Conservatory construction

Planning and building a conservatory

The keys to a successful conservatory are good planning, design and construction carried out by Thermaframe's experts.

Thermaframe conservatories are carefully designed for your specific needs and we use only high-quality materials and components that will ensure your conservatory is always comfortable and looks as good as the day it was finished for decades to come.

A conservatory is recognised as the most cost-effective way to add an extra room to your home and it is important not to compromise on this major investment. Cost-cutting can lead to problems; for instance condensation build-up, damp penetration, a conservatory that becomes unbearably hot in summer or one that looks terrible after a couple of years.

We use experienced conservatory builders who work quickly and efficiently minimising the amount of disruption to your home while the base is built. Our experienced fitters will then fit the frame and roof and glaze the conservatory. Thermaframe also arranges for all the electricity, plumbing and even flooring to be done and can also landscape your outside space to compliment your new conservatory. We can even arrange for a team of professional interior design and decorators to add that final touch to complete your conservatory.

One of our conservatories being built

Do You Need Planning Permission?

Most conservatories may be built as permitted development providing they meet the criteria of size in relation to plot size. Thermaframe can advise you on this. Some larger conservatory constructions require planning permission from the local authority. Thermaframes experienced staff will organise this for you and any building regulations required will be applied for on your behalf. It is wise when planning a conservatory to ensure your property has a legal document confirming your legal right to build one. Without proper permission, you may face difficulty when you come to sell your home.

Thermaframe conservatories will take the worry of applying for planning consent from you. We will apply on your behalf to your local council. The application may fall under the Town & Country Planning Act 1990, or we may apply for a Certificate of Lawful Proposed Development where this would be more appropriate and / or likely to succeed than a full planning application. This process typically takes each Local Council about 8 weeks from application to planning permission.

Our experts will ensure that the application to the council is correctly made, avoiding the possible delays that can be caused if the information provided is insufficient or incorrect.

Electrics

Electrics

Most conservatories need an electrical supply. This can generally be taken from the house with little or minimal disruption to the existing feed in the main dwelling. All installations are Part-P (Electrical Safety) compliant as required by building regulations. We can advise you about your requirements based on the size of your conservatory.

Things you may need to consider are:

  • Internal double plug sockets (varied finishes such as chrome, brass or white).
  • External plug sockets for garden use (i.e. lawnmower, strimmer).
  • Internal lighting points.
  • External light features (i.e. patio lights, security lights).
  • Telephone extensions.
  • Ceiling fans.
Lighting

Lighting

Conservatory lighting is generally subtle, creating a relaxing mood that can be achieved in a variety of different ways depending on your conservatory ceiling design and height. From a free standing lamp shade powered from a standard plug socket, a light built-in to a ceiling fan or pendant or even built in wall lights or spotlights built into the conservatory ridge as a decorative feature.

The Thermaframe showroom at Badgers Mount, Kent has various lighting options on display to help you decide about these finishing touches. Everything from a French pendant chandelier in the T-shape conservatory, to wall up-lighters in the Lean-to.

All the wiring for your lighting system is concealed behind the final plastered walls leaving just the wires showing for the desired fixtures and fittings of your choice. As we have no idea what style of lights you require the only additional items we ask you to purchase are your light fittings, which we will make provision to fit for you.

  • Climate Control

    It is important to consider the climate control for your new conservatory so that you can use it all year round regardless of the temperature outside. There are several options available.
  • Air Conditioning Unit

    Air Conditioning

    The ultimate in conservatory climate control is Air-Conditioning. Regardless of the outside weather, -5 degrees in the middle of winter or 35 degrees in the middle of summer your air-conditioning unit will control the temperature of your conservatory. The beauty of these units is that they both heat and cool all year round, needing no other additional heating (radiators, wall heaters etc.) or cooling units.

  • Ceiling Fan

    Ceiling Fans

    Fantasia Ceiling Fans are the green way to move air and can use 60% less power consumption than a standard fan. They have large quiet, wobble-free motors and a steep blade pitch to maximize the circulation of air. The winter setting re-circulates warm air trapped at ceiling level, eliminating cold spots and draughts and distributing room heat without creating a cooling draft.

    You can choose from a range of 20 models in 18 finishes and 8 sizes, from classic plantation designs to modern contemporary chrome fans. These are complimented by a comprehensive range of accessories such as light kits, wall lights, remote controls and wall controls. Fantasia fans have a 10 year warranty. Visit our showroom to see a working Fantasia fan in our Georgian conservatory.

    << Air Conditioning
  • Radiator

    Heaters

    Heating in your new build conservatory is essential, especially through the winter months. There are a variety of different solutions to provide heat in your conservatory.

    Electric Wall Heaters

    This form of climate control is available in many styles and colours. They turn off and on according to the needs of the room.

    Radiators

    You can transfer an additional radiator from your existing house system (providing your current boiler is has the capacity for an additional radiator). This can be affective as the heat will change accordingly to how you set the heating for your whole house.

    << Ceiling Fans
  • Conservatory Underfloor heating

    Underfloor Heat

    Underfloor heating delivers an ideal temperature between floor and ceiling due to a balanced combination of radiant and convected heat. Under-floor heating ensures you feel comfortable even at a lower air temperature than that produced by a more conventional heating system.

    With conventional central heating like radiators the majority of heat rises, making the ceiling one of the warmest places in the room. However, most of the warmth generated by under floor heating is radiant heat, where the floor releases heat evenly, which is then absorbed by people and objects in the room. This results in your feet being warm and your head feeling cool and provides the perfect environment to relax in.

    Thermaframe has several conservatories with underfloor heating systems in our extensive Kent showroom. We can advise what would be the best form of climate control for you.

    << Heaters
Landscaping

Landscaping

Thermaframe offer landscaping services when installing a conservatory, orangery or garden room. We use a highly experienced team of landscapers who also work for discerning customers of the Polhill Garden Centre, Kent. They are experienced in design of the hard landscaping areas such as patios, pathways, decks etc and also in planting designs.

There is a wide range of stones and pavers available to choose from and finishing touches such as pebbles and cobbles. You can also add exterior lighting to offset your beautiful garden at night to compliment your new conservatory.

To see an example of our landscapers work, please visit our extensive showroom site at the Polhill Garden Centre, J4 M25

Buy From the Experts

Thermaframe have many years of experience transforming homes with quality double glazed conservatories covering areas from Sevenoaks, Orpington & Bromley.

Environmentally friendly

Our PVCu conservatories are recyclable and are 100% Lead and Calcium Zinc free. Due to the intelligent profile design we use 50% less steel reinforcement than is used by other conservatory manufacturers.