A lot of people ask us this question and this is normally followed up with another, ‘which one is better?’.
In this post we’ll go through the main differences between the two and explain the benefits of both. This way you can be absolutely sure which one will suit your home best.
Orangeries
Interestingly, before the boom of conservatories, orangeries were far more popular and it certainly seems that they have reclaimed their popularity.
Orangeries date back to the 16th Century where they were used in extravagant homes and estates to grow large fruit trees, like oranges and pomegranates. This is how they got their name.
Nowadays, orangeries are much smaller and more in-keeping with our modern needs and necessities.
Unlike conservatories, orangeries are generally made of brick or stone. They still have large panels of glazing, but these are placed in a solid frame and are not connected to each other.
They are also constructed with a flat roof which hold a number of Skypods. These are large openings that allow lots of natural light into the new space below.
The main feature of an orangery is its robustness. As it is built of brick, it acts as a much more permanent addition to your home. For this reason, orangeries generally add more to your properties value than a conservatory would.
Another great benefit of an orangery is that it is more versatility. The extra space created is easily accessible and can be used for almost anything, like a new kitchen, a play room, or even to grow fruit if that is your wish.
Conservatories
Conservatories became very popular in the 19th Century as glass production increased. The Crystal Palace is a good example of why they began to overshadow orangeries (for a while at least).
As you can guess, they differ to orangeries by using a lot more glazing. The roof alone will normally have more than 75% glass.
Unlike orangeries, conservatories are more disconnected to the main living space. They are normally built against an exterior wall of your home and become accessible by another door.
Conservatories are usually built with a low brick base. The glass panels connect together and rest on top of this base giving a clear view of your garden.
Even though they may not be as robust as an orangery, their main attraction is the visual connection they bring from the outside. Your garden becomes far more visible and enjoyable from the comfort of an armchair or sofa.
Other Things To Consider
Before making a decision, you may want to also want to consider the changing seasons.
As you’ve probably guessed, conservatories will be much warmer in the summer but will become much harder to heat when winter arrives. This is because of the larger area of glass exposed to the outside. Conservatories are also heated from an independent source, which isn’t connected to your central heating (not always, but generally speaking).
Orangeries can be built with central heating and insulation too. You also have the option of having more wall space, if you wanted to use a combined heater and air conditioning unit. This would help keep your living space cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Get a 3D Design Made
With every large home improvement, we can show you how everything will look using detailed, 3D imaging. Whether you’d prefer a robust orangery or the natural setting of a conservatory, we can make everything a reality.
Get in touch today to find out more. We are here to answer any other questions you have.
