Conservatory technology

Frames

What's to know about PVCu window frames? you may ask. Aren't they all the same?

Well... Yes and No is our considered answer.

If you buy them from a reputable company then, to all intents and purposes they are all the same to you, the customer. Any noticeable differences will be in styling details and handle design.

All the top manufacturers are striving all the time to make their product just as secure, strong and insulating as the others. This is great news for the consumer, because it means that if you choose your installing company well, they will have already chosen a window system which will meet your basic needs.

So, I shouldn't care which system my installing company uses?

Not quite, you should check that they use an internally glazed system (this is more secure, it means that sealed units cannot be removed from the outside).

You should ask if shootbolt locking (opposite) is used on all openers (this, again, is more secure than standard button locking).

Doors should have muli-point locking (opposite) with deadbolt, shootbolts and/or claw or hook locks for added security.

You should also check that all outer frames are reinforced, this is more important in a conservatory because the frames are supporting a large, heavy roof (house windows do not have to do this). Do not be fobbed off by vague answers here, reinforcement is crucial.

What about style, then?

This is where you can 'personalise' your conservatory a little by choosing the frame system used.
All good suppliers will be able to offer you a choice of bead profiles (opposite), these can add an extra touch of class to the lines of your conservatory, there are more available styles than those shown and more becoming available as we write.
The frame profile too can be a sculptured system to match the beads and give a very pleasant finish.

Handles can either add a nice touch to your conservatory or look cheap and nasty and break very quickly.

A lot of medium sized companies, we have noticed, tend to put cheap, reversible handles on unless the customer specifies differently.

Be aware that you can have virtually any style handles that you want.
Frames and locks are pretty universal.

Why put up with flimsy looking white plastic handles when some nice 'handed' brass ones will set the whole interior of your conservatory off nicely.

To summarise - You are unlikely to get frames that are unfit for the purpose unless you go very cheap.

But ask a few questions to make sure that you are getting what you have the right to expect - A proper, secure, robust system.

And don't forget to get nice handles, they shouldn't cost the earth.