Are you planning to put a greenhouse to your yard? If you are thinking of using a DIY conservatory kit, you need to plan the project well. Such project requires a lot of time, effort and money, and planning ahead can prevent construction blunders. The facts and tips here will guide you in successfully building your conservatory.

Preparing your House and Site

This may sound like a very basic tip, but many end up postponing their projects due to technical details they’ve missed. For example, is the area clear from trees and shrubs? Can the ground support an additional structure?

The first thing you should do is to survey your land. Find a space where the planned design of the conservatory can complement your house. Think about heating and power supply. Are you going to purchase a stand heater or are you going to connect the conservatory to your existing heating pipes? If you are considering the latter, you should carefully plan the proximity of the unit from your home.

Next, you don’t want to put your conservatory just anywhere. The goal of a glass house is to receive ample sunlight and heat for the plants that you will put inside. Hence, the northern orientation is not a smart idea for most plant types because it receives the least amount of sunlight. You should also plan ahead to avoid obstructions and shade from trees and structures.

Choosing a Design

The common goal of homeowners who are working on a DIY conservatory is the beautification of their property. While the choice and strength of materials are important considerations, design must be given equal weight. If you don’t have ideas for design yet, you may want to consider the traditional types of architecture for conservatories.

The Georgian or more commonly known as the Edwardian design has high-pitched roofs with a decorative ridge. Victorian greenhouses also have the same features, with additional 4-5 ornate facets at the front. The Victorian style is a popular choice to match old-style houses.

Relatively modern designs include the “Lean to” and the “Gabled” styles. The Lean to design has down-sloping roofs. The Gabled style is usually applied to match old houses with intricate brickwork. Unlike Lean to greenhouses, gabled ones