What is the difference between an Orangery and a Conservatory?

Knowing the difference between an orangery and a conservatory

Often it can be a difficult and daunting task choosing the right type of extension for your home. First of all, what is an Orangery, I hear you ask! And why is this different from a Conservatory? Don’t worry, these are all common questions and we can help you with your decision all the way.

Orangery

Traditionally, Orangeries were extravagant rooms which often shouted wealth and prestige. Not only was their purpose to act as protection to orange and other fruit trees in the winter, but also a room to show off the beautiful light and warmth from the large south-facing windows. These rooms still featured much brickwork, especially on the North-facing walls, and very much felt like a different room from the rest of the house because of the decor and construction. The materials used in the construction can be chosen to match that of the house so that the Orangery simply becomes part of the house, rather than an obvious extension, making it an excellent all year round room. Many homeowners like to use orangeries as an extension of the kitchen or as a glamorous dining space.

Conservatory

Conservatories, on the other hand, offer a similar space but still feel like part of the house – perhaps a room to view the garden from or to enjoy the sunshine. They feature less brickwork than the Orangery and more glass in the roof – typically over 75% of the roof is glass. According to definition, a conservatory must have more than half of its wall area glazed. Therefore it’s easy to see why these spaces were perfect for growing vegetation which often needed a more tropical climate and higher levels of light. Today, conservatories can be a light, multi-functional room for all the family to enjoy.

 

How can i tell the difference between an orangery and conservatory?

Let’s compare the roof design. An easy way to distinguish between an Orangery and Conservatory is by looking at the roof. A Conservatory has a huge amount of glass, as previously discussed. This may feature eaves, gables, turrets or perhaps some multi-coloured glass. But it is important to remember that the more glazed areas will allow maximum amount of light and heat to enter the space. Alternatively, an Orangery roof will typically be flat with a roof lantern which will provide fantastic light into the room below. To throw a spanner in the works and make things that bit more confusing, you can now get a proper roof on your conservatory via our Warm Roofs. 

It’s also worth mentioning the differences between the base work of the two. An orangery requires a more solid base and foundations to support the roof, which will be heavier due to increased brickwork. So, to sum up, the differences between an Orangery and Conservatory lie within the three main components – the roof, the quantity of glass and the base work.

So what can I have on my property?

Here at Keswick Superglaze, we can help you find the right extension to your home. Be that a Conservatory, including Gable, Victorian, Lean-to or perhaps the more traditional Edwardian and Georgian. An orangery or for an all year round room why not ask us about our warm roofs or read more about them in this blog.

Remember to think about your building regulations and planning permission – ask one of our representatives if you need these for your project.