CRESTING & FINIALS

Crestings and Finials are the decorative architectural devices seen on the roof of a conservatory. The finial is the pointed feature at the front of the apex and the cresting is the piece running along the ridge of the roof. These features usually sit on the roof capping.

Historically in architecture the cresting was used as a decorative feature to lead the eye skyward, although they had a more practical use in stopping birds perching on the roof and relieving themselves on it! Whilst this appears unimportant on the tiled roof of a house, it does seem a useful feature on a conservatory with a glass roof, although we cannot guarantee that it will necessarily work.

The finial also used to function as a lightning rod and this detail has simply passed into being used as an architectural flourish. As an ornamental item the finial can be lathe turned from a solid piece of wood to match the wood used in your conservatory, or an off-the-shelf item cast in aluminium or moulded plastic.

CRESTING & FINIAL DESIGNS

The Victorians were obsessed with architectural details, so on a Victorian Conservatory crestings and finials are usually incorporated into the design and the same is true with other traditionally designed conservatories. If you have a modern conservatory you can opt to dispense with the finial and cresting or have a minimalist cresting as a finishing touch.

Crestings, like finials are made either from cast aluminium or moulded plastic. The aluminium varieties are often finished with a polyester powder coating and this leaves a resilient surface finish that can often be guaranteed for up to 10 years depending on the price you are prepared to pay and the supplier.

The moulded plastic variety can look equally good and may save you some money. Both types are available in a variety of colours to match the exterior paintwork of your conservatory.

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