Here you will find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions - from conservatory planning, to designing, delivery and building. With over 20 years experience we’ve encountered most scenarios several times over. Our customer care team are happy to talk you through any questions or concerns you might have on 0800 389 7261.
Planning Law & Building Regulations
As a rule you do not usually need to apply for planning permission from your local authority, with the following exceptions:
- Detached and semi-detached houses; If the conservatory increases the overall volume of the original house by whichever is greater - 70m³ or 15% of the volume up to maximum of 115m³. An original house is defined as how house was first built or as it stood on 1st July 1948. If the house was built before 1948 then subsequent extensions will count against the allowance.
- Terraced or end-of-terrace houses; If the conservatory increases the overall volume of the original house by whichever is greater - 50m³ or 10% of the volume up to a maximum of 115m³.
- The house is a listed building or in a conservation area.
- A condition was imposed on the estate when it was built that removes the permitted right to build an extension/conservatory, without prior approval of the local authority.
- A covenant was imposed by the house builder, applicable for a limited period after completion of the construction work.
- The conservatory (and any previous extensions) will occupy more than 50% of the original garden area.
- The conservatory is not intended for purely domestic use.
- Any part of the conservatory encroaches over the boundary of the property.
- The conservatory is on any wall fronting the highway (including public footpaths, bridle ways and byways.
- Any part of the conservatory is closer to the highway than the original house.
The conservatory is higher than the original house. In addition, the overall height of the conservatory must not exceed 4m when the conservatory is less than 2m from any boundary. If greater than 2m from any boundary, the height of the conservatory may equal the height of the house.
Other regulations govern properties located in National Parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty, and Scotland has its own regulations. We recommend that you check with your Council for a full list of conditions.
Our advice on Planning Permission is issued as a guideline only. For more detailed or up to date information Centurion DIY Conservatories recommend you contact the appropriate Planning and / or Building Control Department of your local Council and obtain written confirmation of specific terms relating to your own property.
Conservatories are classed as temporary structures, and as such do not generally have to conform to Building Regulations. To qualify as a conservatory for exemption from Building Regulations the building must:
- Have a roof with transparent or translucent material for at least 75% of its area.
- Have walls glazed with transparent material for at least half their area.
- Be sited at ground level.
- Be under 30m² floor area.
- Have an external grade door between house and conservatory. (Should you wish to create an open-plan conservatory we can advise on suitable glazing to ensure compliance with Building Regulations).
- Have a heating system (if any) which is separate from the central heating for the main house or which can be separately controlled (e.g. with thermostatic radiator valve or on/off switch).
- Comply with Building Regulations Part N and be glazed with toughened safety glass.
- You cannot install any plumbing or drainage in a conservatory without seeking Building Regulation approval.
Our advice on Building Regulations is issued as a guideline only. For more detailed or up to date information Centurion DIY Conservatories recommend you contact the appropriate Planning and / or Building Control Department of your local Council and obtain written confirmation of specific terms relating to your own property.
Designing your conservatory
Our DIY Lean To and Edwardian conservatories are our most popular designs and suit a wide variety of house styles. Popular options include glass roofs and Pilkington K glass to make your conservatory more energy efficient.
We include free 3D drawings with your conservatory quote to help you visualise your chosen conservatory design.
We use Pilkington toughened safety glass as standard for all units except fanlights, and can offer the full glass ranges from Pilkington, Reflex and others. You may wish to consider specifying Pilkington "K" glass, which has an invisible reflective coating to keep your conservatory warmer during the winter months. Please note - "K" glass does not have any effect on heat from the sun - it only recognises man-made heat.
No. Centurion manufacture conservatories with the lowest number of frames possible to maximise the glass area and keep plastic to a minimum. It also saves time when installing.
No problem. We make each conservatory to your requirements so doors and opening windows can be positioned to suit your needs.
Payment Terms
We request 25% deposit payment with order, with the balance payable on delivery. We accept all major credit / debit cards (sorry - not American Express) and do not surcharge for credit card payments. Call for details of other payment methods.
Once you are happy with your final specification and quote, ordering your conservatory is simple.
- Place a 25% deposit
- Base plans sent so that you or your builder can begin foundations and dwarf wall (if specified)
- The balance is paid on the delivery date of your choice - this can be anytime from 10 working days from placing your order
Delivery
Centurion DIY Conservatories provide free delivery to mainland destinations in most of England & Wales. Deliveries to Scotland and offshore addresses may incur a surcharge.
Delivery is typically 10 working days from the approval of your order. If you require faster delivery, we will be happy to discuss your requirements. If you would like to postpone delivery, simply let us know and we will schedule for a date that is convenient for you. Delivery of orders for steel base and/or walls is typically 3 - 4 weeks from order.
We always try to deliver complete orders on the day arranged. On rare occassions if we have a problem (e.g. a piece of glass breaks while loading) we will notify you in advance.
All of our deliveries are made using Centurion's own lorries/vans and drivers. We don't use carriers or agency staff. Our driver will offload the conservatory for you and stack where required - we won't just leave it at the gate!
Building Your Conservatory
The following tools are necessary to install the Centurion Base, Frames and Roof.
- Small tower or working platform
- 10 tread platform steps
- 2-section extension ladder
- Work bench
- 8 x 150mm masonry drill bits
- 4 x 119mm HSS drill bits
- 8 x 165mm HSS drill bits
- 2 x 12" ratchet clamps
- Mallet with white rubber head
- Long nosed pliers
- 13mm socket and ratchet
- Electric hammer drill
- 4" Angle grinder with
- masonry discs
- Battery operated screwdriver
- 4' spirit level
- 10m measuring tape
- Roofing square
- Silicone sealant gun
- Hacksaw
- Stanley knife
- 13 & 17mm open ended spanners
- 60mm diameter hole cutters
- 5mm Allen key
We supply comprehensive instructions with every DIY conservatory. All of our guides are also available in the download area to help you see what is required ahead of time. These guides include The Ultrafame Roof Installation Guide, and Centurion Self-Build Guide. You can also call our Technical Support Team on Freephone 0800 389 7261 08.30 - 17.00 Monday - Friday for assistance at any step of the way.
Centurion DIY Conservatories supply all frames, roof, glazing and external cills, along with a fitting kit with mastics, masonry fixings, self-tapping screws to join frames where necessary, couplers to hide any joins between frames plus glazing packers. We can also supply internal pvc-u window boards if required - ask for prices. All you will need to buy is suitable lead flashing to seal the roof to your house wall.
With the groundwork complete, you can expect the construction of your DIY conservatory to take 3-4 days as a guide.
A good level of DIY experience is recommended, or indeed the help of people that do. We have been fabricating conservatories for over 20 years and understand how to make a DIY conservatory as easy to build as possible. All instructions are supplied, along with all fixtures and fittings that you will require. If you do get stuck our technical support team are just a phone call away.
If you're less confident in your DIY skills you are still likely to save hundreds if not thousands of pounds over a conservatory supplied as a turnkey installation, if you choose to have a builder to complete part or all of the work.
Once you have your quote and free drawings any reputable builder should be able to provide a figure for installing your conservatory.
Not all conservatories require a tie bar – our conservatory designers will make the necessary calculations when we process your order. If required, the tie bar or bars will be included as part of the roof kit. If tie bars are included it is essential that they are fitted as they form a structural part of the roof. If tie bars are not supplied it means that they are not required. Tie bars can be orderd as a decorative feature if you prefer.
We will send you a baseplan when you order. You build your base and dwarf walls to this plan, we make the conservatory to the same plan and it will fit perfectly! If you have already built your base or walls, we will manufacture the conservatory to your specified dimensions.
Polycarbonate is a practical and economical roofing material. Centurion conservatories have 32mm polycarbonate as standard, which gives excellent heat and sound insulation. The colour choices and solar control options available mean there is an alternative perfect for every situation.
Glass is a classic choice offering the chance to star gaze or watch the trees through the roof. Beware of using clear standard glass in a South facing conservatory – as in the summer temperatures inside can become unbearably hot. There are excellent solar control glasses available.
Call us on 0800 389 7261 we’ll be happy to answer all your questions and talk you through the roof options.
FENSA certification applies to installers working within the glass and glazing sector. As Centurion sell conservatories, windows and doors on a supply-only basis, we do not have FENSA status. If you wish to have your conservatory installed by a professional, we may be able to recommend a FENSA registered installer in your area.
We provide our own comprehensive 10 year guarantee on our conservatories.
Peace of mind
Centurion provide a 10 year guarantee on all parts including sealed units, handles and hinges. We've been around for over 20 years so you can be assured that Centurion will still be here in years to come.
We take every care to ensure that your conservatory is delivered complete and in perfect condition. All conservatories are loaded at our factory in Letchworth, and delivered by our own drivers - we don’t use carriers - and your driver will check off the parts with you. We will arrange for free-of-charge replacement of any missing or damaged items or parts reported to us within 14 days of delivery, giving you plenty of time to check.
All Centurion conservatory frames are FULLY reinforced with box-section steel. Our full-height conservatories are always made from wide outer frames for additional rigidity. We use Zoom Conservatory Systems which has been BBA approved.