This conservatory was built during the 1970s and it had had numerous repairs made over the years; it had been looked after with a replacement roof some 20 years ago. The original roof I was told was glass. My initial visit was to assess what repairs needed to be done. The customer had told me over the phone that there was an issue with rain water coming through the now very tired roof and ‘one or two’ other places .

The conservatory was extensively used when I visited it was full of seedlings ready for the garden. Once the seedlings were done it reverted back to a studio where painting took place of garden scenes of wildlife and flowers . It was a valuable asset to them and they certainly did not want to lose it. Unfortunately the conservatory was really beyond economic repair so after a reality check with the customers it was decided to replace like for like.

Accoya was chosen as the preferred timber over Hardwood . Accoya will certainly outlast Hardwood and is sustainable. I have driven through the Radiata Forests in New Zealand and there’s a lot of replanting  as trees are felled. It’s a relatively fast growing species . This is on the South Island and there’s a visitor centre at one end of the forest which amongst other attractions has a section detailing the forest’s sustainability and replenishment and it’s economic importance to the South Island economy.

I decided to undertake the job of manufacturing a replacement  in my workshop over what I thought would be the hottest time of the year, July and August, hoping to stay out of the sun and heat. It took around 4 weeks to manufacture  and I used sawn stock so I had to machine everything.  As long as it looked the same in the end I could make some alterations to how various components were joined. We had a wet and relatively cool summer.

The original was a factory made affair with far too many individual pieces which became its weak points where rain water could penetrate. The glazing beads were not bedded in any sealant; it was this that sealed its fate. 

A date was booked for installation. It took around 8 days from dismantling the old one to completion of the new one along with a new roof. I mentioned earlier that I wanted to avoid the worst of the summer sun so I thought September would be fine for working on site which incidentally has no shade from the sun and is South facing. I was Wrong . 

There was a heat wave in early September and I could not back out of my commitment to dates.

I had other commitments during the rest of September and the customer had scheduled the week off work as well. Working in 30 degree heat and full sun is brutal .  The end of the job couldn’t come soon enough. On the last day storm clouds were building from the west and finally after 8 days of heat the weather changed dramatically. 1 hour after completion  I was clearing up with that heavy thundery atmosphere that was soon  followed by lightning and torrential rain . I stood in the torrential rain, got absolutely drenched and loved it.