Bedroom Windows

As the popularity of conservatories has grown, the different options for style and materials have also expanded enormously. Whereas conservatories used to come in a very limited range, it's now possible to have a conservatory frame built from pretty much any kind of material you could possibly think of. Obviously, the more bespoke the conservatory you are looking for, the higher the cost is likely to be, but if you want to choose from some of the more conventional frames then the options are basically uPVC, timber or aluminium.

uPVC conservatory frames have become very popular as they are hardwearing and relatively cheap. The white of the uPVC gives the conservatory continuous lines and can be integrated into pretty much any property, no matter how high-spec the design. This type of frame will not fade in the sun, will not need repainting and doesn't usually require much in the way of maintenance.

Timber frames have a lovely natural feel to them and will give any outside space a natural feel. The wood will usually have been cut or treated to make it extremely durable and it will often fade in the sun to give it an attractively 'weathered' look. The downside of this is once it gets too weathered, the wood usually needs to be replaced. Finding a good carpenter or joiner who will be prepared to undertake this kind of work is not that easy and of course, this kind of work to your timber conservatory will need to be repeated at regular intervals to ensure that the timber on the conservatory remains in good condition. Before then, it will need to be properly maintained and properly weatherproofed on a regular basis using good timber treatments.

Aluminium frames are very popular for their durability and the fact that they are very low maintenance. They may not be as attractive as a timber frame, but once they're up there's really very little else you have to do to them - that is something that is worth bearing in mind when you consider size of a job like repainting your entire timber conservatory! However, again, bear in mind that aluminium frames can become a little tired with time and this can add to their low aesthetic value.

All of the above should be taken into consideration when deciding which kind of frame to choose for your conservatory. This type of home improvement work will represent a substantial investment so these factors, as well as other important considerations with regards to conservatory designs, styles and also the size of your conservatory will all play an important part in the decision making process.

Good conservatory companies will be able to help in deciding which types of frames and styles to choose for your new conservatory as they will often have an established portfolio of work which they have carried out previously for past customers.

Olivia Reynolds has written many articles about building, construction and home improvement having worked in the industry for many years. She works with Top Tradespeople, the home improvement site to find tradesmen, including conservatory companies quotes.