The Building Regulations are common standards applied throughout the building trade to new properties and a most extensions. They are in place to ensure that high levels of safety and energy efficiency are maintained. As we are writing this post in April 2010, the majority of lean to conservatories, and most other conservatory designs, are exempt from the building regulations in England and Wales.

New Regulations

Later this year, around October time, revised Building Regulations will come into force that are expected to affect conservatories, including lean to designs. If you are planning to undertake a DIY lean to conservatory installation project you will need to be aware of the proposals and possible changes. The changes mainly relate to energy efficiency issues as a result of the growing publicity surrounding climate change, and the pressure being put on governments to do their part to protect the environment as best they can.

Expected Changes

The changes we are concerned with are to Document L of the Building Regulations. It is expected that they will first of all specify minimal insulation levels for concrete conservatory bases, along with deeper base footings than those that are required at the moment. Low E double glazed glass is also likely to be necessary under the new regulations. These proposals should help to bring conservatories in line with the rest of your home as far as energy efficiency and the reduction of carbon emissions is concerned.

Enforcement

When a new conservatory is finished, the Regulations will require a certificate to be issued that states the structure meets the new standards. This will be provided by your local authority, who will charge for an inspection of the conservatory and the certificate itself. The certificate will also need to be produced if the property is sold.

How the Regulations Will Effect You

The Revised regulations will make it slightly more expensive to install DIY lean to conservatories. The project will also take longer to complete with the added hassle of obtaining a certificate once the structure is finished. On the plus side, the regulations will make your home more energy efficient. They will also prevent cheap, low quality DIY conservatories being sold that are marketed on price and little else. This should help to protect you as a customer, removing some of the poorer conservatory DIY packages from the market.

Most companies who are selling lean to conservatories designed for DIY installation should be more than willing to help you out when trying to understand the new Regulations. They will affect all conservatory manufacturers and suppliers, so knowledge should be widespread.