We have been building timber conservatories and orangeries for over 25 years, the majority of them have been manufactured in hardwoods such as utile, red grandis meranti, or sapele. Over time we have seen a variation in the quality and availability of the timber stocks, hence the use of different species at different stages.
Within the joinery and construction it has always been understood that the natural beauty and feel of timber products and the traditional appearance afforded by timber buildings have always come with a few drawbacks; namely stability, durability and maintenance.
Accoya, which is a relatively new product in Britain, is a game-changer. Accoya has a 50-year warranty when used above ground, such as in an orangery. It is also guaranteed for 25 years when used below ground or in water.
Please visit: www.accoya.com
When investing in a high-quality timber orangery, the choice of material plays a critical role in determining the longevity, durability, and overall aesthetics of the structure. One of the best wood materials available today is Accoya, a high-performance modified timber that offers exceptional benefits for external applications, including orangeries.
Accoya is a revolutionary timber that undergoes a process called acetylation, which enhances its natural properties, making it one of the most durable and stable wood types on the market. This sustainable timber option is derived from fast-growing, responsibly sourced softwood that is transformed into a material that outperforms traditional hardwoods in multiple ways.
One of the standout advantages of Accoya is its unparalleled durability. With a lifespan of up to 50 years above ground and 25 years in direct contact with soil or water, it is designed to withstand the test of time. This makes it an ideal choice for timber orangeries, which are continually exposed to varying weather conditions. Additionally, Accoya is highly resistant to swelling, shrinking, or warping due to changes in temperature and humidity. Unlike traditional timber, which can expand and contract, Accoya maintains its shape, ensuring that doors, windows, and frames remain structurally sound and functional for decades.
Timber orangeries are constantly exposed to the elements, making weather resistance a crucial factor. Accoya’s natural resistance to moisture and rot makes it perfect for external applications, providing superior weatherproofing that minimises maintenance and repair needs. Its eco-friendly properties further enhance its appeal, as it is sourced from fast-growing, sustainable forests and is fully certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Free from harmful chemicals, Accoya is a non-toxic material that supports environmentally responsible building choices.
Another major advantage of Accoya is its low maintenance requirements. Thanks to its durability and resistance to external elements, it retains paint and finishes for longer, reducing the need for frequent repainting or staining. Homeowners seeking a long-lasting, high-performance timber orangery will find that Accoya offers an outstanding combination of beauty, sustainability, and longevity.
Kingsholme Conservatories, a leading specialist in designing and manufacturing premium-quality timber orangeries, maximises the benefits of Accoya to create structures of exceptional quality. By using Accoya in their orangery frames, windows, and doors, they ensure optimal structural integrity. The timber’s resistance to warping and swelling allows Kingsholme’s expert joiners to craft intricate designs with precision, ensuring that every component fits perfectly and remains stable over time.
Energy efficiency is another key benefit of Accoya-based orangeries. Kingsholme incorporates this high-performance timber into their designs to maximise thermal insulation, helping to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures throughout the year. This reduces reliance on artificial heating and cooling, resulting in improved energy efficiency and lower energy costs.
The ability of Accoya to hold paint and finishes exceptionally well is another factor that Kingsholme takes full advantage of. By applying bespoke finishes, they enhance the natural beauty of the timber while protecting it from external wear and tear, ensuring that the orangery maintains its aesthetic appeal for many years.
Sustainability is at the core of Kingsholme’s philosophy, and Accoya aligns perfectly with their commitment to environmentally responsible materials. By choosing Accoya for their orangeries, they provide clients with a product that is not only durable and low-maintenance but also contributes to a reduced carbon footprint.
Accoya has revolutionised the timber industry by offering a material that combines the natural beauty of wood with unparalleled durability and sustainability. Kingsholme leverages these benefits to deliver stunning, long-lasting orangeries that require minimal upkeep while standing strong against the elements. Homeowners seeking a premium orangery that is both elegant and enduring will find Kingsholme’s Accoya-based designs to be the ultimate solution
Astragal bars are the slim decorative glazing bars which are used to create the traditional ‘Georgian’ style in modern double glazed windows. Original windows featured multiple single panes which were fixed with putty into timber frames, however this is not effective with wider modern double glazed units that are secured by beads.
The industry solution is to use one large double-glazed unit with an intermediate spacer bar set between the glass, then to bond timber fretwork to the inside and outside of the pane to create the desired effect. Given this section of timber is thin an has to be bonded to the glass, it’s imperative it’s durable and stable.
Whilst there are composite materials on the market, Accoya is the best pure wood option and avoids have ‘plasticky’ components on an otherwise timber window.
The decorative entablature at the top of the orangery is made with Accoya mouldings produced to our own customer profiles. We machine these ourselves to suitable lengths for each job minimising the number of joins.
The rear fascia board comes from the sister product Tricoya Extreme, which is a board product made from Accoya wood and has the same manufacturer’s guarantee of 50 years.
Our decorative pilasters with plinths and capitals are important features of most timber orangeries. We typically use structural columns, in either hardwood or steel which are covered in the decorative pilasters made from Accoya and Tricoya.
The main benefits to using Accoya are durability and stability, but this method also has it’s practical advantages in that the decorative covered can be fitted nearer the end of the build process thereby minimising potential for getting dirty or damaged.
At Kingsholme, we have a deep sense of pride in the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into creating our traditional hardwood orangeries and roof lanterns. Our state-of-the-art factory, located in the heart of Bedfordshire, is home to a team of highly skilled and experienced artisans who uphold the highest standards of quality and artistry.
Whether you have envisioned a complete hardwood orangery or a captivating timber roof lantern, our dedicated team is committed to bringing your ideas to life. Our craftsmen skillfully blend time-honored techniques with modern expertise to craft bespoke structures that seamlessly harmonize with the architectural style of your home, elevating its aesthetic appeal.
From the initial design phase to the final installation, we work closely with you to fully grasp your vision and translate it into a tangible reality. We offer a wide array of customization options, including a choice of hardwood, finishes, and intricate details, allowing you to create a truly personalized and unique space.
Once our masterpieces are meticulously crafted within our Bedfordshire factory, our own installation teams, comprising seasoned professionals, ensure a flawless and seamless installation of your hardwood orangery or roof lantern. We understand the significance of precision and attention to detail, and we take every measure to surpass your expectations.
With Kingsholme, you can trust that your project is entrusted to experts who are deeply passionate about their craft. We are unwaveringly dedicated to delivering exceptional quality, durability, and beauty, ensuring that your traditional hardwood orangery or roof lantern becomes a timeless centerpiece within your home.
Embark on a journey of elegance and fine craftsmanship with Kingsholme’s traditional hardwood orangeries and roof lanterns. Let us assist you in transforming your vision into a breathtaking reality that will be treasured for years to come.
The initial contact with Kingsholme and the professionalism of the product presentation singled Kingsholme out above other companies considered.
In short, we unreservedly recommend Kingsholme Conservatories as a highly competent company, offering excellent service and value for money, with whom it has been a pleasure to deal.
Colin has helped us throughout the process, and we were very pleased when he suggested another house in Harpenden that we could visit to see the quality of work before placing an order. We also thought your workmen on site were efficient, polite and customer focused.
We appreciated the low-key sales approach, and particularly valued the maturity and attitude of the people who worked on the conservatory.
The workmen were a pleasure to have, always polite and helpful. Mark, your no-pressure sales approach was a welcome change from the so called bigger companies.
My conservatory is much admired by all who see it and they comment on the high quality of the result. For me it is a daily joy. My thanks to you and I shall certainly recommend your company.
Now that the conservatory is finished Sarah and I would like to express our appreciation of the work that has been done. Back in the summer when we decided we would like to build, we had no idea who to go to and no local friends to make recommendations. We looked on the internet using words such as “bespoke, quality and individual” By chance we came across Kingsholme and then of course met with you.
We said that we did not wish to be involved with any sub contractors but that the entire job should be project managed by you. We also made it clear that we wanted a firm price for the job which would not change unless we altered the brief. You delivered on both counts.
From day one of the ground works until the final finishing touches were made recently all the people representing Kingsholme have been excellent. Skilled tidy workers, always polite and a pleasure to have around. Whilst the job was not always straightforward, i.e. the guttering which had to be specially made, there was no question of you cutting corners or compromising your quality standards.
We are delighted with the final result and especially pleased that we selected your company. Many thanks to all the team and particularly you Mark.
The whole process from our initial meeting with you through to works on site through to completion was undertaken in an extremely professional manner, resulting in an excellent conservatory design, a standard of work that is first class and undertaken by friendly/helpful operatives. The attention to detail was evident at all time.
The co-ordination of the different work disciplines was particularly impressive with the general disruption during construction kept to an absolute minimum and the site being keep clean and tidy throughout the course of the works.
Michelle and I wish to express our appreciation for the service provided by you/your company and cannot recommend you highly enough.
The whole experience from start to finish was very pleasant and professional. There was no pressure or haggling on prices, this was in total contrast to other propective suppliers. Mark gave us some excellent design suggestions. The overall quality of workmanship was also first rate.
We have been very happy with the service provided, please keep up the good work!
Very pleased with general workmanship and helpful construction staff. Would be pleased to recommend your company to other people. Greatly appreciated Mark’s design of conservatory, blends in well with rear of house.
Thank you for making it a relatively easy experience for us! As mentioned to you previously, we are very pleased with the results.
We are really pleased with the conservatory and we will certainly recommend you.
We are very pleased with the final product, which looks excellent. Mark’s approach throughout was honest and helpful, in direct contrast to the many other sales people from other companies who were clearly only interested in securing the sale.
The fantastic reviews I see here reflect the experience we have had with Kingsholme. It has been faultless from the first contact through to completion of our orangery. The technical information on the website gave me confidence that the product is outstanding, based on years of experience. All of the team were outstanding, highly experienced tradesmen. The final product is of the highest quality in terms of design, materials and construction. There was absolutely no ‘sales’ involved and during my first call, I was given a ballpark figure based on the size of the space; the final cost was only higher because we increased the size and there were no hidden surprises. The first design we received was exactly what we wanted (they ‘got it’) and the only tweak we made was around the size of a side window. Mark agreed to take on some additional work inside the house, opening up a supporting wall between our kitchen and old dining room. I had struggled to get anyone to take this on, so was greatful to him for doing it. This proved to be quite a challenge for the team based on how the original wall was constructed and took a few more days that expected, however they worked constantly in horrible conditions until it was done. We didn’t have a lot of time to get involved in the project and that wasn’t an issue in the end as everything was taken care for us. It’s rare to say this of a company – we have not had a single issue with Kingsholme. Thank you to everyone involved.
We would wholeheartedly recommend this company. Every member of the team were polite and helpful, from our initial site meeting through to completion of the project. We feel that they offered a very high standard of work at a fair price. The design is top end and certainly comparable with the companies that advertise in House and Garden Magazine and buildings that we have seen exhibited at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show. From the groundwork team through to the decorator, every member of the team were highly experienced and meticulous with every detail of the work that they did to create a stunning orangery for us.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for all your help, assistance and understanding. It has been a pleasure dealing with you and we are delighted with the end result. If you wish to use us as a reference we would be more than happy to recommend you/ Kingsholme to prospective clients.
Excellent throughout; friendly, courteous employees. Good to your word regarding all aspects of the build.
Thanks for a good job – we are very happy with the end result.
I’m very happy with the quality of work and materials, the finished conservatory is exactly what I wanted. I would be happy to recommend Kingsholme or provide a reference site.
All the workmen were helpful, efficient and trustworthy. The standard of work was excellent and we are very satisfied with the end result. We would have no hesitation in recommending your firm to friends and neighbours.
The attitude of everyone connected with the selling and building of the conservatory was very good, both to their jobs and to the customer. I would recommend Kingsholme to anyone I knew who were considering having a conservatory.
Many thanks for the support and advice during the problems with the neighbours and development company. I appreciated very much the care and effort given during my major stress-out times! Your calm and matter of fact approach was very reassuring.
I am very pleased with the result, thank you.
We are delighted with our orangery, thank you for all your hard work.
Thanks again to you and all the team for your efforts, we are exceptionally happy with the end result, it has truly made a big improvement to our living space and we look forward to spending some quality time in the new garden room for many years to come.
We would like to thank you [Mark] and Kingsholme for installing us a wonderful conservatory and paying great attention to detail.
Many thanks to Mark for his professional and courteous attention to all matters from planning permission, to the final successful outcome.
Many thanks for a super job that has been well done.
We are very pleased with our conservatory and would like to thank you and your team for the good workmanship, attention to detail, care and consideration that has been shown to our property and us and would be happy to recommend your company. We would be grateful if you could pass these sentiments on to those involved.
Thanks to you, [Mark] Dave and Ian for a great job, the conservatory is all I had hoped for.
We were very pleased with your service, and we are delighted with the result. Thank you for all that you have done.
Thanks for your help in everything, you have given us a very good service!.
A very workable solution to a difficult situation. Mark has been very diligent and has delivered what was proposed. A good job, many thanks.
Would not hesitate to recommend Kingsholme to anybody.
The job was very much to our satisfaction. Dave (fitter) is a good asset to Kingsholme.
Friendly and professional approach adopted by all staff, Dave and Ian demonstrated a particular pride in their work. Very happy with our new conservatory, we would recommend you to others.
Builders and glaziers were very professional and tidy, excellent job.
We were extremely pleased with the team that constructed the conservatory, they were especially polite and considerate to our needs regarding our dogs, and carried out their work in a very professional way. Your company is lucky to have them. All in all, we are very pleased with the end result.
All aspects of the total job seemed exceedingly well done. In particular I would mention the friendliness and extreme helpfulness of all those involved.
Fitters, workmen were all professional, polite and easy to communicate with. They took care to do a good job. We are very pleased with the conservatory and it is how we imagined it would be.
Our requirements have been met and we are very satisfied with the end product. Good supervision and communication with Mark throughout.
Excellent quality of work and people, many thanks!
Your staff were all excellent workers and very helpful. I am delighted with my new conservatory, which though small, does greatly enhance our living space.
We are very pleased with the conservatory and will have no hesitation in recommending you to all who admire it.
We have already recommended you to two other people, both of whom are having conservatories built by you. All the workmen were pleasant and polite, and got on well with the job. We are really pleased with the end result, and would have no hesitation in recommending you to anymore of our friends who are thinking of having a conservatory.
We are very pleased with our conservatory and patio, and would recommend Kingsholme to others
I am delighted with my conservatory and had my fist Sunday afternoon tea in it this weekend.
We have had lots of compliments on the standard of build, and so far are very pleased with conservatory.
We are very pleased with the final result. We would recommend Kingsholme to friends and would use your services again. The workmen were excellent.
We have been very impressed by the design and build overall. Seeing the design develop into a finished conservatory has been very satisfying.
All involved have been helpful, polite and tidy. Nothing was too much trouble and the level of service was very good.
Very good team of builders and installers; always helpful and courteous.
We wish to thank you and your team for carrying out a very good job, we are pleased with the result.
Overall the work was done to a very professional standard, particularly groundworks, foundations and finish (plastering, flooring, electrics and heating) Care was taken to keep things tidy and to clean up afterwards. Very satisfactory!
