What is an orangery?
An orangery blends solid walls and a warm, insulated roof with generous glazing. The look is more architectural than a typical conservatory, often with a flat roof perimeter and a feature roof lantern. That balance makes it ideal for kitchen-diners, family rooms or a calm home office.
Design choices that matter
Roof and daylight. Most projects use a warm flat roof with a central lantern for controlled daylight. Others opt for a fully warm/solid roof with roof windows for a quieter, extension-like feel.
Glazing specification. Prioritise low-U glass, warm-edge spacers and solar control where the room faces strong sun. Laminated panes add security and reduce noise on busy roads.
Doors and frames. Bifold doors open the space to the garden; sliders give wide, uninterrupted views; French sets suit period homes. uPVC offers value; aluminium delivers slimmer sightlines and modern colours.
Layout and flow. If you remove the existing back wall to create an open-through layout, plan for structural steel and airtight finishing. Good detailing is what makes an orangery perform like a true living space in winter and summer.
Planning & Building Regulations (plain English)
Many single-storey rear additions can proceed under Permitted Development when they meet limits for height and projection. Others use a simple Householder application. Building Regulations usually apply for structure, energy performance, safety glazing and electrics. A competent installer will handle drawings, structural calculations and inspections so your orangery is compliant end to end.
Comfort recipe: heat, light, ventilation
Heating: underfloor heating for even warmth, or radiators sized for the new space.
Lighting: combine perimeter downlights with pendants or feature lighting over the island/table.
Ventilation: trickle vents, opening lights and considered cross-flow keep summer temperatures comfortable.
Small touches—like shading, low-g glazing in a lantern and good blinds—make a big difference to everyday comfort.
Mistakes to avoid
Oversizing a lantern without solar control and shading.
Skipping structural design when widening the opening into the house.
Under-insulating parapets and lantern kerbs, which invites cold spots and condensation.
Choosing frames without thinking about matching colours and sightlines across the home.
A smarter way to compare quotes
Most homeowners find the research stage time-consuming: ringing around, juggling site visits and trying to compare dissimilar quotes. A better approach is to define your specification early (roof build-up, glazing, door type, colours) and then request like-for-like quotes from vetted teams who have availability for your dates. Independent guidance helps you avoid pressure selling and ensures the numbers match the spec.
Want the full checklist?
You can read a concise, step-by-step orangery guide with design choices, planning pointers and a printable fitting checklist on bestpricevalue.com. They also provide tools and services to help you prepare a realistic brief and compare quotes fairly.
