Orangery vs Conservatory Difference: Key Features Explained

Key Highlights

• The main difference between an orangery and a conservatory is how much wall and glass there is. Orangeries usually have more bricks built in.
• An orangery is a mix between a normal home extension and a conservatory. It will often have a flat roof with a glass lantern on top.
• A conservatory is made mostly of glass. This brings in a lot of natural light and lets you get wide views of your garden.
• Both extension styles, like an orangery or a conservatory, can be covered by permitted development rights. But you have to know the exact development rights rules for each one.
• Orangeries usually have better insulation because their brick pillars are solid. They feel more like a real part of your original house.

Are you thinking about how to add more space and light in your home? A home extension can help with that. It can change how you and your family live every day. The style you pick is very important. Many people choose a new orangery or a classic conservatory for a fresh feel. A conservatory and an orangery may seem the same at first. But, there are clear things that make each one special. A new orangery is a good choice for some homes. A conservatory can be the right one for others. When you know what makes them different, you can choose what will work best for you, your life, and your home.

Understanding Orangeries and Conservatories

Before you choose your new extension, you should know how an orangery is different from a conservatory. They each have their own story and main use. This can affect which one works better with a new build or with traditional homes.

Knowing the differences is the first thing to do when thinking about a new space for your house. If your house is a listed building or you want to make it bigger, you will have to pick between a conservatory and an orangery. This choice will make your home look and feel different.

Definitions and Historical Background

A long time ago, rich people used to make orangeries so they could keep their citrus trees safe when the weather got cold. The old look of orangeries shows this history. They often look more strong and solid compared to a conservatory. Orangeries feel like they are both a building addition and a conservatory at the same time. The walls are usually made of brick or stone, and they have large windows.

The main difference between an orangery and a conservatory comes down to how each one is built.

A conservatory has a glass roof that covers at least 75% of the roof. It also has glass walls. These glass walls make up at least half of the total wall area.

But an orangery has a solid flat roof with a glass lantern on top. There is less glass in its walls compared to a conservatory. This makes an orangery feel more like a natural extension of your original house.

This change in the way they are built means orangeries are often chosen for traditional homes. People also use them in places that are in national parks. The way orangeries look can fit in well with many old buildings.

Common Uses in UK Homes

Many homeowners like to think about how they will use the new space before picking between these two ideas. The right choice can change the floorplan of your house. It can also change how you use your outside spaces. A lot of householders want a space that is useful, looks nice, and can add worth to their home.

An orangery can add more value to your home than a conservatory. This is because it is built with strong materials and looks like it is part of your house. With an orangery, you may see your property value go up by about 5-15%. A good conservatory is also a smart way to spend your money. The orangery and the conservatory both give you extra living space, and many people want that.

Common uses for these extensions include:

• A dining room or kitchen that is made bigger can help you see the views of your garden.
• A relaxing living area will keep you warm and comfortable in the winter months.
• A bright home office or a playroom for kids.

Key Design Features of an Orangery

An orangery is made with strong brick walls and big areas of glass. The walls often match the ones in the main house, so the space feels part of it and strong. A key thing about an orangery is the tall windows. These windows let in much light, so the room feels open and bright.

The roof lanterns on the flat roof and the decorative cornice are the most noticeable things here. These parts give the room a special feel. It looks big but also warm. This is what sets it apart from other extension styles.

Brickwork, Roof Lanterns, and Windows

The way you build an orangery is not like building a conservatory. The big thing that makes it different is the brickwork. An orangery has brick pillars and short brick walls. This helps it look solid and strong. It feels more like you add a new room to the house, while a glass conservatory looks lighter.

The roof is what makes an orangery different from other rooms. Most orangeries do not have a glazed roof. A normal orangery will have a flat roof. This roof may have one or more roof lanterns. A roof lantern is made from glass. It sits on top of the roof and lets in lots of natural light. A roof lantern also looks great and grabs attention. You get good natural light, but you can still feel that the building is strong.

Key features often include:

• There is strong brickwork that looks like the rest of your home.
• The tall windows are big and let in a lot of light. They help to make the space feel open.
• A flat, smart roof comes with one or more glass roof lanterns on top.

Natural Light and Privacy Considerations

An orangery does not use as much glass as a conservatory. But, it is built to let in a lot of natural light. The tall windows and the main roof lantern help make the room feel wide and bright. You are not fully on view, but you get good light. This gives you the feel of a closed space. At the same time, you still enjoy being in a bright area.

This strong build gives you more privacy than a conservatory that uses a lot of glass. The brick pillars and large wall parts help keep other people from looking in. Because of this, the space feels more private and calm. It is a good place for a living room or dining area. When it comes to keeping the heat in, the orangery is usually better than the conservatory.

The extra brickwork and the insulated flat roof help make the room feel warmer when it gets cold and keep it cooler when the sun is out. A lot of orangeries are linked to your home’s central heating. But you can also get an independent heating system if you want.

Key Design Features of a Conservatory

A conservatory lets you feel close to the outdoors, even when you are inside your home. It uses a lot of glass to make this happen. The glass roof and glass walls bring in a lot of sunlight, so the room feels bright. You get clear views of your garden with nothing in the way.

There are many extension styles that you can choose from. Some of these are Victorian and some are modern lean-to. A conservatory is good if you want to add a bright and sunny room to your house. With large windows, you can feel closer to the outdoors even while you stay inside.

Glass Structure and Roofing Styles

The main thing that sets a conservatory apart is the amount of glass used to build it. A conservatory should have at least 75% of the roof and 50% of the walls made of glass. This amount of glass helps a lot of light come in, making the space feel bright and open.

A glass roof has always been popular. Now, you can go with solid roofs or tiled roofs too. These can help you keep more heat in the room and cut down on heat loss. The roof you pick could change if your place is still called a conservatory when people look at planning rules.

Can you use an orangery or a conservatory all year? Yes, you can. It just needs some good planning.

A conservatory with a glass roof can get very hot in summer. It can feel cold in winter, too. Homeowners can fix this by using solar control glass. Good air flow helps make it feel better. A strong heating system can also keep the space warm all year.

Connection to Outdoor Spaces

One thing people like about a conservatory is the way it can bring the feel of the outside into your home. A conservatory has large windows and lots of glass. This means you get great views of your garden from inside. You feel close to nature, even when you are indoors. No matter the weather, a conservatory is a good place to sit and look at your garden.

Even a small extension set up as a conservatory can help your house feel closer to the outside. A new home might look good with an orangery or with a conservatory. Both of these styles match different tastes. But many people feel that a modern lean-to conservatory, with its simple shapes and clean look, is right for the homes we see today.

Consider these points to help you feel closer to the outdoors:

• You can use bi-fold or sliding doors. These can help you make a wide and open way to your patio or garden.
• Put the conservatory in a place where it gets the best views.
• A calm and well-planned conservatory can still look good in a conservation area.

Structural Differences: Orangery vs Conservatory

The main difference between these home extensions is in how they are built. The most important thing is the wall-to-glass ratio. This ratio changes how the place will look. It also changes how your home extension is listed for building regulations and planning.

An orangery uses less glass in the overall wall area and the overall roof area than a conservatory. When you know about this big difference in the total wall area and how the roof is built, you can make a better choice for your home. This helps you find what is good for you and your needs.

Wall-to-Glass Ratio Explained

The wall-to-glass ratio helps you see what makes a conservatory and an orangery different. A conservatory has glass on at least half of the total wall area. In the case of an orangery, the amount of glass in the walls is less than half of the total wall area. Most of the other parts of the walls in an orangery are made from brick or stone.

The way an orangery is built makes it feel more like a strong room or an extra part of your house. A conservatory, on the other hand, feels more like you are in a sunroom. So, what makes the structure of an orangery not the same as a conservatory? The answer is in the mix of building parts that are used. This mix can change the feel that you get when you are in the space. It can also make a big difference for things like insulation and privacy. A good mix can help the new space look right with a listed building or an old style home.

Here is an easy explanation of the key ratios:

Roofing Construction and Materials

Another big change in how a conservatory is built is the roof. A conservatory often has a glass roof that goes up at a steep angle. This helps bring more sunlight into the room. A glass roof is good because it lets in a lot of light. But, it can also make the room feel too hot at some times and too cold at other times. Now, people also use solid roofs or roofs made with polycarbonate. This helps the room feel better during the year and helps to use less energy.

An orangery has a strong, flat roof with one or more glass roof lanterns. This design lets in natural light where you need it. The roof keeps heat in, much like a regular roof. If you want to know if an orangery or a conservatory has better insulation, you should know that the roof on the orangery will usually be better for holding in heat than the roof on a conservatory.

Common roofing materials and styles include:

• Conservatories: These rooms can have sloped glass roofs, polycarbonate panels, or solid roofs.
• Orangeries: The flat roof goes all the way around the sides, and there is a glass roof in the middle.
• Both: You can choose special glass. It helps keep out extra heat and lowers heat loss.

Planning Permission & Building Regulations

Before you start any work to build, you should think about planning permission and building regulations. Many orangeries and conservatories can be made under permitted development rights. If you use these rights, you may not need full planning permission. But, you must follow several rules and limits to be sure your development rights cover what you want to do.

It is important to do this the right way. If you make mistakes, it can cost you money. Many times, you need to get building consent, even if you do not need planning permission. This is common when you want to build an orangery. A company that is part of a competent person scheme can help you with all of this. This way, you follow all the legal rules without any trouble.

Rules for Orangeries

For planning purposes, an orangery is seen as a one-floor add-on to the house. Most of the time, you can build an orangery without asking for planning permission. You have to make sure it follows your permitted development rights. These development rights tell you the width, height, and place where your orangery can be next to your original house.

However, orangeries often need building consent. This is because an orangery is open to the rest of the house and shares the same heating. A conservatory does not always need this. Building regulations look at many things. These cover the strength of the structure, how warm it stays, and how the air moves.

Are there different planning permission needs for an orangery compared to a conservatory? Yes, there are a few different rules, mostly because of how building regulations work for each one.

If the previous owner has changed the property, this can lower your permitted development allowance. It is a good idea to check the history of your home. You need to talk to an expert before you do any work. If you do not get the right approvals, you could have big problems later.

Rules for Conservatories

A conservatory can get an exemption from building regulations if it follows a few rules. The conservatory should be separated from the house by strong outside doors, have its own heating, and not be too big. But, you still need planning permission for a conservatory that falls under permitted development.

Are the planning permission rules the same for an orangery and a conservatory? The rules for permitted development usually match for both. But a conservatory gets some building rule exemptions. This makes the rules for an orangery and a conservatory different. If your new build is going to be more than 50% of your garden, you must get planning permission.

Be aware of these additional rules:

• There are tougher rules if you are in a conservation area, National Park, or World Heritage Site.
• You are not allowed to build your extension in front of the main part of your house.
• Always talk to your local planning office about what you have to do before you start any work.

Conclusion

To sum up, it is good for homeowners to know the differences between a conservatory and an orangery when you want to make your home better. Each one has its own style and use, so you can pick what works best for you. A conservatory gives a modern feel, but an orangery brings a bit of old style charm. Knowing what makes each one different will help you choose the right one. A new space like this can make your home cost more and also make everyday life feel nicer. If you want help with this choice, you can ask for more facts or advice. The right fit for your home might be out there, waiting for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which style adds more value to a UK home?

Both extension styles can make your home worth more. But if you pick an orangery, it will often be higher in value. A new orangery has a stronger way of being built. It makes it feel like the original house. Homeowners can see their home’s price go up by as much as 15%. A new orangery is a big thing to pay for, but it helps the property look better and feel like a real part of your home.

Are orangeries more expensive than conservatories?

Yes, the price for a new orangery is often more than a conservatory of the same size. This is because an orangery may need things like brickwork, a flat roof, and plastering. You also have to pay more for some extra parts and the work done on it. The best way to know the cost is to get quotes from good installers, like Everest.

Can you use both spaces throughout the year?

Yes, you can use both the orangery and conservatory all year if you set them up the right way. The orangery has better insulation, so it will be warmer. This makes it feel nice and cozy by nature. A conservatory can feel good during the winter months if you use high-performance glazing. You should also set up proper ventilation and have an independent heating system. These things help stop heat loss and keep the space warm, even when it is cold outside.