GGF Launches New Conservatory Guide

GGF Launches New Conservatory Guide

The GGF is pleased to announce the launch of the revised and updated Guide to Good Practice in the Specification and Installation of Conservatories within the UK

Launched on April 13^th at The FIT Show at Telford International Centre by Russell Day, GGF Technical Officer and Mark Hanson, Chairman of the GGF Conservatory Association, the new Guide includes the latest up to date information reflecting the changes in the legislative and regulatory landscape.

The history of the Guide goes back to February 2007 when the Conservatory Association, through their technical working party, originally produced this industry leading publication to provide a Good Practice Guide for companies selling, designing, specifying and installing Conservatories. This invaluable industry resource was revised in January 2012 as regulations and legal requirements changed. Throughout 2015, the Conservatory Association Technical working party worked consistently and meticulously to ensure the new Guide was launched in the first quarter of 2016.

Russell Day commented, “Since 2012, there has been a modest increase in the number of glazed extensions being built, the proportion of standard, Building Regulation exempt conservatories now represents a significantly lower proportion of these structures. The new guide addresses the many issues and demands the industry is now experiencing such as the increase in non-exempt conservatories, conservatories with enhanced features to meet the aesthetic aspirations of homeowners and an increase in the number and complexity of structural Orangery type glazed structures.

Mark Hanson added, “Consumers installing modern conservatories in their home now expect them to be everyday living spaces for throughout the year. I am pleased the GGF has revised the Guide to reflect the homeowners’ expectations and the legislative changes to incorporate a wider range of glazed structure requirements within the Guide.”

The recent changes include;

• Extending the permitted development rights in England and Wales and included additional Annexes to the guide addressing the issues relating to:

Building near to Sewers and Lateral drains owned by local Water Companies (found in Annex B of the new Guide). The GGF has also worked with Water UK, the Association representing water companies in England and Wales, to develop a procedure that will be adopted by all Water Companies to streamline the process of obtaining agreement to build near to the Water Companies assets.

• Guidance for renovating an existing conservatory when replacing a glazed conservatory roof with a solid roof and the possible effects on the existing exempt nature of the conservatory (Annex C).

The new Guide will be sent in printed format to all GGF Members. In addition, the Guide will be available for free download from the Members Area of the GGF website and if extra printed copies are required Members will be able to order them at a special Members’ discount from the GGF shop https://shop.ggfmembers.com/.