subject: Why An Orangery Is Better Than A Normal Conservatory [print this page] Some people believe that an orangery is better than a normal conservatory. Most people are familiar with conservatories, but what exactly is an orangery? Back in the day, orangeries were very popular in Holland and their popularity soon spread to Great Britain in the 1600s, although they didn't take off fully until the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
The original idea behind orangeries was that the merchants who bought them wanted orange trees in harsher climates. That's why orangeries were created to allow as much sunlight in as possible.
In terms of design, an orangery is somewhere between a conservatory and a standard room. There's much less glass in an orangery than a conservatory. Orangeries have more wood or brick and this can make them more expensive. One of the great things about orangeries, and why many people think they're better than a normal conservatory, is that they offer so much more privacy.
The main difference between an orangery and a conservatory is that orangeries have a ceiling around the edge. This room-like feel is where the sense of privacy comes from. Yet, they also offer the benefits of conservatories, as the glazed ceiling allows light to flood in. The inclusion of so much more brick and wood in the orangery makes it a good choice for those who want to use their extension all year round.
Another reason why owners think an orangery is better than a conservatory is that an orangery is simply more beautiful. With its solid structure complemented by light that floods the room, an orangery can be more architecturally desirable than a conservatory.
It can also be easier to get planning permission on an orangery than on a conservatory, particularly if you have a Georgian-style house. The simple design of an orangery will often persuade planning committees, who see them as very much in keeping with the rest of the property.
Orangeries can be better than conservatories in other ways, too fitting them with a range of stunning doors, such as folding or sliding variants that's not always possible in a conservatory. This makes accessing the garden a pleasure. With the doors wide open on a warm summer's evening, there's no more pleasant place to be than in your orangery.
Ultimately, though, the main reason most buyers decide an orangery is better than a conservatory is down to style they simply look fantastic. Whichever you choose, you're sure to enjoy the year-round benefits for many years to come.
