Clearview National January 2015 - Issue 158 | Page 62

conservatories

Triple Potential…?
Tim Franks, Managing Director at Aztec Conservatory Roof
Systems, looks at current market conditions and opportunities.
»»“Keep focused on what can
really earn money would be a good idea in the
current conservatory market.
“For the first time in a while, there is an
abundance of new ideas, but how many will
genuinely become serious considerations?
Triple glazing, internal decorative details, lift
and slide doors, but which, if indeed any, of
these will have the impact of developments
such as, for example, polycarbonate roof
glazing back in the 1990s?
“Colour has been much vaunted over the
past five years or so, but in all honesty how
many coloured conservatories have been done,
in comparison to the traditional white and
woodgrains? Hence why I advise fabricators
and installers to be practical as to which
innovations to adopt: Which will be efficient
to implement and have a positive impact on
one’s bottom line?

“Of the three potential areas above, it is the
internal decorative detail that is generating
interest among consumers, and one that
is worthwhile adopting. Most of the roof
systems companies now have variations, and
all offer a substantial added value element
delivering on average up to 100% mark-up! To
really optimise potential, get a local plasterer
on board so you can offer the consumer a
complete package that always has more appeal,
increasing the sales opportunity, and your
profitability on the project.
“And think outside the box with this
one. Traditionally, we as an industry target
homeowners who want to extend/improve
their property. Local housebuilders could
become customers, as they react to the
growing trend towards light, open plan
designs. Several are now actually designing
their homes with a ground floor, projecting

area with
bifold
doors, in
theory to meet
the
trend and offer buyers an easy way to extend
in the future. Currently, these house styles
have a traditional flat roof, but that could
be replaced with a lantern or orangery style
glazed roof, with or without the interior soffit
detail. It would be a comparatively long-term
‘sell’ but one that would, if adopted, yield
steady, volume business.
“An under-rated angle for fabricators and
retailers to pursue would be the weather
performance of the conservatory, especially
considering the extreme conditions we have
faced over the past few winters with gale force
winds and unprecedented levels of rainfall.
How many roofs have been able to withstand
those extremes, and remain intact?

Let It Breathe
»»In previous issues, Clearview
has met with real-life installers to discuss
the benefits and opportunities for solid roof
systems. In this issue Jim Dance, MD of Roof
2 Roof by Absolute Window Co, gives his
trouble-shooting guide for condensation in
solid roof conservatories...
“In the 18 months since Roof 2 Roof has
been fabricating the Supalite system at our
factory in Manchester, we have kept a close
eye on the developing market for solid roofs
and identified potential areas of concern,
which we have addressed.
“Ultimately we are dealing with an
aluminium structure with timber on
the top and bottom, creating a thermal
barrier. Aluminium, by nature, generates
condensation, so it is absolutely essential to
create an airflow gap between the insulating
boards, allowing it to dry.
“We have seen an instance where the
homeowner, worried about drafts, has asked
the installer to seal the inside of the structure
with foam and flash band down the hip joints.
In this particular case the customer had no

62 » JAN 2015 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M

‘absolutely essential’
lights or vents installed in the roof either. The
result was spots of damp appearing in the
internal plaster, which could potentially create
black mould that is very difficult and costly to
get rid of. There was basically no air flow to
keep the structure dry.
“Since the aluminium structure of a solid
roof system generates condensation, the
timber insulating battens gives an air break.
100mm of polyurethane insulation is followed
by a 20mm air gap, followed by plywood and
felt, then another 20mm air gap. The starter
trim we install on our roofs, designed to hook
on to battens, allows air to pass through the

roof structure but not into the room itself.
This circulation of air keeps the roof and its
components dry and mould free.
“Our Supalite roof system has been
developed to dispel any concerns the
homeowner or installer may have about a
solid roof. And we also offer free training to
installers at our factory on how to install one
of our roofs, how the roof all goes together
and even how to sell it. These are set up on an
individual basis.”
To book your free training, call Jim Dance
on 0161 7931166.