Orangery vs Conservatory
Conservatories and orangeries both add light-filled living space, but they look and feel different. Here's how to decide which one suits your home.
What is a conservatory?
A conservatory is mostly glazed, with a low dwarf wall and a glass or polycarbonate roof. Popular styles include Victorian, Edwardian, gable-end and lean-to. Conservatories give you the most light and the closest connection to the garden, and they are usually the most affordable option.
What is an orangery?
An orangery uses more brickwork, often in the form of brick piers, along with a flat roof perimeter and a central glass lantern. Because there's more solid structure, it feels more like a traditional extension. You can fit spotlights in the ceiling, and it blends in with the house more naturally.
Side-by-side
- Light: conservatories let in the most light, while orangeries give a good balance of light and solid wall
- Feel: a conservatory feels like a garden room, while an orangery feels like part of the house
- Lighting: orangeries can have spotlights, while conservatories usually have wall lights
- Cost: conservatories usually cost less for the same floor area
What about a tiled roof conservatory?
A tiled roof conservatory sits between the two. It has the footprint of a conservatory with an insulated, solid roof, so it stays comfortable all year.
Planning permission
Both are often permitted development, but not always. See our planning permission guide.
Browse our uPVC conservatories and orangeries, or call us for a free design consultation.
Get a free, no-obligation quote
Call us on 01952 240402, email sales@daylitegroup.co.uk or send us a message. You can also visit our showroom and trade counter at Units 15 & 16 Ketley Business Park, Telford TF1 5JD, Monday to Friday 8am–5pm.
