Orangery vs Conservatory

Deciding between an orangery and a conservatory is one of the most common questions we hear from homeowners across Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire. Both add usable, light filled space and both can transform how you use your home. The right choice comes down to how the two are built, how each one feels to live in, and what you want the room to do.

This guide explains the real differences in plain terms, so you can walk into a conversation with a surveyor already knowing which direction suits your home.

What Is an Orangery

An orangery sits somewhere between a conservatory and a full brick extension. It keeps plenty of glass for light, but it adds solid construction that makes the room feel like a permanent part of the house rather than an addition tacked on to the back.

The Brick Pillar Construction

The feature that defines an orangery is the use of brick or stone pillars at the corners and often between the window sections. These solid columns carry the structure and frame the glazing, which gives the room more substance and a stronger connection to the main house. The brickwork can be matched to your existing property so the finished result looks like it has always been there.

The Roof Lantern

Rather than a fully glazed roof, an orangery usually has a flat perimeter roof section with a glazed roof lantern set into the centre. The lantern floods the room with overhead light while the surrounding flat roof gives the structure its solid, framed look. If you like the idea of a striking central lantern, our roof lanterns page shows how they work and the difference they make to a room.

The Solid Room Feel

Because of the brickwork and the more enclosed roof, an orangery feels closer to a conventional room. That solid feel is a big part of why homeowners choose one for everyday living space rather than an occasional sun room. It reads as an extension of the house, not a separate garden structure.

What Is a Conservatory

A conservatory is the more traditional glazed addition, and it remains one of the most popular ways to add space and light. It is predominantly glass, which is exactly what many homeowners want when the goal is a bright room that brings the garden closer.

Glazed Walls

A conservatory is built largely from glass, often on top of a low brick base known as a dwarf wall, or fully glazed from floor level. This gives you the widest possible views of the garden and the maximum amount of natural light through the walls. The frames can be specified in a range of styles and finishes to suit the look of your home.

Roof Options

The roof is where conservatories have changed the most in recent years. You can choose a fully glazed roof for maximum light, or a solid insulated roof that makes the room more comfortable to use across the year. There is a lot to weigh up here, and our guide to the best conservatory glazing options walks through the choices in detail.

The Garden Room Feel

With so much glass, a conservatory has a light, open, garden room character. It feels like a bright space that sits between the house and the outdoors, which is exactly the appeal for many people. It is the more airy of the two options, and generally the more affordable way to add square footage.

Orangery vs Conservatory the Main Differences

Now that the two structures are clear, here is how they compare across the things that matter most when you are choosing between them.

Roof Design

This is the clearest difference. A conservatory typically has a glazed or fully solid roof that covers the whole structure. An orangery has a flat perimeter roof with a central glazed lantern. The orangery roof gives a more solid, framed appearance, while the conservatory roof leans towards openness and light.

Wall Construction and Glazing

A conservatory is mostly glass, sometimes on a dwarf wall. An orangery uses brick pillars between the glazed sections, so the ratio of solid wall to glass is higher. If you want the maximum glass, a conservatory wins. If you want more solid wall for furniture, radiators or a more enclosed feel, an orangery makes more sense.

Natural Light

Both let in plenty of light, but they do it differently. A conservatory brings light in from all sides through its glazed walls. An orangery draws much of its light down from the central roof lantern. The conservatory tends to feel brighter around the edges, while the orangery has a lovely pool of light in the centre of the room.

Comfort Through the Seasons

The brick pillars and solid roof sections of an orangery tend to make it feel more comfortable across the year, which is one reason it is often used as everyday living space. A modern conservatory with an insulated roof can also be very comfortable, so the difference is smaller than it once was. If you are updating an older conservatory that gets too hot or too cold, a conservatory roof replacement can make a real difference before you consider anything more involved.

How Each One Feels to Live In

This is the part that is hard to put on a spec sheet but matters most day to day. An orangery feels like a room of the house. A conservatory feels like a bright space that connects you to the garden. Neither is better in absolute terms. It comes down to whether you want a seamless extension or a light, airy addition.

Which One Costs More

As a general rule, an orangery costs more than a conservatory of the same footprint. The extra brickwork, the more involved roof structure and the roof lantern all add to the build. A conservatory is usually the more budget friendly way to add space, which is one of the reasons it remains so popular.

The right figure for your home depends on the size, the materials, the roof you choose and the condition of the area you are building on. The most accurate way to compare the two is a free survey and a written quotation, so you are looking at real numbers for your property rather than rough averages.

Which Is Right for Your Home

The best way to decide is to think about how you will actually use the room. Here is how the two tend to suit different needs.

A Kitchen or Dining Extension

If you want to extend a kitchen or create a dining space that flows from the rest of the house, an orangery is often the better fit. The solid feel and the wall space for units and appliances make it work well as a genuine part of the home. You can see examples of finished projects on our orangeries page.

A Home Office or Reading Room

For a quieter space with plenty of light, either can work well. An orangery gives you more wall space for shelving and a more enclosed, focused feel. A conservatory gives you a brighter, more open outlook, which some people find inspiring to work in.

A Family Living Space

If the room is going to be a busy everyday living area, comfort across the year matters most. An orangery, or a conservatory with a well specified insulated roof, will serve you better than a lightly glazed structure that is only comfortable in spring and autumn.

Planning Permission and Building Regulations

Many orangeries and conservatories fall under permitted development, which means they can often be built without a full planning application. Whether that applies to your project depends on the size, height and position of the structure, and on whether your home still has its permitted development rights. Homes in conservation areas or with previous extensions may have different rules.

It is always worth checking your specific situation before any work begins. Our team can help you understand what is likely to apply to your property, and point you in the right direction if a formal check is needed.

Orangeries and Conservatories Across Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire

Cristal Windows is a family run business based in Fleet, and we design and install orangeries and conservatories for homeowners across Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire. That includes Fleet, Hartley Wintney, Farnham, Basingstoke and the surrounding towns and villages within our service area.

Every home and garden is different, so we never work from a fixed template. We survey your property, talk through how you want to use the space, and recommend the option that fits your home, your budget and the way you live. If you are still weighing up an orangery against a conservatory after reading this, the easiest next step is to book a free survey and let us take a look in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is an orangery warmer than a conservatory?

A. An orangery often feels more comfortable across the year because its brick pillars and solid roof sections hold warmth better than a fully glazed structure. A well specified modern conservatory with an insulated roof can still be very comfortable, so the gap is smaller than it used to be. The best choice depends on how you plan to use the room and your budget.

Q. Can I use an orangery as a kitchen or dining room?

A. Yes. The solid, room like feel of an orangery makes it a popular choice for kitchen extensions and dining spaces. Because it connects more seamlessly with the rest of the house, many homeowners use it as an everyday living area rather than an occasional garden room.

Q. Do I need planning permission for an orangery or conservatory?

A. Many orangeries and conservatories fall under permitted development, which means they can often be built without a full planning application, but this depends on the size, height and position of the structure and whether your home still has its permitted development rights. We always recommend checking your specific situation before work begins, and our team can help you understand what applies to your property.

Q. Which lasts longer, an orangery or a conservatory?

A. Both can last for decades when they are well built and properly maintained. An orangery includes more traditional brickwork, which some homeowners feel gives it a more permanent, house like character. A quality conservatory with a modern frame and roof is also a durable, long term addition.

Q. Can you convert a conservatory into an orangery?

A. In many cases yes. If your existing conservatory has a sound base and structure, it is often possible to add brick pillars, a new perimeter roof and a roof lantern to give it the look and feel of an orangery. The best way to know is to arrange a survey so we can assess what your current structure will allow.