Would you love to add an orangery to your home but are worried about the amount of work needed?
If yes, then we can help you.
As experts in all things relating to modern orangeries and conservatories, we can tell you everything you need to know about the foundation requirements for an orangery in the UK. If you want to know why foundations are essential and which type you need for your property, we can help.
Do orangeries need foundations?
The simple answer to this is yes. Suppose you are looking to build an orangery. In that case, you need to ensure you have the right foundations so that the structure is supported correctly and that the weight of the orangery is evenly distributed.
The specific type of foundation you need for your orangery conservatory will depend on the type of soil you have on your property.
What are the different types of foundations for orangeries?
Strip foundations
Strip foundations, which are sometimes referred to as strip footings, are best for subsoils with appropriate bearing capacity.
Strip foundations are usually 450mm wide and 1000mm deep, but they can be bigger if needed.
Once this type of foundation has been laid, you need to wait only 24 hours before you can build your orangery on it.
Raft foundations
Raft foundations are recommended for ground that has underlying issues and a strip foundation cannot support that.
A raft or slab of concrete is poured into the ground and should cover the entire footprint of your orangery.
Typically raft foundations are quicker to carry out than strip foundations, but they are usually only used when excessive settlement is likely or where major excavation would be needed to lay a strip foundation.
Pile foundations
Pile foundations are typically used when foundations deeper than 1.8m are needed for an orangery. These are usually required when the soil is heavily impacted or tree roots are likely to cause ground heave.
There are several different ways to install pile foundations, including the “caps and beams” method that involves driving the piles into the ground in a line, with the cap at the surface. This cap is then bound to two other piles and reinforced with concrete to create a beam.
How deep do your orangery foundations need to be?
The exact depth needed for the foundations for your orangery conservatory will be dependent on a number of factors, including the type of soil you have in your garden.
Generally, hard ground requires at least 600mm, and soft ground needs between 1000-1500mm.
The depth of foundation that your orangery needs will affect the overall construction cost, but a solid foundation is required if you want your orangery to last.
Do you need more help or advice on foundation requirements for your orangery conservatory? Get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team, who will be only too happy to answer any questions you may have.
