu Conservatories
PVC, PVCu, uPVC, PVC-U, and PVCU all essentially refer
to the same substance. The most popular choice, this is
an excellent material which has the advantage of needing
little or no maintenance. The least expensive of all the
available materials, it is most popular in white but is
also available in mahogany and oak wood-grain styles.Problems
with discoloration are negligible and most suppliers will
provide warranties against this. The design of the windows
varies from company to company but points to look for include:
Internal or externally-glazed
windows – an option
offered by most PVCu systems. Internally-beaded windows,
where the glass is held in from the inside, are generally
deemed more secure and burglar-resistant. However, there
are also perfectly satisfactory externally-beaded PVCu
systems on the market. Many feature either internal wedge
gaskets or a double-sided tape that firmly fixes the external
bead.
Thickness of PVCu wall – most PVCu systems for window
and door construction are ‘multi-walled’ with
internal reinforcement provided by either aluminium or
galvanised steel box section. Wall thickness can vary from
system to system, most being around 3mm or 3.5mm. In general
the thicker the walling, the stronger the section. Ask
your supplier to show you a sample section and establish
whether the frames are fully reinforced. Be aware, too,
that the greater the number of internal walls, the greater
the strength of the building.
Depth or thickness of frame – the depth of frame
extrusion can vary from as low as 50mm to more than 70mm,
although most are in the 60-65mm range. This, too, has
an effect on the structural strength of the conservatory – the
thicker the frame, the stronger the conservatory section.
Note that PVCu is unacceptable to planners for use on
listed buildings, nor is it popular with planners in conservation
areas.
 Hardwood Conservatories
A more expensive material, hardwood is the choice of those
seeking a traditional design with an authentic look and
is a particular favourite for use in listed buildings or
period properties. It has the twin benefits of being suitable
for the recreation of virtually any traditional design
or feature, while incorporating the contemporary advantages
of double-glazing. Hardwood is available in a variety of
stains such as mahogany and light oak, as well as various
painted finishes and, while it does require periodic maintenance,
this is not an onerous task thanks to modern paints and
stains.As with PVCu, the frame thickness will affect the
structural strength. It is also important to ascertain
which jointing method is used – most suppliers use
a traditional mortice and tenon joint but other systems
do exist.
Aluminium Conservatories
This shares many of the features of PVCu, although aluminium
is more expensive and does not provide such efficient insulation.
However, it is an excellent choice for commercial locations
and any circumstances in which strength is an important
factor.
Many conservatories, although clad in PVCu, use aluminium
in the roof structure because of its superior strength.
Oak – Green and Seasoned Oak Conservatories
 Despite the higher cost, oak has become the most sought-after
European hardwood for conservatories. It is used in two
forms – green or seasoned. When trees are first felled,
the wood – known as green oak – is softer,
full of sap and easier to cut. Conservatories using green
oak are built from large pieces of oak held together by
beech pins. As the wood dries and shrinks, the beech pins
tighten and pull the building together. Green oak conservatories
are often recommended for use in period properties as these
tend to be single-glazed and riddled with nooks and crannies – natural
airflow is part of the appeal.
Seasoned oak, which is dried before the manufacturing
process, is recognised as the superior material for conservatories.
Huge slices of wood are racked in the open air until the
oak has weathered, shrunk and hardened, at which point
the wood is ready to be carved, if required.
Seasoned oak is used for all styles of conservatory, from
simple contemporary designs to the more traditional, complete
with intricate carvings.
The wood can be painted or stained – a popular solution
is to paint the exterior to blend with the house while
using a natural stain on the interior to accentuate the
wood grain.
See www.almostimpartialguide.co.uk/conservatories/what_style.htm for more details.
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