| There are many options when considering | | | | the attraction of an oak conservatory is |
| building a hardwood conservatory. The types | | | | unquestionable. A combination of the |
| of hardwood used can significantly affect not | | | | pronounced grain, silver rays and toughness |
| only the aesthetics but also the longer-term | | | | give it unrivalled appeal. Most oak comes |
| durability. A cheap hardwood conservatory | | | | from Europe or America. European oak, which |
| could last for less than ten years, whereas | | | | is slower growing and has a tighter grain, is |
| one built form a quality timber could last a | | | | the best. |
| lifetime. | | | | |
| | | | Idigbo |
| Timber is naturally sensitive to the | | | | |
| environment that it is in. A conservatory is | | | | Idigbo is an oak substitute. When stained, to |
| unique in that it may have to meet | | | | the non-expert it looks similar to oak, but |
| contrasting climates. On one side the comfort | | | | that is where the similarity ends. It is |
| of central heating and one the other the | | | | farmed in Ghana and the Ivory Coast and is a |
| harsh and temperamental climate. | | | | reasonable material for conservatories, It is |
| | | | used being extensively by reputable |
| When you consider a hardwood conservatory | | | | manufacturers as it is a cheap option and |
| there are a number of fact to reflect on | | | | easy to work. |
| ranging from the type and quality of the wood | | | | |
| through to the preparation, type of joints | | | | Iroco (Teak) |
| and finish. These factors have a significant | | | | |
| impact on the quality. | | | | Iroco is a good choice of hardwood, but is |
| | | | relatively expensive. It comes from Burma and |
| A good start point is to look at the tried, | | | | has a reddish brown colour. It is extremely |
| tested, and commonly used woods in British | | | | hard. Like oak, it will last for decades if |
| and American conservatories. It is estimated | | | | not centuries. Iroko is full of natural resin |
| that excess of 90% of all timber | | | | so special care has to be taken in choosing |
| conservatories are built from the following | | | | stains. |
| nine woods: | | | | |
| | | | Sapele and Meranti |
| Mahogany | | | | |
| | | | These are the most basic hardwoods used in |
| Brazilian Mahogany is exotic with reddish | | | | conservatory production. Meranti is farmed in |
| hues. It has graced many a stately home. | | | | areas like Indonesia. Sapele is found in |
| Craftsmen like working with mahogany as it | | | | areas of Africa. Some supplier's claim these |
| cuts nearly perfectly and it is a very | | | | are 'mahogany'. Whereas they come from the |
| durable woods. However the stripping of the | | | | mahogany family the difference between |
| Amazon rain forests has led to an estimated | | | | Brazilian mahogany and these substitutes is |
| reduction of 70% of the worlds supply. | | | | like comparing oak with pine. However, if |
| Importation of Brazilian mahogany is highly | | | | theses timbers are properly treated they will |
| regulated and the progressive influence of | | | | last better than softwoods. Conservatories |
| the green lobby may see a decline in the use | | | | found in the large stores are normally |
| of this wood in the future. Friends of the | | | | manufactured from this wood. |
| Earth are greatly concerned about the use of | | | | |
| this hardwood. | | | | Utile |
| | | | |
| Oak | | | | With the restrictions with Brazilian |
| | | | mahogany, some manufacturers have switched to |
| Oak sits at the top of the pile in terms of | | | | Utile. It is a good hardwood with a medium to |
| the connoisseur of wood. Many countries built | | | | dark red. It is more expensive that Meranti |
| their seafaring reputations on the might of | | | | and Sapele, but also comes from Africa. |
| oak-built ships and many medieval oak-framed | | | | |
| constructions still stand proud today Oak is | | | | If you are looking for a hardwood |
| expensive to work with given its hardness and | | | | conservatory, bear these facts in mind. |
| strength and cost of raw materials. However, | | | | |