September 2, 2022
Conservatories are popular methods of extending properties, opening up space and creating a beautiful point of connection between the house and the garden. However, it’s important to get the foundations just right to ensure your conservatory will be reliable, secure and thermally efficient. Different groundwork often makes different bases ideal, but an innovative steel/concrete hybrid typically provides the best balance between strength, affordability and construction time.
There are multiple options for constructing a conservatory base, and whilst they may not be aesthetically dissimilar, it’s vital that you make the right choice for your project. Your foundations represent the roots of the construction, and an unsuitable base can cost you dearly in the long run.
Basework will make up the vast majority of construction and affect the groundwork of the whole property, depending on the material. You can’t have a grand, extensive conservatory without a base capable of holding it up for decades to come. Some bases require flat, level ground, whereas others can adapt to sloping terrain. Read on to learn more about the different types of bases available.
Concrete Base
Concrete is one of the most reliable building materials you’ll find. Once it has set, it can withstand immense amounts of weight and physical pressure, and is usually very easy to prepare and lay. In addition, it’s a very suitable material for under-floor heating and will help keep your conservatory warmer all year round.
However, it has some significant drawbacks, firstly being the time it takes for the concrete to set. This depends on several factors, such as temperature or weather conditions.Furthermore, the excessive excavation required to give depth to the concrete base makes the construction even longer and will require a bigger team. This means more mess and also higher construction costs.
Wooden Base
A wooden conservatory base uses multiple lengths of thick timber to support the structure. Once in place, bolts are applied to strengthen the set-up and attach it to the conservatory as it is built on top. Wooden bases are cheap, and experienced hands can apply them in a manner that mitigates sloping. Unfortunately, the timber is vulnerable to wood rot and wear over the years.
Steel Base
Steel beams can be welded together intricately to provide a solid foundation for your conservatory. They can be applied quickly and with minimal waste, as most installers can produce made-to-measure bases to be easily installed onsite. They are affordable and accessible, making them an increasingly popular option.
The one problem? Steel bases alone don’t suit every groundwork situation. They aren’t always ideal for sloping terrain, and certain layouts are incompatible with the space available at the property.
Raised Conservatory Base
Widely considered to be the ideal option for building on sloped ground, a raised conservatory base places most of the structure’s weight on the walls themselves. This requires a complex, innovative design which can result in a vulnerable base if any errors are made during construction. In addition, it also requires a considerable amount of time to construct due to its precise nature.
Steel Frame with Concrete Pads
This represents the best style of conservatory base construction available. By constructing a modular steel base extension attached to strategically placed concrete pads prepared on the ground, you can have an affordable, durable conservatory base with a fast turnaround and a long lifespan. These bases can be installed without the use of an expensive, mess-making digger or forklift, and will cause as little interference for the homeowner as possible.
These style bases are easy for an installer to build on. With a reduced need for excavation and sloping concerns mitigated, the foundations allow you to focus on the more creative details of your new conservatory. Furthermore, despite how it may sound from the intricate design, these bases are remarkably easy to put together and install.
For these reasons, we at Durabase implant our expertise on the manufacturing of steel frames with concrete pads. We deliver it in kit form and it can be installed in one day, giving your new conservatory project a fast, reliable turnaround. Our model is cleaner and more affordable than traditional building techniques, and doesn’t require anything more than basic DIY knowledge to set up!
Conservatory Base Prices
Want to find out more about how a Durabase conservatory base can help you? If you’re looking to get more information, get in touch and we’d be happy to answer your questions. You can reach us on 01432 266507, or if you’d prefer, we have an online contact form for you to message us directly.