Help with identifying conservatory construction materials

[darreng1983]

Hi, I've inherited a small lean too conservatory that I'm looking to make more thermally efficient.

I'm struggling to work out what it's walls are actually made from, the external face is rendered. It's at least 20 years old I'm told

I've attached two photos, inside and out.

Internally, from looking round the windows/doors, it looked like it had been plasterboarded but since I've smashed a hole into it, it doesn't appear to be the case. You can see the layer where it has been skimmed, but then about 10mm in, there is this metal latice.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[stuart45]

Looks like blockwork to me.

 

[endecotp]

I also once had what I thought was plasterboard but then discovered a metal lattice:

https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/plasterboard-with-embedded-steel-mesh.467380/

This useful forum told me what it was, but not until 5 months after I asked.....

Anyway, yes, it's plaster over expanded metal mesh. The mesh may be everywhere or maybe just in corners or other difficult locations.
As stuart says, in the second pic it looks like blockwork underneath.

 

[tomfe]

It'll be the corner beads in the render.
Not sure why you are knocking holes in it though, are you?

 

[Alastairreid]

The mesh is from the beads, its block built with a 2 coat render and 2 coat plaster.

 

[darreng1983]

Thanks everyone. Next question, is it ok having the block work resting on top of the window like that? I'm looking to replace them with upvc units

 

[John D v2.0]

Normally there would be a lintel over the window, the shouldn't be any load on the window frames themselves.

 

[^woody^]

Tapping with your knuckles normally suffices.

 

[stuart45]

It's hurts making a hole like that with your knuckles though.

 

[^woody^]

It's hurts making a hole like that with your knuckles though.

Not those with thick frontal lobes.