1. Introduction
2. Structure
3. Sizes of ConservaTent
4. Have I got a place to put a ConservaTent?
5. Designing your ConservaTent
6. Decorating your ConservaTent
7. Erecting your ConservaTent
8. Technical Details
9. Design/Order Form

1. Introduction

ConservaTent is a fun and flexible way to make better use of your house and garden. Part tent, part conservatory, ConservaTent combines many of the attributes of both.

ConservaTent adds usable year-round, semi-permanent or temporary living space ideal for entertaining, eating, playing or just sitting and relaxing. It is constructed to be suitable to leave in place in most locations throughout the year; if however you want to use it just from the spring to autumn it can very easily be removed and stored away over the winter. Being a tented structure it is light and easy to erect which also enables you to put it up just for specific events or occasions. You can thus bring a party atmosphere to your house whenever you want for as long as you want.

Brought to you by Bond Fabrications, a leading manufacturer of marquees, ConservaTent’s construction is based on years of experience in designing and manufacturing structures which are stylish, easy to erect and durable.

ConservaTent is the subject of Patent Application No. GB0228726.6.   [Back to Top]

2. Structure

Manufactured from 45mm x 57mm extruded aluminium section, zinc plated steel fittings and reinforced structural PVC flame retardant fabric, ConservaTent employs the latest designs and ideas coming from the marquee contracting industry. Its modular design gives huge flexibility and the opportunity for you to design the ConservaTent to suit your exact needs and taste.

ConservaTent’s durable PVC fabric roof and wall panels can be white, coloured or striped. The roof can have a valance which is straight, scalloped or crenellated. It can have a plain edge or be edged in a colour or white - take your pick to create the exact effect you are seeking.

The walls incorporate our universally popular arched Georgian window or, if you wish for a particular window type (for example to match your house), it can be designed to your own specification. Door openings can be provided in both plain and windowed walls. Plain opening walls split in the middle with a zip and then can be drawn and tied back like curtains on both sides of the chosen entrance. Opening window walls are split with zips on both sides of the window. They can then be drawn and tied back to either side of the opening as desired, rolled up and tied under the valance or simply unzipped and removed completely. ConservaTent’s flexible modular design allows you to use it with the walls attached and closed, open (dependent on the panels used) or removed altogether. Thus in a few minutes you can convert the ConservaTent from a walled additional room in your house to an open-sided outside awning to keep the sun off you and your guests. The modular designs also enables you to position the window panels, opening panels or solid panels to suit your requirements and to change them around at will.

ConservaTent Georgian window seen from interior. [Back to Top]

3. Sizes of ConservaTent

ConservaTent can be made to measure and designed to the exact dimension and style you need. For most people however the standard range with its wide variety of size combinations, styles and colours will represent the best solution.

ConservaTent is made in two standard modular sizes of 3m or 4m span with a 1.5m or 2.0m bay length (see diagrams in section 8). With its characteristic half hexagon end (‘Hex-end’) and one standard bay the 3m version will add another 7.4 square metres (80 square feet) to your living space while the 4m version will give you another 13.2 square metres (142 square feet).

Additional bays can be added to increase the length of your ConservaTent to fit your needs and the space available. On a 3m span tent each additional bay adds 4.5 square metres (48 square feet) while on the 4 metre span another bay gives 8 square metres (86 square feet) more floor area.

If your requirements do not fit one of our standard modular designs as described above then just contact us to discuss your specific needs and we may well be able to design a bespoke ConservaTent for you.   [Back to Top]

4. Have I got a place to put a ConservaTent?

The answer is probably yes. All you need is a reasonably flat piece of ground adjoining your house (some slope – 3-5% can be accommodated due to ConservaTent’s adjustable legs), and a space on your wall to accommodate the A-frame (unless of course you wish to use the ConservaTent as a standalone structure).

Being a tent, ConservaTent can be erected on almost all surfaces including paving stones, concrete or grass. ConservaTent can either adjoin your house fitting ideally over a door to your garden or attach to a garden wall to make an attractive and stylish summer house. If you want to create a stand-alone ConservaTent you can join two ‘Hex-ends’ to make a perfectly hexagonal stand-alone structure or with two ‘Hex-ends’ joined together and a straight bay a longer ‘oval’ shape can be achieved. In this case you just need a clear area of ground the size of the floor area of the ConservaTent you have chosen.

3m span stand-alone ConservaTent viewed from one of the two ‘Hex-ends’.

As it generally counts as a ‘removable’ structure in most cases you will not need planning permission to erect a ConservaTent. If in any doubt however we would advise you to seek advice from your local planning authority.   [Back to Top]

5. Designing your ConservaTent

ConservaTent is modular and flexible. You can take a ‘standard’ ConservaTent and tailor it to your exact wishes and needs. The number of potential variations is enormous. Our design form will take you through the various options but you might find the steps below are a helpful guide.

The first step is to decide on the size and position of your ConservaTent. Clearly this will be governed by whether you want to attach it to a wall or have it standing alone. If you are attaching it to a wall then you need to check there is space for the A-frame (dimensions given in section 8) and which span of A-frame (3m or 4m) will fit best and give you the desired amount of additional space. If you are not sure about which span to choose just telephone our advice line (01453 767295). Having decided on the span you then need to decide how long you want your ConservaTent to be. The standard tent comes with the traditional 'Hex-End' plus one straight-sided bay. If you want your tent to be longer just add an additional bay (or two). You have now determined the floor area and basic structure of your ConservaTent.

3m span ConservaTent with Georgian windows in ‘Hex-end’, plain walls in straight bay and striped roof with scalloped valance.

The next step is to decide on how many windows and door openings you want and where they should be positioned. If in doubt about the positioning do not worry too much because the modular design enables you to change the walls around at will. Our experience is that the 'Hex-End' looks best with three window sections. For this reason our standard ConservaTents are offered with three window walls (one of which also opens) and two plain walls which would normally be used in the straight sided bay.

You might well decide that you would like all the panels to contain windows or that you want additional openings from your ConservaTent to the garden. Just pick and mix to meet your requirements!

You may want to personalise your ConservaTent further by giving it a coloured or striped roof or indeed having the whole ConservaTent coloured or striped. Further interest can be added by selecting a shaped valance (the 'skirt' around the bottom of the roof which covers the tops of the walls) which can then be edged in a contrasting colour.

Our design form will help you to work through the list of options to create a truly individual ConservaTent exactly to your personal taste.   [Back to Top]

6. Decorating your ConservaTent

Your ConservaTent is designed to look good in its unlined state and can  be used entirely satisfactorily in this way. However if you want to  create more of a formal or party atmosphere we offer a wide range of  fabrics from which we produce marquee style gathered roof linings, wall linings and leg covers. If you want to choose a lining please select  your requirements in the same way as for the ConservaTent structure.

The 'standard' lining is made in two-ounce ivory fabric and consists of  a pleated roof lining, a plain valance and six leg covers. The roof  lining attaches easily and simply to the ConservaTent frame with lining  ties. The valance is a plain piece of fabric which acts as a pelmet and  is fixed around the bottom of the roof lining with velcro. We offer  swagged valances as well which are fuller and gathered in the middle to  create a more decorative effect. Leg covers fix behind the valance with  velcro and hang down over the legs of the ConservaTent with a tie back,  thus creating the effect of curtains drawn back at either side of the  windows. Window walls cannot be lined. Plain walls may have a wall  lining if you wish but this is not essential. Ivory is our standard colour as it will co-ordinate with whatever  colour of furniture and other decoration you may want to put in your  ConservaTent.

3m span ConservaTent with ivory roof  lining, contrasting blue swagged valance and leg-covers.

A very effective way of introducing colour to the lining  is to select coloured valances and contrasting leg covers (consisting  of a gathered ivory strip hanging against a wider band of gathered material in your chosen colour).

This creates a stunning effect and enables the lining to be tied in with the colour of your furniture, lampshades etc without being overpowering. If however you want a completely coloured lining we can use one of our coloured fabrics or, if you have a particular fabric you wish us to use, we can make it up into linings of the design of your choice.   [Back to Top]

7. Erecting your ConservaTent

If you wish to erect the ConservaTent against a wall you need to check that there is a clear area of the dimension of the A-frame (see diagram in section 8) to which the structure maybe secured and a sufficient ground area for the floor area of the tent. If the wall has sufficient clear area then any door from the house into the ConservaTent should automatically have room to open.

ConservaTent is supplied with an A-frame that will attach to any wall capable of securely taking six 8mm rawlbolts (not provided). The wall needs to be reasonably perpendicular (most house walls will be entirely adequate unless very noticeably out of alignment). The walls should also be reasonably smooth – ConservaTent connecting frames come with a flexible rubber seal attached which will form a watertight join against most dressed stone, brick or smooth rendered walls. If your house is natural stone or rough rendered you may require additional sealing strip or sealant – in this case please contact us for further advice.

The feet of the ConservaTent are designed to be secured either by conventional 24 inch tent stakes (available if required) into grass or by 8mm rawlbolts (not provided) into concrete or paving stones.

ConservaTent is designed to be lightweight and easy for you to erect.

Our experience is that once the fixing holes have been drilled the tent can comfortably be erected and secured within three hours by one person (with two people being ideal, but not essential, to lift it onto its legs and to fit the walls). You only require a masonry drill, hammer and 17mm spanner and suitable bolts for wall and ground fixings. If securing on grass you will also need a sledge hammer to drive in the ground stakes (available for purchase separately). We will supply the rest including an Allen key to secure the specially designed joint fittings.

ConservaTent is designed to be used on a patio area without any flooring and also may be used this way temporarily on grass. If however you want to make it more permanent or wish to put down a carpet you may like to put a floor into your ConservaTent. If you need further advice on this please contact us.   [Back to Top]

8. Technical Details (Standard ConservaTents)

A-Frame Dimensions

Click here to view the A-frame dimensions and plan view.   [Back to Top]

9. Design / Order Form

Please note that the form works on the basis of a standard ConservaTent (for attaching to a wall) or a full hexagon (for a stand-alone structure). The standard ConservaTent consists of one ‘Hex-end’, one straight sided bay, a white roof with a plain straight edged valance, two plain walls, two window walls and an opening window wall. The stand-alone hexagon consists of a white roof with a plain valance, three window walls, two plain walls and a plain opening wall. The standard lining consists of a pleated ivory roof, plain valance and six ivory leg covers.

Choose whether you want a stand-alone or attached version and select the span width you require. You can then modify the standard design by adding extra bays to increase the size, incorporating additional windows or coloured and striped roofs with more elaborate valances as you wish. The form on this web site will automatically add the price of the additional features to your chosen standard tent and compute the total price of your desired ConservaTent.

Click here to go to the order form.