Conservatory vs Orangery: Key Differences and Which is Right for Your Home

That’s why we manage your entire project, including building, installation and electrics, with minimum disruption. We’ll then provide a design and quotation tailored for you. We offer a complimentary design service, where one of our experienced designers will discuss your project with you. Our buildings are Joinery built and beautifully finished in your choice of colour. One of our designers will help bring your vision to life.

History of glasshouses, orangeries and garden sheds

  • Orangeries generally cost 20–40% more than traditional conservatories due to their brick-built bases, solid roofing sections, and architectural detailing.
  • As such, having an orangery was initially something of a status symbol and an indication of great wealth.
  • The walls of a conservatory characteristically comprise panels of glazing, whereas an orangery’s walls balance brickwork and glazing.
  • Combining a kitchen and an orangery is great option if you’re considering replacing a conservatory with an extension as it bring light further into the existing floorplan and provides an opportunity to revive tired interiors.

The good news is that either could provide you with an elegant light-filled room with great garden views. Wondering about the difference between conservatories and orangeries? If you’re ready to start crafting your orangery extension, then speak to our team. Our design consultants take the hard work off your shoulders, supporting you with your design and helping you nurture your new structure into existence. However, there are no rules to abide by when designing your new space. You can read more about the differences between an orangery and a conservatory here.

Small projects in towns and cities

Historically, orangeries and conservatories have always been the epitome of luxury. We work with individual homeowners, businesses, architects and specifiers to deliver projects that add unparalleled space, light and appeal to any building. We combine over 30+ years of combined experience with sustainable, eco friendly materials that are carefully selected before they go into an orangery or conservatory build.

Preserving Elegance: Slate Roof Conservatory

More windows on the sides and a more highly glazed roof make a conservatory interior more intimately linked with the garden, and also mean more daylight will reach the room. An orangery is characterised by its roof style – they’re usually housed by a glazed lantern incorporated within a flat or mansard roof space. ’A very simple differentiation is that a conservatory has the majority of its roof glazed, whereas an orangery tends to have a solid perimeter roof with roof lanterns to allow light in.’

Link indoor and outdoor spaces with clever tricks

With thoughtful design and good planning, an orangery can grow into the heart of the home. An orangery extension adds more than space. An orangery keeps heat better because of solid walls and an insulated roof.

Orangery and Conservatory Trends

In the end, getting a conservatory has lots of advantages. You can see your garden and enjoy the outdoors without leaving home. A conservatory lets you feel close to nature. You can choose how your conservatory looks. Conservatories are great for letting in lots of sunlight. Let’s look at the top reasons to get a conservatory.

However, if you live in a bigger house, you can have conservatories designed bespoke to fit your available space. A stark difference visually from our Glass Roof, our Livinroof is a solid alternative to the traditional glass roof option. Orangeries blend the light and openness of a conservatory with the warmth and permanence of a traditional extension. The term ‘orangery’ dates back to the 17th century, when wealthy European households built grand glazed structures to house exotic plants — especially orange trees.

Comparing Orangeries and Conservatories

Orangeries, by their design, offer different qualities to conservatories that makes them a more long-lasting feature and one that will typically add as much value to a house as an extension. Weigh up the differences and benefits of an orangery vs conservatory with this quick guide comparing the two for a light and bright space That said, orangeries and conservatories do allow more natural light into the home which ultimately requires you to use less artificial light and, as a result, you save on the electricity bills! A stunning orangery or conservatory can provide extra space, more natural light and, perhaps even, a more open plan feel.

But, while traditional orangeries found a broader role as a growing space for any tender and exotic plant, the name stuck. Orangeries are usually built using more liverpool conservatory brickwork than conservatories, and typically have a glass roof. At Quarry Bank there were separate spaces for the potting shed, the tools, the storage of produce and seeds and the growth of mushrooms; there was also a boiler house, a bothy for gardeners, the head gardener’s office and even a privy. No show can be put on without backup – every garden in our care, large or small, would have had garden sheds supporting the glasshouses. Ultimately, glass and steel skyscrapers of modern cityscapes owe their existence to the early 19th-century developments around glasshouses like Quarry Bank’s. The curvilinear structure is of huge significance in the history of both glasshouses and architecture more widely.

Glass box extension inspiration and sunroom ideas are also helpful when searching for the best route towards a sunny living space. "Whether to add a conservatory or orangery to your home will depend very much on the architectural style and detail of your home," advises Lisa Morton, director at Vale Garden Houses. Orangery vs conservatory — it’s an important comparison to draw when looking to add a spot of extra space, one that is bathed in light, to your home. This means that an orangery or conservatory is generally a good financial investment since, potentially, it can help you earn more money for your property. If conservatories and orangeries are not installed properly and the materials are inferior then with time your home will not retain heat but lose heat, resulting in higher energy bills.

Whether you want a dream open plan kitchen, extra living or playroom, or simply a relaxing space with a view of your garden, you’ll find what you’re looking for at your local Conservatory Outlet Premium Retailer. Thinking of replacing your windows & doors or investing in a brand-new conservatory or home extension? Designed to maximise natural light, conservatories provide a bright and airy space ideal for relaxation, entertaining, or even as a home office. Deposits start from £249 for windows and doors (excluding timber windows and doors which start from £999), Rooftrim and garage doors, or £999 for living spaces. It’s a common question – you want to add more living space but you already have a conservatory.

Do you want to learn more about conservatories and orangeries? Pricing depends on the size, the design, and the materials used. This is because these designs were often a protest against the ornate Victorian style that came before. Georgian orangeries are visually very similar to the Victorian style. Victorian orangeries, like the architecture and interiors of the time, are very ornate and complex, with decorative features such as mouldings and glass decorations.