Conservatory Materials

Just as important as the location, design and building considerations of your conservatory is the matter of the materials to be used building it. First and foremost, you will need to ensure your conservatory is built with toughened/safety glass that is not only much safer for you and your family, but also to comply with building regulations. All conservatories now need to be constructed with toughened glass as standard. In addition to this, the materials used on your conservatory will affect both the look of your conservatory and the function/quality of it. There are three main materials used to create conservatories and these are PVCu, hardwood and aluminium.

PVCu us a great insulator so an ideal choice for people who have a north facing conservatory, as these will get quite cold during the winter months. This is also a low maintenance option so the low cost of this type of material makes it a highly viable economical choice. PVCu is quickly becoming a popular material for conservatories as it has a balance between long lasting quality, low maintenance requirements and keeps your conservatory warm during the harsh British winters. We would typically associate PVCu with plain white plastic and a modern sterile feeling but if you are after something a little more atmospheric or a design that more closely matches your home externally and internally, you can obtain PVCu in cherry oak or mahogany wood grain style. Unfortunately it still does not offer the same traditional look that a hardwood conservatory has to offer for traditional homes but it does compliment a modern home very well.

Hardwood is the traditional option for your conservatory that many people equate to quality and luxury and it has the added bonus of adding atmosphere to your home and conservatory. This material is more authentic and suits many styles more adequately rather then the plastic look of PVCu. Hardwood however, does require some maintenance to upkeep although this can be minimized with high quality paints and wood stains to protect your conservatory. Hardwood conservatory designs are available in a variety of different colours and finishes so you can ensure your conservatory comes properly protected and in the colour of your choice.

Aluminium is a similar material to PVCu in the way it is used, like PVCu it is not a traditional material style but unlike PVCu is a little more expensive thanks to the difficulty and rarity of obtaining aluminium these days. Aluminium is more often used in commercial conservatories that need more durability and strength than a domestic conservatory would require.

It is also important to take into consideration the look and style of your home. A PVCu conservatory may be economical but it will stick out like a sore thumb on a traditional cottage home where a hardwood conservatory would compliment it. Likewise a hardwood conservatory would be ideal as a high quality and beautifully designed conservatory but it would be lost on a modern PVCu home. Don’t forget to investigate which materials go best with which styles of conservatory too to ensure the material you choose is right for the conservatory you need.