Conservatory styles – What’s the difference?

Conservatories come in a wealth of different styles and finishes – from basic, minimal lean to extensions to modern masterpieces that seamlessly extend your home echoing the current style of your property. The variables are seemingly endless and, best of all, allow you to be expressive whilst getting creative (not to mention increasing the value and comfort of your home).

Unfortunately, with all this variety it can sometimes be quite overwhelming to settle on one style or another, especially when you take into account the time, effort and financial investment that you’re engaging in. As a result we thought it best to give you a simple run down, a reference point if you like, guiding you through the standard styles and the jargon attributed to each. Once you know the, sometimes subtle, differences you’ll be able to make an informed decision that works best for you and your property.

The first things you should ask yourself before we start though is how are you going to use your new space? This is the most important place to start as it will largely dictate which way you decide to go. Is it going to give your kitchen dining area a new lease of life and light? Will it be largely used by the kids or even your pets? Perhaps you’d like an amalgamation of the above or just a simple space for growing plants. We’ve even built conservatories for people who want grapes to flourish for their wine making endeavours! Obviously each case is vastly different but settling on the primary aim for your conservatory should always be your first port of call.

You will need to think about more than just the day to day function of the space but once you’ve got that cemented in your mind you can turn your attention to the more creative aspects of the build. Things like interior finishes, tiled, warm or lantern roof, the ratio of glass and most importantly style come in to play next.

Here is our comprehensive list of conservatory styles but by no means is the below set in stone. Here at Keswick Superglaze we offer everything we do with our made to measure bespoke approach. No flat pack one size fits all solutions here! Blending styles and making something completely specific to your needs is, in our minds, the best part of our job.

Lean-to Conservatory – Occasionally referred to as the ‘Mediterranean’, this used to be the most popular conservatory type due to its simple design and construction. For those developing properties for resale this may be the style for you as it can be friendlier to your pocket.

Victorian Conservatory – Another hugely popular style which is bay fronted with a classically decorative pitched roof.

Edwardian / Georgian Conservatory – Many people confuse the Edwardian, Georgian and Victorian styles due to their similarly decorative nature. These however are rectangular in shape without the bay, preferring a flat fronted finish.

Gable Conservatory – It’s all in the roof with Gable conservatories, opting to ditch a slope in the roof give you an extra height and as a result can feel brighter and roomier.

P-Shape Conservatory – Combining Victorian and Edwardian / Georgian style to make (as the name suggests) a ‘P’ shape. This type tends to be pretty large as a result and are an excellent choice if you’re looking for very functional space. Ideal for extended kitchen and dining areas.

Orangery – A halfway point between conservatory and extension. They are much more complimentary to your existing style and aim to be a seamless addition of space, as a result there tends to be a higher brick to glass ratio.

Hopefully you now have a bit more of an idea of what makes each type unique and what will work for you. Ultimately it all comes down to personal preference but if you’d like an expert opinion of what will be the best solution for your needs, property and budget then get in touch with us today. All our quotations are no obligation and we’d be more than happy to pop round for a cuppa to help you make the right choice.