Pros and Cons of a Traditional Orangery
Updated: 13 hours ago
The main pros of a traditional orangery are daylight from the roof lantern, a room that is warmer than a conservatory and usable all year, and a look that suits period homes. The main cons are cost (more than a conservatory of the same size), a longer build, less wall space than a brick extension, and painted timber that needs occasional upkeep.
Orangery vs conservatory vs brick extension at a glance
Light: a conservatory is brightest; an orangery is bright through its lantern and tall glazing; a brick extension is darkest unless it has rooflights.
Warmth: an orangery and a brick extension are comfortable all year; a conservatory is harder to keep warm in winter and cool in summer.
Wall space: a brick extension has the most; an orangery has piers and some solid wall; a conservatory has little.
Cost: a conservatory is usually the least expensive of the three per square metre; an orangery costs more because of its insulated roof, lantern and joinery.
Build: a conservatory is quickest; an orangery and a brick extension take longer because of the roof and building regulations work.
Look: an orangery sits most naturally beside a period house.
The Pros of a Traditional Orangery
1. Elegant Design That Suits Period Homes
Orangeries are ideal for properties with architectural character. We use painted hardwood, combined with brick or stone bases and refined glazing. These elements help our orangeries feel like a natural extension of the home.
Unlike glass box extensions, a traditional orangery offers a softer, more timeless look that complements listed buildings and Georgian or Victorian styles.
2. Light Without Overexposure
The solid roof combined with a glazed lantern brings in natural light without the harsh heat gain of a full glass roof. It’s one of the biggest pros of an orangery: daylight from above, with more control over temperature and shade.
This balance makes orangeries feel bright and comfortable all year round. We specify all glass with performance coatings to manage heat, glare, and clarity.
3. True Year-Round Living
Thanks to high insulation standards and carefully selected roof types, orangeries are warm in winter and cool in summer. We specify underfloor heating, high-performance glazing and solar control glass to suit each orangery.
This makes them suitable for everyday use, whether as a kitchen, dining room, or family lounge. The insulated perimeter roof is the key difference: a solid, insulated roof loses far less heat than a glazed one, so an orangery is much easier to heat than a conservatory with an all-glass roof.
4. Flexible Layout Options
Because we build orangeries to order, the layout is up to you: an open-plan kitchen, garden room, breakfast area or multi-use space, with lighting zones, heating and storage planned from the outset.
5. Planning Permission Is Often Straightforward
In England, many orangeries can be built under permitted development, and where an application is needed we can prepare it for you. Our guide to orangery planning permission sets out the limits.
6. Adds Character and Value
Unlike more generic extensions, a bespoke orangery can increase the value of your home while also enhancing its identity. Buyers tend to value it as a genuine extra room rather than a summer-only space, and with the right design, it feels like it has always been there. We don’t quote a percentage uplift, because it depends heavily on the house, the local market and how well the orangery is built.
The architectural features of an orangery (tall glazing, cornicing, French doors, timber detailing) all contribute to a finish that feels refined and lasting.
The Cons (and When Another Option Might Be Better)
1. Less Wall Space for Kitchens or Utilities
Because orangeries include more glazing than a brick extension, there’s less wall area for tall units or wall-mounted fixtures: less than a brick extension, though more than a conservatory, since the piers and house wall can take units. If you’re planning a kitchen with lots of cabinetry, a hybrid layout may be a better fit, and our orangery vs brick extension comparison sets out the trade-offs.
We sometimes combine an orangery with a small adjoining utility space or back room to solve this.
2. More Complex Roof Construction and Design
The roof types we use, typically flat roofs with glazed lanterns, require careful design and waterproofing. These aren’t off-the-shelf solutions. A poorly planned orangery can also suffer from overheating, condensation or an awkward layout, so glazing, ventilation and orientation need specifying from day one; we cover the pitfalls in our guide to mistakes to avoid when building an orangery.
That said, they’re engineered for long-term durability and built to current building regulations.
3. A Longer Build
An orangery takes longer than a conservatory. There are foundations and piers to build, a structural roof to construct and insulate, a bespoke lantern and joinery to make, and building regulations inspections along the way. It is typically closer to a small extension in programme than to a conservatory, so plan for more time and more disruption at the back of the house.
4. May Not Suit Ultra-Modern Homes
While orangeries suit heritage properties exceptionally well, they may not be the best choice for sharp-edged new builds. In those cases, a modern orangery with slimmer frames, a frameless glass box extension or a winter garden might be more appropriate.
We’ll always advise you if there’s a better structural fit for your property.
5. Requires a Higher Initial Budget Than Conservatories
A traditional orangery is a more substantial build than a conservatory. It uses higher-quality materials, involves more detailed joinery, and is built to match the home. Our orangery cost guide sets out typical prices.
The cost of a traditional orangery reflects this, but so does the final result. It’s a long-term investment in both your lifestyle and your property.
6. Painted Hardwood Needs Some Upkeep
Painted hardwood lasts for decades, but it isn’t maintenance-free. Expect to wash down frames and check seals regularly, and to repaint or touch up exposed faces every several years, more often on south-facing or coastal elevations. Aluminium-clad options reduce this.
If you’re weighing up traditional hardwood orangeries, talk to our design team and we’ll help you get it right from the start.
