FAQ's
Q.Why do you use hardwood? Does it need any maintenance?
A.Only with hardwood can you obtain the required amount of detail
finish that distinguishes our designs. We use an African hardwood
called Idigbo that is naturally resistant to rot and fungal attack.
Natural oils present also resist water penetration and contribute to
longevity of the timber. All timber used comes from managed renewable
plantations.
After planing and jointing the assembled timber goes through an
automated painting and drying process, which includes base coats and
top coats providing a factory finished product. This means that there
is no requirement for on-site painting other than some touching up.
Depending on where you live and how exposed your conservatory is will
determine how often it should be repainted; as a general rule though we
would recommend about every three to five years using a micro-porous
paint.
Q. I have an unusual property that will not lend itself to standard designs.
A. David Salisbury's success has been largely achieved by designing and building bespoke conservatories and orangeries.
See the portfolio of pictures on our gallery section then contact us if you have any further questions.
Q. The only suitable place for a conservatory on my property is
north facing so it will get very little Sun. How can I overcome this
problem?
A.More people complain about how hot their conservatory gets rather
than the reverse, so a north facing elevation is often the best
position for a conservatory. South facing conservatories usually need
blinds; it could be worth considering air conditioning and the latest
solar control glass. Visit the specialist glass manufacturers www.glaverbel.com or www.pilkington.com for more information.
Q. I have read that when having a conservatory built, cavity trays
should always be installed to prevent water coming in above existing
doors and windows. What do you think?
A. Cavity trays are best installed as part of a new build. They are not
easy to fit retrospectively and are usually only required in exposed
conditions subject to driving rain or where the host building is
constructed of very porous materials. Some reconstituted stone is
particularly susceptible. An alternative solution which may be
appropriate is to treat the host wall above the conservatory wall plate
with a proprietary water sealant like Robex TWP that is brushed or
sprayed on and has a life of up to ten years.
Q. I have heard that conservatory roofs leak for a pastime; have you overcome this apparently endemic problem?
A. We have developed a dry-glazed roof system that uses a specially
designed gasket covering each roof member. The gasket is constructed of
a specialist material, which is able to expand and contract with the
changes in temperature and prevent any water ingress. In addition
the entire roof structure is completely covered with powder coated
aluminium rafter cappings and lead flashing (where necessary) to
protect against leaks.
Q. I have a manhole right in the middle of where I wish to place my conservatory, what can I do about it?
A. It may be expensive to move so you should consider fitting an
airtight cover over the top. You will have to be careful if you intend
to lay permanent flooring over the cover as access may be needed in the
future.
Problems?
Send us your building problem and we'll post it here, with our
suggested solution. But maybe you have an alternative? Just let us know.
