What is the Difference Between Conservatory and Orangery?

The main differences between a conservatory and an orangery are their construction, insulation, and appearance. Here are the key distinctions:

1. Construction:

• Conservatory: A conservatory is primarily made of glass, with a low brick base wall and a pitched glazed roof. It usually has around 75% glazing on the roof.
• Orangery: An orangery is a brick structure with large glass windows and a flat roof with a glass lantern. It typically has less than 75% of the overall roof area covered in glass.

1. Insulation:

• Conservatory: Conservatories are predominantly made of glass, making them susceptible to fluctuations in temperature, being hot in summer and cold in winter. Modern conservatories have insulated glazing, which helps to improve their energy efficiency.
• Orangery: Orangeries have solid walls compared to conservatories, making them warmer. The brick structure provides more insulation than a fully glazed structure.

1. Appearance and Function:

• Conservatory: Conservatories were originally intended to allow people to grow tender plants year-round and are now popular for relaxation and entertaining. They help to bring the feeling of the outdoors inside.
• Orangery: Orangeries were originally designed to capture as much sunlight as possible to grow fruit and exotic plants. They add elegance to a property and are often considered a more grand and impressive structure compared to a conservatory.

In summary, conservatories are primarily glass structures that allow for a seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors, while orangeries have more solid walls and provide better insulation. Both can add value to a property, with orangeries potentially adding more value due to their more solid construction.

Comparative Table: Conservatory vs Orangery

Here is a table summarizing the differences between a conservatory and an orangery:

Both conservatories and orangeries are built on a solid concrete foundation, but they have different structures and styles. Conservatories are typically fully glazed with a pitched roof, while orangeries have a brick base and a flat roof with a glass lantern or central skylight. Conservatories are often used for housing plants, whereas orangeries are designed for growing fruit and exotic plants, adding elegance to the property.