Conservatory Construction
Coming soon - the construction of a Vantage conservatory with photographs
Posted on 07 March 2008Posted in Electrics, Extensions and Conversions, Heating, Air Conditioning and Ventilation, Windows & Doors, Building Regulations and Planning Permission, Recommended Businesses, Lifestyle
Coming soon – the construction of a Vantage conservatory with photographs.
The following base build specification will be carried out by the Vantage building team with photographs -
CONSERVATORY BASE CONSTRUCTION
The construction of a typical conservatory base is very similar to that of an extension to your house.
It’s a general belief that because a conservatory is lighter than an extension the foundation does not have to be very deep. This is not necessarily the case. Firstly it is not possible to know precisely how deep the foundation will be until the ground is excavated and inspected for any ‘made up areas’ – this is where earth has been placed on existing ground.
Therefore it will be necessary to excavate a trench through this layer into load bearing ground. By doing this you will ensure that the conservatory has a good foundation base, as we expect that you do not want to wake up one morning to find your conservatory at the bottom of your garden!
The conservatory foundation trenches are usually between 650mm – 1000mm deep. This is very much dependent upon the soil type and where you live in the County. The other factors which determine the foundation depth will be tree roots, drains and services.
THE BASE
Reduction of Ground Levels
The areas where your conservatory is to be built should have any hard materials removed, i.e. patio, concrete slab, etc. and any vegetation soil removed to an approximate depth of up to 150mm.
Excavation of Foundation Trench
Dependent upon the ground conditions – the dimensions of the foundation trenches are normally 450mm wide by 650/1000mm deep – ready to receive a mass concrete foundation.
Casting of Foundations
The foundation trench can now be concreted. A mass fill is normally used as this tends to be quicker and therefore cheaper. The concrete is normally finished 150mm below ground level.
Substructure
From the foundation level build up the dpc. level in matching brickwork to the external face and common bricks or concrete blocks to the inside skin. 100mm Concrete slab reinforced with a 142 steel mesh on 50mm sand blinding, on 250 micron damp proof membrane on 150mm (min) well consolidated clean hardcore. Oversite Construction with a Suspended Floor
Should the ground where the conservatory is to be built drop away more than 600mm (2ft) a timer or concrete suspended floor may be more desirable and be more cost effective.
With a suspended floor air bricks must be built into the substructure to ensure sub-floor ventilation is achieved.
Should the conservatory design be glass to floor the base would normally be left at this stage with a dpc (damp proof course) bedded onto the external brickwork.
Dependent upon weather conditions, the brickwork and concrete are normally left to cure for approximately 5-10 days.
Dwarf Wall Option
From the dpc level the brickwork can then be raised to the required height in cavity brickwork. Normally the cavity would be insulated with either expanded polystyrene of fiberglass to ensure a high degree of insulation to the conservatory. The 2 walls are held together with wall ties.
Specialist Foundations
In some conditions specialist foundations may be required e.g. brown filled sited (these are areas where old buildings have been demolished and a new development built, or areas where there are trees or very poor ground). All of these areas can be built upon but specialist foundations may be required such as a raft or piled foundations.
The above is a Good Working Guide only, details may vary from supplier to supplier.
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