Choose a well-crafted wooden conservatory with an unpainted or natural finish to bring light-filled, airy living space into your home. Many types of wood are used in building a conservatory and some can be easily stained to fit the style of your home and its surroundings. Use modern durable woods and provide a variety of choices of roof, tiles, wooden panels or solid paneling roof.

It is also a good idea to choose a wood type that is suitable for being raised on its own, as many people do with wooden conservatories. However, if you are looking for a low maintenance outdoor conservatory it is not necessary to raise your conservatory. Wooden conservatories tend to be more expensive than traditional ones and you will find that a conservatory in an old-fashioned style will still look good even after several years. If you are replacing a traditional conservatory, be sure to look at older models to get an idea of the styles they used and the materials used.

Some wooden conservatories are unfinished wooden conservatories, which means you will have to paint the wood yourself. This will give you the opportunity to have a lot more control over the colour scheme than if you were to buy a ready-made kit. You can choose from dark wood finishes, soft woods, light colours or even a combination of colours. Wood may require a little more maintenance than other materials, so it is important to decide what level of maintenance is required before beginning the project.

The type of timber used in building wooden conservatories should be treated with preservatives to prevent rotting, but it is essential that the wood is treated correctly to avoid damage occurring. Some finishes, such as varnish, are designed to resist staining, but this will take longer to achieve and you may find your conservatory has a different shade of stain.

Wood may also warp when left outdoors all year round conservatories, so it is a good idea to treat it with an anti-warping varnish. Most companies produce a variety of finishes and some of them are stronger and can be applied by hand to the wood, while others are available in kits and can be applied by professional conservatories installers. These should be used at least once every ten years, but more regularly if possible to prevent any damage from happening. Also check that your wooden conservatory has adequate drainage to avoid standing water collecting and allowing mould to form.

When choosing the type of timber to use in your conservatory, remember that timbers that are naturally oily will expand and contract with the weather. If you are planning to use this type of wood, you should consider a timber that can cope with this, as it is much more durable. In addition to treating wood with preservatives, it will be best to take a look at what types of other treatments it is exposed to as some treatments will cause warping and cracking.