Conservatories, orangeries and extensions are becoming blurred as more people opt for fully glazed extensions to their homes. What we consider conservatories are technically extensions and what we call orangeries are really conservatories.
The main difference between a conservatory and an orangery is the amount of coverage of glass in the structure.
A conservatory is a fully glazed structure with a low brick base wall.
Orangeries are often confused with conservatories. But a real orangery is quite a grand structure that adds real elegance to a property.
The following table will help you to understand the subtle differences between a conservatory, an orangery and an extension.
Is an orangery warmer than a conservatory?
An orangery was originally designed to capture as much sunlight as possible to grow fruit and exotic plants. To achieve this, the windows had to be south-facing, with a solid north-facing wall protecting against the cold and wooden shutters to retain heat at night.
An orangery is fundamentally a brick structure with large glass windows, so the brick will provide more insulation than a fully glazed structure.
A conservatory is a structure predominantly made of glass so is naturally susceptible to fluctuations in temperature - hot in summer, cold in winter. Glass technology does mean that conservatories built today are far more energy-efficient than twenty or thirty years ago. But, by its very nature, glass will always be less efficient than brick at retaining heat and managing a constant temperature.
On balance, a traditional orangery is slightly warmer than a conservatory. But, conservatories with quality glazing are not far behind.
Do you need planning permission for an orangery?
For planning permission purposes, orangeries are considered as single-storey extensions.
Permitted development rights offer a homeowner a lot of possibilities to extend their property without the need for a full planning application. The Rights for single-storey extensions are surprisingly generous and allow for a reasonably sized extension.
Therefore, orangeries DON'T need planning permission IF they're built within the permitted development guidelines*.
Planning permission can be confusing (and serious if you get it wrong) so it's essential that you fully understand the guidelines before you start a project. For this reason, you should only work with expert tradesmen who can help you.
*Note, if you live in a listed building or a conservation area you have tighter restrictions.
At Everest, we manage all the planning permission and regulations for an orangery or a conservatory on your behalf and guarantee what we build is within guidelines.
You can read our guide that covers the permitted development rights and building regulations for an orangery. Do I need planning permission for an orangery?
Does a conservatory or an orangery add value to a property?
Most home improvement should add value to your home IF it's done to a high standard and in keeping with the property.
A conservatory can add between 5-12% to the value of a property. Whilst an orangery can add as much as an extension depending on the finish.
Bad DIY can seriously devalue a property - adding uPVC windows to a period property (instead of traditional timber). So, anything that you do build must be of a high standard. Old, badly built uPVC conservatories can put off potential buyers if you want to sell.
It's important to consider the style of the property and what would best suit the house. For example, an Edwardian semi would better suit a conservatory whilst a traditional stone-built detached house would suit the grandeur of an orangery.
Gardens are a desirable feature of a house so if you have limited garden space you should consider how much garden area you want to retain to maximise the property value.
If you speak to a local estate agent they can offer advice on what is popular in your area and what will most add value to your property.
If you want to extend your home and are considering either a conservatory or an orangery you would need to ask yourself the following questions: