HOME TRUTHS: ORANGERY VS CONSERVATORY
Are you planning on investing in a conservatory or orangery build at your home? Perhaps you’re torn between the two and not sure which one to choose. If that’s the case, it’s important to understand the difference between the two so that you can decide which one best suits your lifestyle and your property.
Property and construction expert Natalie Mitchell at HomeHow.co.uk has created this guide, which highlights the difference between orangeries and conservatories. This guide will go over the main characteristics of each structure as well as some important information about each of them, which will help you decide which option is the best for you. Take a look at the guide below to find out more about the differences between orangeries and conservatories.
What Is The Difference Between an Orangery and a Conservatory?
A conservatory is a glass structure built on a brick base with a pitched, glazed roof. The difference with an orangery is that it is usually a brick frame with large windows incorporated into it.
The main difference between conservatories and orangeries is the amount of glass coverage in the structure. The roof of a conservatory will be made up of mostly glass, whereas an orangery roof tends to be flat with a small glass portion in the middle.
Which Is The Better Option?
If you’re considering installing an orangery or a conservatory at your home, you should first consider which is the best option to suit your needs. Why are you looking to install this extra space, and how do you intend to use it? Are you hoping for a better view of your garden? Are you looking to extend one of your existing rooms? Once you have an idea of what you’re looking to get out of the room, this should help you with your decision.
It’s also important to consider your budget. Orangeries tend to be quite a bit more expensive than a conservatory, mostly due to the materials used. However, an orangery will add a lot more value to your home. So, consider what is important to you.
Both designs have progressed from being merely a greenhouse of sorts to being a valuable and much-loved additional living space for whatever purpose is required; this can include operating as a living area, kitchen extension, dining or entertainment/games room, or whatever else homeowners require extra space for.
It is also worth noting that while conservatories typically don’t require planning permission in the UK, the orangery is more likely to do so; speak with your local builder to find out what the rules are in your area.
Which Option Has Better Temperature Control?
Heat loss is defined as the amount of heat that transfers from the inside to the outside through the building materials. Heat can be lost in various ways, but when it comes to preventing heat loss, the roof of a building is the primary target.
Heat rises, so any heat emitted by a radiator or heater will gradually rise until it encounters the obstruction provided by the roof. The better the roof’s ability to prevent heat loss, or the lower its U-value, the warmer the room will remain. The answer to whether an orangery or a conservatory is warmer is found in the roofing material.
One of the biggest differences between an orangery and a conservatory is the difference in solid roofing content. With a conservatory roof typically consisting only of glass, more heat is lost in this structure. Orangeries have a solid roof, which is usually insulated, helping to keep the heat in.
During the summer months, the glass roof on a conservatory can allow a lot of heat from the sun in the room, which means the room can get very hot – particularly if there are no open doors or windows. The solid roof on an orangery acts as a barrier, preventing the sun’s rays from affecting the room as much as a conservatory roof does.
Which Option is More Customisable?
Orangeries are typically bespoke and designed to complement your existing property. They are available in a range of traditional and contemporary styles. This allows you to choose the size, shape, and roof style that will best complement your home’s interior and exterior appearance.
Bespoke conservatories can take many different forms, and the possibilities are limitless. Most competent builders can modify Victorian, Edwardian, Gable End, and Lean-to conservatories to fit even the most unusual situations, such as building a corner conservatory, cutting out space for a chimney, building a corner conservatory, and creating substantial portal frame conservatories.
Both options are pretty flexible and can be designed to suit the needs of your home. You just need to simply consider which option appeals to you.
Final Thoughts
Both orangeries and conservatories are very valuable extensions to have on your home. Conservatories are mostly made from glass and give you a clear view of your garden with the benefit of a glass roof, which allows a lot of light to enter. Orangeries are constructed much more like an extension and create an additional living space with good temperature control and plenty of customisation. When deciding between a conservatory and an orangery, it’s important to consider what you intend to use the room for and your budget and think about which option would suit your lifestyle the best.