Glossary of Terms

5-Facet Conservatory

A conservatory that has been constructed with five sides (facets) to the front facing unit.

Air Conditioning

A system that allows the air to be cooled or heated depending on the temperature required.

Aluminium Frame

A conservatory that has been built out of the metal aluminium. It can be more expensive that PVCu but is renowned for its strength but light weight. However, it can be less insulating than alternative materials.

Argon Gas

The type of gas that is injected into the cavity of double glazing units. Used for double glazing and conservatories because it is highly insulating, keeping the cold air out in the winter, and providing insulation against heat in the summer months.

Base Wall

A brickwork wall base which the conservatory sits on, usually constructed between 300-750mm in height.

Building Regulations

The process of complying with local authority building and planning laws. However, most conservatory builds are exempt from local authority building regulations. See Gov.uk Building Regulations Approval for official government guidance.

Crest

A moulding placed on the top of a conservatory for decorative purposes. It is also claimed that it helps stop birds from landing and sitting on the conservatory roof.

Double Glazing

Fitted windows that have a dual-layer of paned glass with a space in between them for insulation. This helps to reduce external noise and reduce heat loss.

DPC

Damp Proof Course to protect conservatories from damp. It is normally laid around 1.5 metres above ground level.

Edwardian Conservatory

A square shaped conservatory with four sides, comprising of an apex roof.

FENSA

The Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme, which is the body that was set up by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), enabling companies that install windows and doors to self-certify compliance under local authority building regulations.

Foundation

As with most buildings, conservatories often need to be placed on a foundation, which is a layer of concrete set into the earth, providing the structure with a solid base.

Hardwood

A type of wood that conservatories are sometimes made from. Although they give a more aesthetic and natural appearance, they can be more expensive to build. Hardwoods include Oak, Beech, Cherry and Sycamore.

K-Glass

An abbreviated way of saying Pilkington K Glass, which is better at reducing heat loss due to a microscopic coating on the inside pane of glass. K-Glass reduces the amount of heat transferred to the inside of a double glazed window, meaning that it is more energy efficient and keeps rooms warmer in winter, and cooler in summer.

Lean to Conservatory

A type of conservatory build that is normally attached to a building. They usually have a rectangular shape and slanted roof.

P-Shape Conservatory

A conservatory that has been built like the letter P, with an apex roof structure.

Planning Permission

Permission that needs to be sought from the local authority to build structures or make alterations to buildings. Not normally needed for conservatories.

PVCu

Abbreviation for Polyvinyl Chloride (Unplasticised), a material that is used to make some conservatories. This relatively cheap but strong material is normally used to build conservatories on the lower end of the budget range.

Rainwater Pipe

Another word for a drainpipe, which is fitted to conservatories to take the rain water from the guttering surrounding the perimeter of the conservatory.

Summer House

An external, detached conservatory that is usually built separate from the main residence, typically in the garden.

Sun Lounge

See 'Lean to Conservatory'.

Underfloor Heating

A type of heating system that is used to warm the floors of conservatories. The system comprises of a network of narrow plastic tubes that carry warm water slightly below the surface of the floor. Others use a more expensive 'radiative floor' which uses an electrical heating system to provide heat to the conservatory floor.

Victorian Conservatory

A polygonal shaped conservatory with more than four sides, comprising of an apex roof.

Vinyl

Another shortened name for PVCu.