What is a conservatory and what is an orangery? The choice in home improvements is very wide today. There are a great many different type of ‘conservatory systems’ on the market. In recent years technology has moved on to provide modular products, kit conservatories and orangeries as well as other more structurally based products.
However if you’re not sure what is a conservatory or an orangery at Newlite, we give some clarity to these two very different types of glazed extension.
What is a Conservatory?
A conservatory comprises a structure that is set on a base. The complete construction generally has a glass roof and glass walls. A conservatory can either have a brick, stone or other material at low level or some conservatories are glazed right down to floor level.
Historically, conservatories were primarily designed as an environment for fruits and plants not designed for the UK climate to have an environment to grow.
The big difference between an orangery and a conservatory is that over 80% of the structure is glass.
The development of double glazed units can be credited with bringing the conservatory into mainstream homes. Conservatories were previously single glazed and therefore very cold in winter and too hot in the summer. Whilst this problem still largely exists, insulated glazed did help to make these better.
Available are a choice of the traditional aluminium, PVCu or timber framed conservatories. These are typical of the structure fitted in the home with a built base and the overall conservatory being made out of window and door frames.
To summarise a Conservatory will:
- Have substantially more glass in its construction
- Comprise a base and dwarf wall.
- Can have materials to match brickwork or stone on the house
- Can still be cold in the winter, warm in the summer.
What is an Orangery?
An orangery comprises built pillars and a base. In addition there are special gutters a lantern roof rather than a full roof and a visible parapet.
Orangeries have been around far longer than conservatories. Like conservatories they were also intended to cultivate fruit. The earliest designs of these were warmer and better insulated than conservatories.
To summarise an orangery will comprise:
- More built elements such as parapet, pillars and walls.
- Have less glass than a conservatory and standalone windows/doors.
- Brick and stone can match those of the property.
- Is the more ‘all year round room’.
What products are available today?
Both conservatories and orangeries benefit from the latest glass, material and construction technology.
There are a huge range of roof designs, skylights, modular and composite constructions and other advances. These not only make for better insulated construction but one that is faster than ever to erect.
How we help homeowners enhance their conservatory.
If you already have a conservatory installed there are several options for improving it. Much will depend on the age of the conservatory. For this we offer a free consultation service. Generally you can replace old polycarbonate roofing with the latest thermally efficient, self cleaning safety glass. You can also replace your windows and doors.
We even help customers that are looking to change their existing conservatory to something more modern. The LivinRoom Orangery is one of our latest generation products that moves away from the traditional bolt on conservatory. LivinRoom creates a fully useable all year round room.
It uses the world renowned Ultraframe roof system coupled to an engineered internal framework is added. This is then plastered to give the effect of a full Orangery. To the LivinRoom orangery you can add any decoration, lighting, speakers and a choice of windows an doors. It also comes with a variety of decorative Cornice and aluminium guttering.
The result is a stunning new Orangery. One that is warm all year round, highly energy efficient and can add real value and a wow factor to your home.
Find out more at Newlite.
At Newlite we supply and install Orangeries from the very latest materials in aluminium, pvcu or timber. All are the latest insulated products. These are further complemented with a range of bifolding doors, lantern roofs, windows and French Doors.
Are conservatories come in traditional designs such as Edwardian, Victorian, P Shaped and lean to’s. You can also integrate our full range of windows with these. Contact us for a free quotation and consultation.
