Choosing a UPVC Conservatory or a Lean To Conservatory

Adding a UPVC Conservatory, Lean To Conservatory or in fact any form of extension to your home means gaining valuable space to your living areas. An extra lounge area to entertain guests with the illusion of being in the garden without worrying about the British weather would be a bonus. Or perhaps your teenage children monopolise the TV during the evenings and you would rather have a peaceful place to read. Whatever your need there is an ideal solution out there for you – its just a matter of making up your mind on size, style and design.

Durable:

The main advantage of a UPVC conservatory is that it is made of a very durable plastic, which means that it will last longer than one made from wood. The well known term PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, first introduced in 1935. The prefixed 'U' represents 'unplasticised', which means that it doesn’t contain softening agents, known as ‘plasticisers’.

Value for money:

When conservatory manufacturers cottoned on to the usage of UVPC they succeeded in creating value for money UPVC conservatories, which finally brought conservatories within reach of the masses. Considerably cheaper option than one made of wood or another material.

Security:

From the point of view of security, UPVC conservatories are far superior. Most of them are fitted with advanced locking systems that provide an extra level of security.

Wooden framed conservatories can rot relatively quickly, which makes them prone to break-ins.

Environmentally friendly:

Another reason for the surging popularity of the UPVC conservatory is that it is environmentally friendly. They are made of non-toxic materials that can be fully recycled. They also score an extra mark for their energy saving characteristics. Their special insulation supports the building’s heating mechanism and reduces electricity usage.

Aesthetics:

Although wooden structures and furniture have been very fashionable of late, there has also been a surge in popularity for the minimalist modern look, where only white will do. If you have white paint work on the exterior of your property (walls and windows) the white upvc conservatory will continue the clean lines of the style perfectly.

Easy to clean:

Rain water, birds and other factors will all take their toll on your conservatory – with a UPVC one you know that it will wipe clean really easily. Rain will not cause watermarks on the structure as it might do with a wooden version.

low-maintenance:

A UPVC conservatory is not going to require re vanishing every year to protect the surface from the elements. The surface of a wooden conservatory can fade or chip with constant exposure to sunlight and weather changes.

So are you convinced yet? Once you have decided that you are going to go for the UPVC choice – the next exciting decision is to choose your style.

UPVC conservatories are available in different styles, ranging from timeless classics to today’s contemporary versions. Some of the popular styles are:

• UPVC Victorian Conservatory: Recreate the elegance of the Victorian era with UPVC Victorian Conservatories. These conservatories are ideal for illuminating your living space with natural light. If you have limited space, it is best to opt for a compact conservatory.Alternately, you can build a lavish outdoor room, radiating the style of the 19^th century country-house orangeries.
  
• UPVC Edwardian Conservatory: For an evergreen classic style, upgrade your home with an Edwardian-style UPVC conservatory. Its glaring square-fronted projections recreate the brilliance of Edwardian architecture.
• UPVC Lean-to Conservatory: Maximise your living space with an elegant UPVCextension. These can be designed according to your requirements and you can pair it up with an Everlite translucent roofing system for a contemporary appeal. To further beautify your exteriors, you can select a simple chamfered or extra decorative sculpted beading. A lean to conservatory is designed to run along the house wall, the ends can be finished vertically or with hips (slopes) at either end.

These traditional-styled UPVC conservatories are mostly seen in white. If you want something different, then go for rosewood and golden oak. For a classic look, you can also customise your UPVC conservatory as per your requirements. 

Just in case you wanted the science bit, I thought I would add this section on the manufacturing of the UPVC components of conservatories – otherwise known as UPVC profiles.

A UPVC profile can range from a simple vertical blind to a complex lineal window structure. To manufacture high quality UPVC profiles, the vital part of the process is to deliver the melted polymer to the die plate absolutely precisely. The final dimension of the UPVC profile is also determined by the extent to which the extradite swells during the process. It can also be affected by the composition of PVC compound, melt viscosity and temperature. For accurate dimensions, the die designers use technically advanced electron discharge machining (EDM machines). To further avoid shrinkage during the cooling process, uneven wall thickness and non-uniform cooling of internal and external portions, post extrusion sizing dies are also deployed.