Take a step-up with an Orangery…

For the uninformed, it’s easy to confuse conservatories and orangeries. At first glance, they look very similar; a new room on the outside of your home, with a large quantity of glass.

Historically, the orangery came first. They became very popular in the 1600s… yes, that long ago! General thinking is that the orangery actually inspired the modern conservatory.

Why did people need an orangery? The clue is very much in the name. They needed a safe place to keep their citrus trees during the colder months. Conservatories on the other hand, came later and provided a number of functions; extra light due to a larger surface area of glass, a place for plants succeptable to frost in winter and additional living space in the warmer months.

Generally speaking, you’ll notice more glass in a conservatory, usually over 70%. An Orangery will have less glass and more brickwork, and more importantly, an orangery is a genuine home extension, and so will require local planning permission. But don’t let that put you off, as getting planning for an orangery is usually just a formality and the payback is a measurable increase in the value of your home!

Of course a conservatory will give you extra living space too, but the solid brick construction of an orangery adds more security. You also get a bit more privacy, which might be important if your garden is overlooked. This aspect can be important if you’re going to use the additional living space on a regular basis for dining, cooking or as a home office.

When it comes to heating bills, orangeries can be more cost effective too, largely down to the extra insulation that the half-brick construction affords, and even more so with the option of a solid-style roof. The time taken and the extra investment of an orangery might seem off-putting, but it will add much more value to your house, and could be the best choice for you and your family if you’ll be using the space on a regular basis.

At the end of the day, a conservatory is great for occasional use, any time of year and provides a great view of your garden when reading the newspaper or having a lazy Sunday morning breakfast.

But if you’re looking to use the extra space on a daily basis as an additional room in your home, then an Orangery is the perfect solution!

Want to know more about Orangeries? Just give us a call or send us an email – we’ll take you through your options step by step…