The Differences Between Orangeries And Conservatories
What Is An Orangery?
An orangery is a type of home extension, characterised by a glass roof that typically covers less than 75% of the total roof area, while the glass walls cover less than 50% of the overall wall area.
What Is A Conservatory?
A conservatory is another form of home extension. Its defining characteristic is a glass roof that often covers at least 75% of the entire roof area, accompanied by glass walls that make up a minimum 50% of the overall wall area.
Orangeries VS. Conservatories: What Are The Differences?
In the past, the differences between an orangery and a conservatory were more obvious, but nowadays, they have become less apparent, which can make it challenging for homeowners like yourself to navigate the research and buying process. Historically, orangeries were extravagant structures found in large period homes, primarily used for cultivating orange trees. These buildings featured solid pillars that provided shelter for the oranges, while generous glass expanses allowed the sun’s warmth to nurture the plants.
Today, orangeries are often seen in smaller homes and resemble glazed structures similar to conservatories. They typically have increased solidity in the roof, incorporating lanterns, flat roofs, or internal pelmets along the ceiling perimeter. Also, orangeries typically boast brick pillars or super-insulated aluminium columns, adding a touch of grandeur to their design.
On the other hand, conservatories are predominantly constructed using glass or polycarbonate panels. This construction style brings the outside environment inside, without the same level of solidity or grandeur associated with orangeries. Thanks to advancements in thermally efficient technology and high-performance glass, modern conservatories can now offer impressive aesthetics and a cosy atmosphere which can be compared to that of an orangery. Design options such as colour choices and decorative cornices allow homeowners to create a unique and stylish space.
It is worth noting that an orangery can be designed to include floor-to-ceiling glass, while excluding brick pillars. This flexibility means that an orangery can resemble a conservatory in appearance, and vice versa. As a customer, you have complete control over the desired look of your new space, ensuring that the final installation meets your style preferences.
So, What Exactly Is An Orangery?
An orangery is somewhere between a conservatory and a fully-loaded single-storey extension. It combines the best elements of both options, offering an affordable home improvement solution. With its brick walls, an orangery can be customised to complement various architectural styles and is available in a range of appealing colours. An orangery really has the potential to enhance the kerb appeal of your home.
Now that you have a clear understanding of what an orangery entails, it’s time to delve deeper into the distinctive styles we offer at your local Conservatory Outlet retailer. Our orangeries come in three popular styles: the Contemporary Orangery, the Classic Orangery, and the Lantern Orangery. Each style presents a unique character, enabling you to choose the perfect design that aligns with your preferences and complements your home’s existing architecture.
The Contemporary Orangery
While each design can be tailored to your home, when we talk about contemporary orangeries, the design features include insulated columns and pelmet, and a decorative cornice. To further emphasise the modern style, many customers choose bi-folding or sliding patio doors to create a contemporary transition into the garden.
The Classic Orangery
In contrast to other styles, the Classic Orangery showcases a traditional aesthetic. It features elegant brick piers, an internal pelmet on the inside, and a gracefully curved cornice. With its classic design elements, this orangery style offers a charming and refined ambiance that complements various home types.
The Lantern Orangery
The Lantern Orangery presents an ideal option for properties of all kinds, whether modern or traditional. This style boasts the exquisite Ultrasky roof lantern, which serves as its centrepiece. Internally, the Lantern Orangery features a deep perimeter ceiling, allowing for a versatile lighting design that can be tailored to your preferences.
Discover Your Perfect Orangery Installer
When it comes to finding a reliable orangery installer for your home, look no further than a Conservatory Outlet premium retailer. By partnering with our trusted network of professionals, you can rest assured that you will receive a comprehensive quote tailored to your specific requirements.
What Is A Conservatory?
The most traditional and popular option for home extensions in the UK are conservatories. One of the main differences between a conservatory and an orangery is that glazing covers a larger area of the extension in a conservatory. The larger amounts of glazing result in conservatories being considered the brighter option that promotes the most sunlight entering your home. Their aesthetics often give homes a more open feel and they also deliver excellent thermal efficiency.
Nowadays, a wide range of different roof types are available to customers who choose an Ultra Installer. The differing roof options have made it a little more difficult to tell the difference between an orangery and a conservatory. Our roof options for conservatories include:
Glass Roof
Double glazed glass roofs are the classic aesthetic one thinks of when picturing a traditional conservatory. This style roof highlights the difference between an orangery and a conservatory and maximises the amount of natural light entering your home. While glass roofs give the feel of being outside, our double-glazed conservatory roofs are remarkably weatherproof and secure.
LivinRoof
Our Livinroof is nearly the complete opposite of our glass roof and is a solid alternative option to the more traditional glass roof. Our Livinroof has an aesthetic closer to traditional extensions further blurring the line between orangeries and conservatories. Solid roofs offer enhanced privacy as well as home security and can be installed with glass panels to keep the room bright with natural sunlight.
Ultraroof
The Ultraroof is the third option that Conservatory Outlet offers for conservatory roof options and is more similar to the Livinroof. Rather than using solid panels like the Livinroof, Ultraroof is constructed with tiles and delivers outstanding style for more traditional homes. The expertly crafted tiles fit together precisely making the Ultraroof extremely weatherproof and secure.
Is An Orangery Or Conservatory Best For Me?
Both orangeries and conservatories have advantages to offer depending on your type of home and what you are looking for in your extension. Both options can be installed on nearly any style of property, however there are some considerations to be made before making a decision.
Because of their rectangular shape, orangeries tend to suit smaller homes better. Think of the visual appeal of your home and keep in mind that covering too much of your property with an oversized orangery could negatively affect your home’s exterior aesthetic as well as cover too much of your garden.
If you are looking to extend a charming, older home then an orangery may be the best option as our installers can likely match your home’s brickwork to a new orangery creating an extension that looks like it has always been there. While conservatories can also be designed to suit older homes, orangeries generally tend to blend more naturally.
A great alternative to an orangery for those looking to renovate a smaller home is a lean-to conservatory. The main difference between a lean-to and other conservatory styles is that they have a slanted roof rather than a double-hipped roof allowing them to fit under the eaves of single storey houses. Lean-to conservatories take up minimal amounts of garden space while still offering remarkable visual appeal.
For those in larger homes, conservatories can be designed bespoke based on the space available for the extension. An important difference between orangeries and conservatories is that conservatories can be designed in different configurations such as P and T-shaped designs which can seamlessly blend into your home without feeling oversized.
If you are still questioning which option is best for your home, an approved Conservatory Outlet retailer can visit your home and make expert recommendations based on your requirements.
Find A Premium Retailer Near You
To find out more about conservatories, orangeries, or replacement roofs, go to our free search tool and find an approved Conservatory Outlet premium retailer local to you. Their vast experience and thorough knowledge of our products will allow them to answer any questions you may have about the pros and cons of orangeries versus conservatories.
During the process, you can also submit a request for more information about any of our products. One of our friendly customer service team members will be happy to contact you for a more detailed, no-obligation discussion of our products.
LOOKING TO EXTEND YOUR HOME?
One of our multi-purpose living spaces will give you the roominess that you desire so that you can also invite more people over and feel so much less restricted.
LOOKING TO EXTEND YOUR HOME?
One of our multi-purpose living spaces will give you the roominess that you desire so that you can also invite more people over and feel so much less restricted.
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