Here’s a video I found from Direct Conservatories 4U showing their conservatory frame connector system on which I have commented below.
Well I can see how this would look attractive to would-be DIY conservatory customers and I must admit that it is a nice idea… BUT, we are living in the real world and from my own experience in manufacturing and supplying thousands of DIY conservatories, I can see a very real problem here.
Due to the fact that the internal frame dimensions have to exactly match those of the internal roof ringbeam for the roof to fit correctly, this system would cause a problem when any tolerance is needed as there is no adjustment on frame spacing, as far as I can see.
This means that all the conservatory frames would have to be manufactured to the exact millimeter in width which can never be guaranteed due to weld burn-off tolerances which vary and are dependant on temperature.
The standard acceptable industry weld burn-off tolerance is +/- 2mm.
So lets say over a 5-frame conservatory elevation, the overall combined width of the frames is for example 6mm greater than that of the internal roof ringbeam – you’ve definately got a problem there, with no possible adjustment available and I’m afraid that the aluminium ringbeam won’t stretch even 1mm. Your only option would be to bodge the job with unsightly trims, otherwise re-make frames.
I also notice that their video show a Victorian conservatory section with 135 degree angles – what happens there? and what about fixing the frames to the corner posts? These have to be screwed together I would think, so that would mean you’re using one fixing system on some frames and another on others! What is the point of that?
I think that like ourselves, most conservatory suppliers prefer the use of PVCu H-connetor or aluminium butt joints between the frames and fixed securely with the correct screws. This then gives up to a 3mm adjustment per frame, so for example over 5 frames, you’ve got a 15mm overall width tolerance by loosening or tightening the screws that secure the frames together.
This makes any tolerances much easier to overcome for DIY conservatory customers and far less customer support requests for us.
