Building a conservatory and more....

[ColJack]

how about a sun tracking mirror in the garden instead?
reflect the light into the living room..

solar panels on the roof to heat the rads in the house?

sketchup is a very good little program..

got it last friday after being advised on here, and here's 2 i've made since then..

a little granny flat for my mansion when I win the lottery..

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• ColJack
• 6 Jun 2010
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• 6 Jun 2010
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and a house I did from a picture i saw..

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• ColJack
• 9 Jun 2010
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• ColJack
• 9 Jun 2010
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• ColJack
• 9 Jun 2010
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• ColJack
• 9 Jun 2010
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• 9 Jun 2010
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• 9 Jun 2010
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• 9 Jun 2010
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[Richard C]

sketchup is a very good little program..

That looks impressive; I down loaded Sketchup 7 from the link posted on here a few days ago but haven’t had a chance to play yet. Is it just have the basic freebie version 7 you have or the Pro version & plugins which you seem to have to pay for ?

 

[ColJack]

just the freebie

well worth watching the video tutorials..
learning the shortcut keys helps loads too... and remember, alt-z is your friend..

 

[DevilDamo]

I too need to learn SketchUp properly. I was given a VERY basic introduction/tutorial on it by a work colleague but you really need to just play around with it.

I have the most recent SU download and I also had to download a seperate insertion add-on that imports AutoCAD drawings into SketchUp. The Pro version already does this and if/when SketchUp release their next version, the import tool will not be available. They have already confirmed this.

 

[conservatory4me]

Sorry for the delayed reply. Been busy learning Sketchup. Its wonderful software, so thank you for recommending it.

I'm still at early stages and i'll hopefully be posting more pics, but for now here is what i want the proposed conservatory to look like:-

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Thanks for the replies guys...here are a few more questions:-

1. What is a sun tracking mirror and where can i get hold of it from? How much does it cost?
2. Lets say that i decide that i want to knock out walls, which means i go 4 a proper planning application and maybe tried to approve it as an extension, rather than a conservatory, what are my chances of success?
3. Ideas wise, what do you guys recommend?

 

[Richard C]

Well that’s a rather impressive effort in such a short space of time .

I would go for an extension (garden room); I believe you may be able to achieve most of what you want by using glass roof units (double or triple glazed) & higher thermal insulation on the windows & other parts of the property to offset but it’s not something I’m fully conversant with, maybe one of the other guys know enough to fill in some more detail for you but it will probably need specialist design input to satisfy LABC & I would only do it under a full plans submission which means you get Building Regs approval in advance.

The cost is going to be way above your average conservatory though.

 

[ColJack]

if it's made of glass then you aren't impinging on your neighbours right to light much, but if you go for a proper extension then you're going to be blocking the neighbours light and they'll moan about it no doubt.

 

[conservatory4me]

Thank you richard and coljack. The problem with having a garden room is that its very expensive. I was thinking if spent a good amount of money on an improved conservatory i.e. tripe glazed windows, fully insulated walls, underfloor heating...would that do the job?

Lastly here is another diagram showing what i want to do:-

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Is this possible?

 

[ColJack]

your RSJ need to be horizontal, they won't support much on an angle, the wall would want to slide down the slope..

so you're limited to the lower height for the RSJ, so you won't take out as much wall..

it's physically do-able but you'd need a structural engineer to inspect and size all the steels and spec the footings and columns to support them.. and then you're into silly money..

 

[conservatory4me]

thanks coljack . Give me some time mate and i'll do you guys a top-view diagram showing our current layout. Maybe you guys can come up with a better strategy then. FYI I'm willing to spend up to £15k as i'm gonna take out a loan.

Oh i almost forgot....how do i now convert the image i've done into 2D?

 

[ColJack]

this program someone does something similar to what you want to do..

you have to sit through a minute or so of adverts before it starts but it might give you some ideas..

edit: bah, forgot to put the link in.. my bad..

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/room-for-improvement/4od#2929788

 

[conservatory4me]

this program someone does something similar to what you want to do..

you have to sit through a minute or so of adverts before it starts but it might give you some ideas..

what adverts?

 

[Richard C]

I was thinking if spent a good amount of money on an improved conservatory i.e. tripe glazed windows, fully insulated walls, underfloor heating...would that do the job?

No; if you open it up the area will become a part of your house & will not be classed as a conservatory but as an extension. As such it will have to comply with all relevant Building Regulations including current thermal insulation standards & the only way you can really achieve that is with less or higher spec. windows & a properly insulated roof unless you explore the route I suggested; effectively it amounts to the same thing.

 

[Static]

Bear in mind that the "improved conservatory" will need external doors to the existing building to be considered a conservatory and thus doesnt fall under building regs.. and is therefore cheaper than a proper extension as corners can be cut..

Oh and anything is possible to structurally support so long as you have lots of cash.. chances are tho removing both of those walls will blow about 1/4qtr of your budget alone, the steels will more than likely need bigger and better foundations at the support points and will be quite chunky members..

 

[ColJack]

Oh i almost forgot....how do i now convert the image i've done into 2D?

15k and you want to take walls out? you'll be lucky..

as for the 2d picture, File > Export > 2d Graphic, then select the extension you want ( .jpg .gif etc. )