Both are fantastic ways to add some much needed extra space, both can be filled with natural light and both offer a way to boost the value of your home, but which is right for you? Time to compare orangery vs extension.
Although both add space to a home, orangeries and extensions also have some key differences which can make one option more suitable than the other for certain types of property, as well as when it comes to their intended use.
If you are struggling to decide which will be right for your needs and home, our guide is here to help. We explain how they are different, what each can offer and what to expect in terms of cost.
Article continues belowExtension vs orangery – key differences
Before looking into the pros and cons of extensions and orangeries, it is important that you understand how they are different. Only in this way will you know whether an orangery extension or a more standard type of structure will make the most sense for you.
It is useful to begin by pointing out that an orangery is a different type of structure to a conservatory – in short they are less glass, more wall, as Claire Long, marketing director at Sherbourne Windows explains.
"A conservatory is made mostly of glass. More than 75% of its roof and 50% of its walls are made with glass panels," she says. "An orangery is different because it is more like a traditional extension. It uses solid walls with large windows. The roof is solid and flat, but it has a glass lantern in the middle."
The main difference between extensions and orangeries lies in their construction. While extensions come in all shapes and forms, orangeries always feature lots of glazing and a few classical elements too.
"An orangery sits somewhere between a conservatory and a traditional brick extension," explains Michael Arrowsmith, manager at Etheridge Windows. "It usually has some solid elements such as brick pillars and a partial solid roof. An orangery often feels more like a permanent room than, say, a conservatory while still bringing in a lot of light from the lantern and large windows."
Extensions will always require building regulations approval while, in some cases where certain criteria are met, orangeries may not. In terms of planning permission, orangeries and extensions can fall under permitted development if they meet all the criteria.
Claire Long started Sherborne Windows with her husband Chris in the early 1990s, opening their first showroom in Farnborough, Hampshire, which displays windows and doors. A second showroom in Windlesham followed, dedicated to glazed extensions, then another two. The other faces behind Sherborne are Claire’s two brother-in- laws, Andy and Tim Long. With their combined expertise and dedication Sherborne has grown to become a trusted name in the industry delivering quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer service to homes across the region.
Michael is manager at Etheridge Windows, a family-run business established in 2019. They specialise in doors, windows and conservatories and aim to make the whole process of choosing new windows and doors stress-free.
What are the pros and cons of orangeries?
Orangeries are substantial structures. So when comparing orangeries with conservatories, it is better to consider them more akin to extensions rather than 'add-ons'. While they might have been around since the 17th century in Britain, orangery ideas have recently become really popular again – and it isn't hard to see why.
"Orangeries tend to feel substantial and integrated with the rest of the property," says Michael Arrowsmith. "The additional brickwork provides scope for insulation and wall space for furniture, lighting and heating when compared to a conservatory. Many homeowners choose an orangery when they want a year-round living room, kitchen extension ideas or dining space that feels close to a traditional extension but still full of light."
"You can use an orangery all year," adds Claire Long. "It also adds to your property value."
Orangery pros:
- Multiple uses, for example as a kitchen orangery extension
- Strong connection to the garden
- Full of natural light
- Very popular right now
- Often fall under permitted development
- Less disruptive than extensions
Orangery cons:
- Care needs to be taken to avoid overheating
- Can be more expensive depending on the complexity of the structure
- Consideration needs to be given to privacy measures
Pros and cons of traditional extensions
The pros and cons of an extension obviously very much depend on the extension in question – its success is all hinged on how well it has been designed to integrate with the original building, whether or not it sits in proportion with it, how fit it is for purpose and so on.
In terms of comparing extensions to orangeries this again comes down to the extension itself. In some cases they can be cheaper, provided the design is kept pretty standard. Additionally, extensions can fall under permitted development, just like orangeries. Both add value if well designed.
Where extensions tend to come out on top is the greater design flexibility they offer. They can be two or more storeys (although some orangeries can also span more than one storey), be easily designed to slot into and fill awkward spaces, such as side returns, and can provide more than just one room. Less glass also opens up more in the way of storage opportunities and heat loss and overheating aren't such an issue either.
Something worth considering is that if you are extending an older property and want a design in-keeping with the original building it can be hard to perfectly match an extension in. An orangery, given its traditional roots, often suits period properties very well without the need to seek out matching materials – in short, it is meant to look like a complementary addition rather than blend seamlessly.
Pros of extensions:
- More design flexibility
- Can be more than one storey
- Offer scope for multiple rooms
- More solid walls for storage and furniture placement
- Can, depending on design, be cheaper
Cons of extensions:
- More disruptive and time consuming to build
- Sometimes won't do justice to period properties
- May require planning permission depending on design
How do orangery and extension costs compare?
One of the main things people will want to look at when choosing between an extension and orangery is how they compare in terms of cost.
When it comes to extension costs you can expect to pay anything between £2,500 - 3,300/m² for a single storey structure.
This is not actually too different to orangery costs which come in at an average of £2,250/m².
With both types of addition the costs obviously very much depend on the specification you opt for.
"The biggest thing that affects orangery costs is the kind of materials you pick," picks up Claire Long. "For example, aluminium frames can cost more at first than uPVC, but they last longer and look more modern and stylish. Also, base set-up, the type of doors you pick, and how you finish the inside will all change how much you spend in the end. A small and simple design will be cheaper. A larger, special orangery with the newest features will cost more."
It is perhaps easier to control extension costs – cutting back on glass, choosing standard size windows and doors, avoiding complex angles and roof shapes, will all lower them.
Does an extension or orangery add more value to a house?
Alongside looking at how much both of these structures cost to construct, it makes sense to get an idea of the value they are likely to add to your home.
Again, how much value either adds very much depends on how well they have been executed but certainly both add more than a conservatory.
"An orangery is seen as something more lasting and fancy than a conservatory," points out Claire Long. "Some people say it can add as much value as building a full extension – 5% to 15% more, in fact."
FAQs
Is an orangery classed as an extension?
In many ways extensions and orangeries are not too different. Both might fall under permitted development providing they meet certain criteria and both add more space.
However, in some cases, orangeries might be exempt from building regulations, unlike extensions which will always require them. However, you should always check first. Certain fire safety measures need to be met – if you want your orangery to be open to the rest of the house with no separating door, building regs will almost certainly be required.
Before making your final decision, spend some time looking at all your options in terms of adding space to your home – in particular, looking at whether an extension or conservatory will make more sense in the long-term can be useful.
