Conservatories
for Difficult Sites
On this
page I will give you a few tips, and suggestions,
for overcoming the most frequent design
difficulties. This is not a comprehensive list of
solutions. If you have a particularly difficult
site and some questions that are not answered
here you may like to use our "Your
Questions" page, I will try my
best to answer any particular queries there.
Here are a few suggestions for people with
limited height restrictions, this is usually
bungalow owners (but not always).
A low eaves height doesn't mean that you
cannot have a conservatory!
Using a "Fascia Fix" design option
means that almost all lean-to models can be
converted to fit a bungalow or similar low eaves
situation at a modest cost. Please
see photograph on this page for a clearer
view.
PLEASE NOTE:
I always recommend that you replace your existing
fascia or soffit in PVCu at the same time as
fitting the conservatory. Additionally it is
important to check that roofing felt under the
tiles is in good condition and replaced if
necessary. If this is not done then you may
experience leaks through your soffit once your
conservatory is in place.
OTHER POINTS
As using a fascia fix option almost always means
you have a problem with your maximum ridge height
then obviously there will be a problem with eaves
height, especially the larger the projection (the
eaves height is the height you have available at
the front where the gutter is). For this reason I
do not recommend a projection exceeding 2800mm on
fascia fix, although if there is no particular
height restriction then there are roofing bars
that can project as much as 4000mm without any
mid supports. If the eaves height is lower than
might be liked it is often a good idea to fit
doors on the side where there will be more room
rather than on the front of the conservatory.
If you wish for something other than a lean-to
and have a low eaves height then there are two
main options.
No 1 Create a Gable
This option involves building a gable onto
your existing roof and then having your
conservatory come off the new gable - which is
now at a height which accepts normally pitched
roofs. The photographs on this page give you a
guide to how this is done. However if you would
like a more comprehensive explanation please
click here.
No 2 Create a Box Gutter
If the first method is not preferred or practical
then the second method, which is to use a box
gutter system will almost certainly work. Box
gutters are most frequently constructed in box
section aluminium or alternatively in hardwood.
The principle of a box gutter is to have a
structure which is strong enough to support a
roof rafter attached to it whilst at the same
time also being strong enough to fix off
securely to either a fascia or existing house
wall. Sometimes it is also necessary to support
the box gutter from underneath. This can be done
by a brick pier or alternatively by a specially
constructed bracket. I have included on this page
a photograph of a bracket support for a box
gutter. If you would like to see more views
of a conservatory using a box gutter you may also
like to visit my "Conservatory
Project" page.
PVCu Victorian
Style Conservatory fitted onto bungalow by means
of a Box Gutter.
Our thanks to Ultraframe PLC
for the use of this photograph.
Click here for details of Special Seasonal offers on Conservatories and Sunrooms
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| Lean-to Style conservatory
fitted to a Fascia |
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| Close up of Fascia Fix
detail |
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| Close up view of
conservatory fitting against gable |
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| Internal view of box gutter
on a PVCu conservatory |
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| Bracket support for a box
gutter |
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| The
completed conservatory - fixed against the
recently built new gable |
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| External
view of box gutter on a PVCu conservatory |
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