Orangery vs Brick Extension: Which Is Right for Your Home?
- Glass House Architecture
- Jul 10
- 5 min read
If you're planning to extend your home, one of the first questions you'll face is whether to choose a traditional orangery or a brick-built extension. Both options can transform how you live, entertain, and enjoy your space, but they offer very different benefits.
At Glass House Architecture, we’ve helped clients across the UK design bespoke timber orangeries and high-quality glazed extensions. In this article, I’ll walk you through the differences between the two and help you decide which one suits your home best.
Appearance and Aesthetics
Orangeries are known for their elegance. They usually include a mix of timber or oak frames, glazed roof lanterns, and full-height windows or French doors. A well-designed orangery feels like a natural transition between the house and garden, with plenty of daylight and a softer architectural style.
Brick extensions, on the other hand, are more solid and enclosed. They're often designed to match the existing brickwork of the home, creating a seamless but more substantial addition. While they don’t usually include as much glass, they offer strong insulation and a clear architectural presence.
How Each Space Feels
An orangery offers a brighter, more open feel, while a brick extension often feels more like an internal room. Both can be used for a wide range of functions - dining rooms, kitchens, lounges, or home offices, but the atmosphere is different.
In many of our designs, the glass used in a traditional orangery plays a major role in shaping the space. With the right glazing and thermal performance, an orangery can feel warm in winter and fresh in summer.
Comfort and Thermal Performance
Historically, people associated orangeries with summer use only. But with modern double glazing, underfloor heating, and high-insulation roof designs, that’s no longer the case. Today’s orangeries perform much like any other room in the house.
Brick extensions do tend to retain heat better, especially when built with cavity walls and full insulation. That said, we often use U-values below 1.0 in our glazing systems, which means a well-designed orangery can offer just as much comfort, and often more natural light.
Flexibility in Design
One of the reasons homeowners choose orangeries is the flexibility of layout and orangery ideas they can explore. Roof lanterns, tall glazing, and painted hardwood joinery offer scope for both contemporary and classical styling. These spaces work especially well as open-plan dining or garden rooms.
Brick extensions are better suited for more private uses - utility rooms, extended kitchens, or extra bedrooms. They allow for heavier fixtures and more solid wall space. The trade-off is less daylight and a more traditional enclosed feeling.
Planning Permission and Regulations
In most cases, both orangeries and brick extensions require the same approach to planning permission, especially if the home is listed or in a conservation area. The main difference is visual impact. Because orangeries often include more glass and sit lower on the site, they may sometimes face fewer objections.
We support all our clients with planning applications and ensure that every build meets or exceeds UK building regulations, including energy performance and structural safety.
Cost and Budgeting
The cost of a traditional orangery can vary depending on the materials, size, and specification. In general, orangeries with large roof lanterns, solar control glazing, and bespoke joinery can be similar in price to a small or mid-sized brick extension.
However, if you're aiming for a high-end orangery with specialist accessories, such as integrated lighting, smart heating, or self-cleaning glass, that can push the cost higher. Brick extensions also vary widely depending on roof type, finish, and internal fittings.
Roof Types and Light Levels
A major difference between these two options is the roof. Orangeries typically feature a solid perimeter roof with a glazed lantern in the centre. This brings in overhead light while retaining a sense of shelter and height.
Brick extensions usually have pitched or flat roofs. They may include skylights, but rarely achieve the same central glow as a lantern-lit orangery. If light is a priority, that’s worth bearing in mind.
Materials and Structure
With orangeries, we work primarily in timber, oak, or painted hardwood, often paired with brick plinths or stone cills. These materials reflect the architectural features of an orangery and suit heritage properties or period homes.
Brick extensions are built entirely from brick or blockwork, sometimes rendered to match existing walls. They often require deeper foundations and a longer build time. Each approach has pros and cons depending on your home and site conditions.
Planning for Accessories
Because orangeries include more glazing, they benefit from accessories like roof lantern lighting, integrated blinds, and underfloor heating. We build many of these features into the design from day one.
That doesn’t mean you can’t include accessories in a brick extension, just that orangeries tend to include more finishing elements as part of their identity. From crestings and finials to detailed cornices, the styling options are different.
Choosing the Right Glass
The performance of an orangery depends heavily on the glass used. We use high-spec double or triple glazing with low U-values, self-cleaning coatings, and solar control where needed. This helps control temperature and light, even in large, open spaces.
Brick extensions use more solid walls, so glazing plays a smaller role. That means less reliance on performance glass, but also fewer opportunities for garden views and natural daylight.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most common mistakes when choosing an orangery or brick extension is not thinking about how the space will feel through the seasons. Over-glazing a brick extension can lead to overheating, while under-glazing an orangery can make it feel too enclosed.
It’s also important to plan for heating, lighting, and layout early, especially if you're investing in high-end finishes.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
Orangeries
✔ Bright and open
✔ Classic or contemporary style
✔ Closer connection to the garden
✘ May need shading or climate control
✘ Requires careful glass specification
Brick Extensions
✔ Solid, private, and secure
✔ Ideal for kitchens and bedrooms
✔ High insulation
✘ Less daylight
✘ Often more visually dominant
And What About Conservatories or Winter Gardens?
You might also be wondering how these options compare to a conservatory or winter garden. Conservatories are mostly glass, with minimal framing. They’re quick to build but can lack insulation. Winter gardens are modern glazed rooms, usually frameless and high-spec. They’re ideal for contemporary homes, but not always suitable for period settings.
Orangeries, in contrast, offer a balance - more solid than a conservatory, more traditional than a winter garden, and more glazed than a brick extension.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between a traditional orangery and a brick extension depends on how you want the space to feel, look, and function. Both options can be tailored to your lifestyle, and both offer long-term value when designed well.
We’re here to help you weigh up your choices. Whether you're planning a garden room, a dining space, or something totally unique, we’ll help you find the structure that feels like it belongs.