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Conservatory Jargon Explained

The definitive guide to common terms used in the design and installation of conservatories.

For over 20 years now Ultraframe has been the acknowledged market leader in the design and manufacture of conservatory roof systems. With over one million Ultraframe roofs already installed throughout the UK, the pedigree and quality offered by our roof systems is second to none. During this time Ultraframe have developed a widely recognised set of guidelines by which conservatory roofs are designed, speciﬁed, ordered and installed.

Ultraframe have complied this manual to explain and translate much of the jargon used in the conservatory industry. We have listed many of the commonplace words and terms used daily in connection with conservatory design and installation.

Each reference includes a list of possible alternative words (“also known as”), a full description of the product/component and a full colour picture, where appropriate, to illustrate its relevance.

To find the explanation for your jargon term just browse the terms alphabetically below or Search Our Site.

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Dead zone

Also known as: Off limits

A dead zone refers to a restricted area of the conservatory roof where glazing bars cannot be fixed.

Deeplas white

Also known as: Blue

'Deeplas' is the brand name for blue-white as manufactured by Deceuninck (for its PVC windows), the first company to have blue white. Main other blue-white is produced by Duraflex for its PVC frames.

Dentil Moulding

Also known as: Castleations

Decorative, cobbled trim placed between eaves and window frames.

Dessicant

Also known as: Molecular sieve

Dessicant refers to a small absorption beads that collect moisture. These are placed inside the spacer bar of a double glazed unit to prevent the unit 'misting' with condensation.

DGU's

Also known as: Double glazed unit, Sealed unit, Double glazing, Insulated glass unit (IGU)

A DGU is the term used when two panes of glass are kept apart by a spacer bar and are usually filled with air or argon gas.

Double Drip

Also known as: Twin drop

2 vertical tie bar rods, equally spaced, either side of ridge.

DPC

Also known as: Damp proof course

A damp proof course is placed between brick courses at the internal floor level. The external ground level should usually be two bricks below the DPC.

DPM

Also known as: Damp proof membrane, Visqueen

DPM is the term used for a large sheet of Visqueen (plastic sheeting) that sits under a concrete slab to prevent ground moisture entering the conservatory.

Drill & Fix

Also known as: Screw Fix

Flexible outlet position, can be placed in awkward location.

Dropped ridge

Also known as: Lowered valley, drop valley

A dropped ridge features in a P-shape conservatory where the half ridge is below the level of the main ridge. Usually used to avoid obstructions on the host wall (see photo).

Dry line

Also known as:

House wall studded out then plasterboard attached to face (avoids wet trades).

Duo pitch

Also known as: Gable style roof

A conservatory is described as duo pitch when there are two slopes with a central ridge; e.g. Gable style roof

Dwarf wall

Also known as: Knee wall

A dwarf wall is the wall under the window frames on a conservatory, usually placed at 450mm or 600mm high.

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