From little acorns do huge oaks grow – that could be the business mantra of Durham Design partners Jill and Kevin Chatt.


Based in the North East as the name suggests, they have now orders for their sixth Orangery. So far they have completed three and have orders as a direct result of recommendations for another three.

Interestingly, their biggest ever project – two lantern style Orangery roofs – came as a direct result of a lead from a consumer visiting Ultraframe’s web site and finding Durham Design, who are members of the prestigious Ultra Installer scheme.

The secret of Durham Design’s success isn’t rocket science, as MD Kevin Chatt is happy to acknowledge; “ We have found a 100% strike rate each time we show a potential customer the Orangeries we have completed”.

Kevin and Jill were very pleased to be openly invited to participate in making the Ultraframe Orangery package even more complete – critiquing the elements and components through working on site with Ultraframe’s technical support engineers.

This direct and constructive feedback led to Ultraframe creating new tooling for the GRP ‘lead look a like’ flat roofing system. Essentially, Ultraframe supply the complete package above lintel height including insulated box gutter, breathable vapour barrier, slab insulation, posi-joists and cassette deck – and of course the glass lantern roof. All that isn’t supplied is the lead flashing ,plasterboard and quilt insulation ( neither is the bricks, mortar or copings!). Everything is cut and prepped and pre-built at Ultraframe’s factory before delivery to site – the product comes too with a comprehensive installation guide, something fitters have come to expect from the leading roof provider.

Summarized Kevin and Jill, “We appreciated Ultraframe partnering with us – other quality retailers should consider this package and give it a go, they won’t regret
it”.

View a copy of this article as it appeared in the press