What is the Difference Between a Conservatory and an Orangery?

If you’re considering upgrading your home with an extension, then you’ll find you have a range of options to choose from. Some of the most common solutions are orangeries and conservatories. However, as the lines between these two home-improvement solutions continue to blur, many people find themselves struggling to identify the differences between an orangery, and a conservatory.

Here, we’re going to alleviate the confusion by giving you a comprehensive insight into what orangeries and conservatories are, and what the modern differences between them may be.

>What is an Orangery?

Orangeries were traditionally associated with grandeur and atrium-style ceilings. However, today, they’re not so different from luxurious conservatories. An orangery is made of large glazed windows, and tall brick pillars.

Originally, orangeries were built for the “wealthy” crowd of the 17^th to 19^th century, and were intended to provide warmth and comfort for entertaining all year-round. Sometimes, they were even purchased as a solution for growing citrus trees in an environment that would protect the delicate plants from winter weather.

Technology has come a long way since the first orangeries, with new designs constantly introduced to give homeowners new looks and fashions to choose from.

Orangeries tend to:

• Be more extravagant than the rest of the home
• Compliment the property in terms of the materials used
• Have brick pillars
• Have a parapet
• Use less glass than a conservatory

What is a Conservatory?

Conservatory are home additions made using low walls and glass. Some conservatories have no brickwork at all, and simply consist of strong, glazed windows, similar to a greenhouse. Like orangeries, conservatories were first built to maintain plants that couldn’t survive in the UK during winter.

One of the biggest differences between orangeries and conservatory is the roof. A conservatory often has a mostly glass roof, whereas orangery roofing uses brickwork. However today, many orangeries are available with a full glass roof. Another difference is the fact that conservatories have traditionally been built as an extension of the home, while that hasn’t always been the case with orangeries. Some orangery designs are implemented as their own supporting structures within a garden space.

Conservatories tend to:

• Be made primarily of glass
• Have dwarf walls or a single solid wall
• Use a full glass roof
• Compliment the home with similar materials
• Be a room for bringing homeowners closer to their garden

Separating Orangeries and Conservatories

Though orangeries and conservatories are becoming more alike, there are still some key differences between them in terms of design and construction. Conservatories still act as an extension of a home, sharing the same designs of the house, with décor that compliments the surrounding rooms.

Orangeries are still intended to provide an additional touch of elegance within a home. Usually, their design is different from the rest of the home, traditionally using plenty of brickwork alongside large windows.

While conservatories use minimal brickwork, and focus on offering a great garden view from a room that feels like part of the house, orangeries include more brickwork and are often larger, more opulent, and more separated from the rest of the home.