What Is an Orangery Extension: Style and Function

Key Highlights

• An orangery extension gives you a strong, solid room that also has large windows. You get a bright living space with a feel that is more solid than a conservatory.
• Unlike a conservatory, an orangery extension normally has a flat roof. In the middle, there is a glass roof lantern that lets in a lot of natural light.
• An orangery is a great home extension. It works well as a kitchen, lounge, or dining room and links right into your garden.
• Most orangeries are covered by permitted development rights. You may not need planning permission to build one.
• This kind of extension gives your home significant value and year-round comfort.
• A modern orangery also has good energy savings and strong climate control thanks to clever design and great use of glass roof and walls.

Understanding Orangery Extensions in the UK

An orangery extension is like a mix of a brick room and a conservatory. It has solid brick pillars and large windows. On top, there is a flat roof with a glass roof lantern in the middle. This design makes the space feel open but also cosy. The glass roof lets light come in from above.

These glass structures started in the 17th century. At that time, people made them to keep citrus trees safe. Now, they give a stylish way for you to add space to your home. You need to know the rules for planning permission, but many orangeries can be built without a long or hard application process.

Orangery vs Conservatory: Key Differences Explained

Many people want to know the main difference between an orangery and a conservatory. Both of these bring more light into your home, but they are built in different ways. A conservatory is made mostly of glass. More than 75% of its roof and 50% of its walls are made with glass panels. This lets you feel close to the garden.

An orangery is different because it is more like a traditional extension. It uses solid walls with large windows. The roof is solid and flat, but it has a glass lantern in the middle. With this design, you get better insulation and feel like it is part of your home. The way it blends with your house makes it feel like it was always there. While modern conservatories are better now, the strong build of the orangery gives you more control over the inside temperature.

Here are the main differences when you look at this and a traditional extension:

Customising Your Orangery to Complement Your Home

Customisation is the perfect way to make your orangery feel like a real part of your main house. Glass structures you buy in stores do not offer the same options. An orangery gives you many ways to add elegant design features that look good with the main house. You can pick everything, from the brickwork to the window frames, so each part will fit with your home and what you like.

This level of customisation lets you make a space that truly feels like your own. You can match the brick or stone that is already at your place, or pick a colour for the window frames that looks good with it. The inside can also be finished just how you want. This helps every part of your house feel like it fits together well.

Consider these customisation options:

• Brickwork: Match the colour, feel, and style of the bricks to be like the ones already in your home.
• Framing: Pick between classic uPVC or new aluminium. Choose a colour that goes well with your house.
• Roof Cornice: Put on a lovely cornice at the top for that extra old-style feel.
• Doors: Go with bifold, sliding, or French doors to open up your space and link your home to the garden.

Expanding Living Spaces: Dining, Lounge, and Kitchen Options

An orangery is a great way to add flexible spaces in your home. It brings in a lot of light and feels solid at the same time. This is good for areas where people walk a lot. A lot of people like to use an orangery for an open plan kitchen and dining spot. In this setup, the roof lantern lets in daylight and lights up the work space and table in a nice way.

Orangery can be a calm lounge where you get to sit back and look at the views of your garden all day. This living space stays cozy in every season because it is made with insulated walls. You can put in a sofa bed and add some blinds. This way, the room can also work as a guest room when you need one.

Here are some good ideas for your new living space:

• Kitchen Space: Make your kitchen bigger. It will let in more natural light and be a bright, open place for the family.
• Dining Room: You can have dinner parties in a nice room. There will be a great view of the garden.
• Lounge: Set up a quiet second room to sit and relax. It will get lots of natural light.
• Home Office: Make a good place to work that feels fresh and gives you ideas. It will be away from the busy feel of the main house.

Flexible Year-Round Use and Comfort

Unlike old glass rooms that get too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter, a modern orangery gives you comfort all year. The solid walls and insulated roof help keep the heat in or out. With high-performance glass, it’s much easier to control the inside temperature. You can use it any time of the year.

To stay warm in the colder months, you can use an independent heating system like underfloor heating. It gives a gentle and steady heat. With this climate control, your orangery will feel good all year. It will be nice to use on sunny summer days and also feel warm on cold winter nights.

When it gets dark, good artificial lighting can change the feel of a place. You can put spotlights around the roof lantern. You can also add nice wall lights. These ideas can make the space feel warm and welcoming. The space can be used at night and in the day. This push for comfort helps it to be useful in many ways.

Orangery Benefits for Homeowners

Adding an orangery to your home gives you many great benefits. You get a nice and useful new space to use in your home. It can also help raise your property value. There will be more natural light in your house. This can change the feel of rooms next to it. Your whole home will feel brighter and more open.

Modern orangeries are made to be energy efficient. So, they will keep comfortable through the year, and you do not have to spend a lot on heating. This gives you significant value in several ways. Let’s look at these benefits next.

Boosting Property Value in Hampshire & Berkshire

A good and well-made orangery can give your home significant value. In places like Hampshire and Berkshire, homes can be hard to sell. A nice and useful addition like this can help your property look better to potential buyers. It is not like a regular conservatory. An orangery is seen as something more lasting and fancy. Some people say it can add as much value as building a full extension.

A well-built orangery can add good value to your property. Some say it can make your home worth 5% to 15% more. The extra living space is a big reason for this. It also looks nice and blends well with the rest of the house. Many people want a home with these features now.

If you want to know what adds the most value to your place, it is a good idea to talk to a local estate agent. They know what potential buyers want in your area. A local estate agent can tell you how an orangery may help your home stand out on the market.

Energy Efficiency and Natural Light Advantages

One of the best things about having an orangery is the way it brings a lot of natural light into your home. You get plenty of natural light because of the large windows and a glass roof lantern in the middle. This glass roof lets natural light spread around, not just in the orangery but also in the rooms next to it. This makes your home feel brighter and more friendly.

This extra light means you will not need as much artificial lighting during the day. This can help lower your energy bills. New glazing technology is also important for saving energy. High-performance glass keeps heat in during winter. It also reflects too much heat in the summer. This helps the room feel good and keeps your heating costs down.

The key advantages include:

• Reduced Energy Bills: You use less artificial lighting and better heating, so your energy bills go down.
• Year-Round Comfort: With modern glazing and insulation, your home can stay at a good temperature all year.
• Brighter Home: More natural light comes in and makes the whole ground floor feel nicer.
• Wellbeing: Getting natural daylight is good for your mood and can help you be more productive.

Planning Permission & Build Process in Berkshire

Getting to know the rules for home extensions can feel hard, but it does not have to be. A lot of the time, you can build an orangery under ‘permitted development’. This means you do not always need to get full planning permission. But you must make sure your build follows the rules for size and where it will go.

It is important to know about building regulations and permitted development rights before you begin. Each project is not the same. The rules can be different for listed buildings or houses that are in conservation areas. It is always a good idea to talk to your local planning authority in Berkshire or speak with a team that knows these things well before you start.

Typical Costs, Materials, and Long-Term Investment

When you think about the usual costs for an orangery, you need to remember a few things. You are paying for a top-quality, long-lasting structure. At first, you spend more money than you would for a standard conservatory. But in the long run, this is a good investment. It can add to your property value. You can use it all year. The biggest thing that affects the cost is the kind of materials you pick.

For example, aluminium frames that work well can cost more at first than uPVC. But they last longer and look more modern and stylish. Also, how hard it is to set up the base, what type of doors you pick, and how you finish the inside will all change how much you spend in the end. A small and simple design will be cheaper. A larger, special orangery with the newest features will cost more.

Here is a breakdown of common cost factors:

Sherborne Windows’ Full-Service Promise

We are a family company. We have been working in Hampshire and Berkshire for over 30 years. We know that building an extension is a big step for you. It can feel like a lot and take time. That is why we give you a full-service promise. We take care of the whole process. This starts with the first design and planning and goes all the way to the last bits like fitting and finishing. We want to make the whole thing smooth. We also want it to be as stress-free as possible for you.

We know the area well, so we understand the kinds of buildings here and what planning rules people have to follow. Unlike the companies that have nationwide showrooms, we keep our focus right here, on our local people. That is how we give you a friendly service with great work. This makes sure your new orangery will be just what you want.

Enhancing Spaces with Glazed Features

The magic of an orangery comes from the clever use of glass parts. The glass lantern in the center is the main highlight. It brings lots of light into the room. This makes the area feel open and bright. Even on days when the sky is cloudy, your new space will look bigger and feel uplifting, thanks to the glass lantern.

Large windows and doors are key to linking the room to your garden space. When you use floor-to-ceiling glass or big doors, more light gets into the room. You also get good views of your garden through them. This helps make the place feel calm and close to nature. You feel like you are outside, but you are still safe and comfortable indoors.

To get the best look with your glazed features, consider these:

• Bifold Doors: These doors fold all the way back. They let you open up a whole wall to your garden.
• Sliding Doors: There are large glass panels in these doors. The opening glides smoothly and gives you a clear view.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many people want to know the difference between an orangery and a conservatory. Both of these give you more living space, and both have a lot of glass to let in natural light. Orangery designs often come with solid walls and either a solid or glass roof. This helps keep the room warmer or cooler when you need it. A lot of potential buyers like what an orangery gives. It adds style to the main house and lets in lots of light.

If you are thinking about adding an orangery in Berkshire, you should ask your local planning authority about planning permission. The rules can change depending on the project, so make sure you check before you start building.

Can an orangery extension be used as a kitchen or open-plan space?

Yes. An orangery is a good home extension if you want an open plan kitchen. It has a strong structure. This can hold kitchen units and appliances well. The space gets lots of natural light. This makes the kitchen feel bright and warm. It is also the perfect way to add an extra room. This room can become the heart of your home.

How long does it take to build an orangery extension with Sherborne Windows?

The build process for an orangery usually takes a few weeks. The time needed will depend on the size, how complex it is, and if you need planning permission. At Sherborne Windows, we take care of the whole process. We start by planning and go all the way to installing it. We make sure the project is done well and on time from start to finish.

What are the main pros and cons of choosing an orangery extension?

The biggest benefits are that you can use it all year. It gives you more living space, with plenty of natural light. It also adds to your property value. The downside is that it costs more at first than a conservatory. The main difference is the solid build, which helps keep the heat in and makes the room feel more permanent.

Conclusion

To sum up, an orangery extension brings style and use together. It makes your home feel nicer and can also increase its value. When you learn about the design and the many good things like energy saving and being able to use it all year, you see these rooms can do a lot and feel warm and open. Sherborne Windows will help you at every stage. They make sure what you want matches their good work and local know-how. If you are thinking about getting an orangery extension, get in touch with us. We will give you advice and help. Let’s build a lovely space for you and your family.