Conservatory Or Orangery – Which Is Best For You And Your Home?

Had you planned to extend your home this year or has your time in isolation with the family made you realise you need to extend it to make your home feel less cramped?

You can get the ball rolling with planning an extension so that when the right time comes, Visual can come and fit it at your house. We have the technology to even let you see a personalised 3D design of your planned space to whet your appetite in the meantime!

But what type of extension will you opt for? 

Typically, customers either choose a conservatory or orangery. If you’re thinking along similar lines, having knowledge of what both options have to offer can help you choose between the two. 

Conservatory

In general, a conservatory has over 75% of its sloped or angled roof glazed and a very bright feel internally because of the glazed facets within the roof and fully glass sides of the structure. 

It normally features a dwarf or single solid wall and has a glass or polycarbonate roof covering, but many modern conservatories have solid roofing systems, created using lifelike lightweight tiles or slates. 

In terms of cost, conservatories ordinarily come up in cheaper than orangeries as they’re not so reliant on brickwork (solely in the base) and don’t have such an expansive roof. 

Orangery

Predating the conservatory, having first originated in Italy in the 17th Century, orangeries are quite enclosed spaces and have less than 75% of their, usually, central roof lantern glazed. 

Supported by columns and square or rectangular shaped, they share many of the characteristics of 18th Century buildings, including the shallow pitch of the roof, and often incorporate pilasters. 

They also have an internal pelmet running around the perimeter of the ceiling, which downlighters and spotlights can be fixed into, and a plastered finish on the inside. 

In the opinion of some, orangeries look more of a natural extension of a house than conservatories. 

To be honest, it doesn’t matter which of the two extensions you choose as one isn’t better than the other. They’re both equally as exquisite! 

The team at Visual is still contactable if you wish to begin getting an extension organised.