Orangery

Orangeries blur the line between conservatory and full extension. Construction is much more substantial — typically brick or timber columns with substantial perimeter walls (often to dado-rail height), large glazed sections between the pillars, and a flat or low-pitched roof with a central glass lantern. The combination of solid wall, generous glazing, and lantern roof gives much better thermal performance and year-round comfort than a fully-glazed conservatory.

Key features

• Solid brick or rendered pillar construction with substantial perimeter walls
• Large floor-to-ceiling glazed sections between pillars
• Flat or low-pitched roof with central glass lantern
• Much better thermal performance — usable year-round without space heating
• Blurs into extension territory — building regulations approval typically required
• Suits period properties and listed buildings where conservatories aren't permitted

Ideal for

• Buyers wanting a year-round usable extra room (not a summer-only space)
• Properties where the addition needs to feel architectural and integrated
• Period properties — Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian — where orangery style is historically authentic
• Listed buildings and conservation areas where conservatories may be refused but orangeries pass

Variations

• Classical orangery: rendered pillars with cornice detail and central lantern (period aesthetic)
• Modern orangery: clean brick pillars with large glazed bifold doors (contemporary)
• Hybrid orangery: reduced wall element, more conservatory-like but with lantern roof

Aluminium is the dominant choice for the glazed sections between pillars — slim sightlines maximise glass area and handle the substantial lantern roof glazing efficiently. Hardwood is the premium choice for period properties, with engineered Accoya or Sapele for the columns and frames giving authentic Georgian or Victorian orangery aesthetic. uPVC is less common for full orangeries but can work for hybrid orangery-style conservatories.

Considerations

Orangeries cost 30-50% more than conservatories of equivalent footprint due to the brick construction, lantern roof complexity, and typically required building regulations approval. Most orangeries need both planning consent and building regulations approval — we handle both applications. The substantial pillars (typically 200-300 mm thick) reduce usable floor area by 5-8% relative to a fully-glazed equivalent.

See full materials comparison →