Homeowners have always loved the idea of easily adding more space to their properties, especially when it comes in the form of a bright and spacious lounge or dining room that offers close-up views of their gardens. And that's where we come in, as with over 30 years of experience designing and building garden rooms, orangeries and renovating conservatories, we're answering the question that you may have found yourself wondering. What actually is the difference between a conservatory and an orangery, and more importantly, which one is right for you and your property.
A conservatory is predominantly made from glazing or glass, meaning it allows for the extended space to be filled with as much natural light as possible. Unfortunately, older and more traditional conservatories earned a bad reputation for feeling hot and stuffy in the summer months and unusably cold in the winter. However, as homeowners began to realise that their expensive conservatories were an investment that could only be used for half the year they disappointedly began to fall out of style.
An Orangery, on the other hand, is a brick structure room with large windows and a flat roof with a glass lantern, creating a room with a central lantern that invites in the desired natural light but stops the heat fluctuations which happens with Conservatories.
Orangeries, being first built in the 17th century in Europe, were a symbol of wealth and prestige, which is why there's a real element of style to them. Additionally, due to their constant, controllable temperature, they were traditionally designed to grow plants which are sensitive to cold weather.
The main difference between an Orangery and a Conservatory is the roof and the percentage of that roof which is glazing. So for those of you that love all things numbers, the 75% rule is best applied. If there's more than 75% glass in the roof it's a Conservatory, but if there's less than 75% it tends to be classed as an Orangery.
However, the amount of glazing isn't the only comparable feature to note. When it comes to functionality, Orangeries have to take the win. Their more easily controllable temperature makes it completely usable all year round, really topping the dated Conservatory which can be very temperamental during peak summer and winter temperatures.
Finally, let's compare style. When it comes to home improvements, everyone wants an extension that compliments the feel of their home and adds not only monetary value but lifestyle value as well. Conservatories, being majoritively glass are often considered outdated in the style department, whereas Orangeries, though classic, are definitely becoming more popular as the stylish choice.
Essentially, both Conservatories and Orangeries are extensions used to add space to your home while allowing for some beautiful natural light to flood in, but the comparative differences really impact the feel that the extension will have on your home.
Before making the decision, it's important to consider why you want the extra space in your home, and how you'll end up using it.
Orangeries offer many different, and often more desirable qualities than Conservatories that make them a more long-lasting feature. As Orangeries tend to have brick pillars or even full walls, their insulation is much greater than that of Conservatories, making them the perfect choice for a new home office or smaller living room.
An additional point to note is that Orangeries, being the more high-end approach, also add value to your home if you do decide to sell it one day. However, this should not be your only reason for purchasing an Orangery, as they also add style, light and most importantly, more space to your home.
So, whether you're looking to improve your living space by adding a beautiful Orangery, or even just renovating your current conservatory, our team of experts are always more than happy to discuss our many home improvement options with you. If you'd like to discuss your options further, we will not only work with your ideas and help you decide what is best, but we will also design and build your bespoke home improvement to the highest of standards. Just contact us today or give us a call on 01603 720005 to speak with one of our experts.
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