Looking for local Orangeries?
Orangeries are growing in popularity as a fantastic modern glazed extension. They’re typically larger than conservatories, and seem to have become the preferred option.
What’s great with orangeries, is that they’re suitable for listed buildings and will even be granted planning permission in conservation areas – so long as the design is up to scratch.
Wood gives an orangery the style, warmth and elegance you’ll want, leaving a sense of real quality. But orangeries can also be built with uPVC and aluminium.
Orangeries offer a stylish alternative to the usual house extension, giving a light and airy space to relax all year round. They provide a multi-purpose living space, and are sometimes used as kitchen extensions.
To further the effectiveness of an orangery, a recent trend has seen sliding doors fitted to one whole side of the construction. This allows you to open up into the garden, which is particularly good in the summer months.
Orangery history
Orangeries were first seen in Italy and their name reflects what they were intended for. They were simply buildings that sheltered citrus trees during winter.
Orangeries were unheated, but were built with large south facing windows and tiled roofs. But as their popularity reached northern Europe, heating and glass roofs were added.
Decorative mouldings and pilasters were implemented later on, as they became fashionable home additions.
The UK first saw orangeries in the 17th Century. They were stone built with large sliding sash windows and lantern roofs.
These early orangeries were made from wood but painted white, to create an aesthetically pleasing outcome.
While they’re intended use may have change over the years, orangeries are still extremely popular, with large windows allowing plenty of light into the extension.
While orangeries do have a similar style to conservatories, they tend to be defined as having one or more lantern roofs. They’ll be supported by beams and the framework will be heavier than you’d find in a conservatory.
However, this isn’t the way all orangeries are built. You’ll still find some that are stone or brick built, with windows inserted. And you may find you prefer this style.