If you’re looking to add extra space to your home, you’ve probably come across the terms orangery and conservatory. While they may seem similar at first glance, key differences in design, structure, and functionality set them apart.
Let’s explore the differences between orangeries and conservatories, uncovering their pros and cons to help you decide which one best suits your needs.
What Is An Orangery?
Although orangeries are very popular throughout the UK, we still get lots of homeowners asking us “what is an orangery?” as they are more familiar with conservatories.
Orangeries boast a solid structure, with brick or stone walls forming the base and pillars, seamlessly blending into your home’s architecture.
The additional brickwork enhances insulation, ensuring a comfortable space to enjoy throughout the year. With a more solid and private feel, orangeries tend to feel like a more permanent extension compared to a conservatory.
What Is A Conservatory?
If you’re wondering “what is a conservatory?”, read on. A conservatory is a bright space designed to bring the outdoors indoors, with a glass-heavy structure that floods the room with natural light from every angle.
Conservatories typically feature a completely glazed roof with large windows and glass feature doors, creating a seamless connection to the garden.
This connection to nature makes them ideal for a number of activities, including pure relaxation, dining with friends and extended family, or even growing plants. Conservatories can be used as garden rooms or sunrooms, providing a sheltered space to enjoy nature year-round.
They are manufactured from materials like UPVC, timber or aluminium, and come in a range of styles to suit any home. Long gone are the days you’d have to be concerned about how hot your conservatory gets. Modern conservatories often feature energy efficient glazing, so you won’t have to worry about overheating during a UK heatwave.
But this leaves you needing to make a very difficult decision – which extension do you choose, a conservatory or orangery?
There’s no right or wrong answer, it all comes down to personal preference. Knowing some of the pros and cons of both extensions will help you make the right choice for you, your family, and your home.
Conservatories (Pros)
- Conservatories come in numerous styles, large and small, from the magnificently grand T-Shaped or P-Shaped design to the cutely compact Lean-To variation. You will definitely find something to suit.
- When it’s required, planning permission can usually be obtained more cheaply and quickly for a conservatory installation than a standard home extension.
- It receives a wealth of natural sunlight which generates a truly unique ambience inside the structure.
Conservatories (Cons)
- Unless it has an insulating roof and thermally efficient frames and glazing, there is a risk of a conservatory overheating in summer and feeling incredibly cold in winter.
- Glass takes prominence in a conservatory design and this could compromise your privacy as neighbours and passers-by may be able to get a clear view of what you’re doing inside of it.
Orangeries (Pros)
- Orangeries consist of a high proportion of brickwork and this helps them subtly blend in beautifully with properties – they don’t look like an obvious add-on.
- Often described as a cross between a conservatory and extension, an orangery tends to offer greater spaciousness than a conservatory thanks to its lengthy lantern-style roof.
- It’s a multi-purpose design as orangeries can be used as dining areas, offices, playrooms, home gymnasiums etc.
Orangeries (Cons)
- Orangeries have large windows but they may not receive as much natural sunlight as you would like in comparison to a conservatory.
- It is likely to cost you more to buy an orangery than a conservatory if money is an important factor.
Main Differences Between Orangery And Conservatory
The key difference between an orangery and a conservatory lies in their structure and overall design.
Orangeries feature more solid brickwork, offering greater privacy and a seamless extension to your home, while conservatories, with their glass-heavy design, maximise natural light and have a more standalone feel.
Thanks to their solid walls, orangeries provide excellent insulation for year-round comfort, though modern energy-efficient glazing ensures conservatories remain thermally efficient too.
Orangeries are often used as kitchens, dining areas, or lounges, whereas conservatories are popular as sunrooms, spaces for relaxation or entertaining. Orangeries have more of a room-like, private feel, while conservatories offer a bright, relaxing and welcoming atmosphere.
Hold off making a final decision until you have visited our Aberdeen showroom and seen examples of both brought to life with our exclusive 3D presentation suite.
