What Is An Orangery?

Customers searching for a brand new home extension will be very familiar with a conservatory, but perhaps not quite as acquainted with an orangery. However, once you’ve seen an orangery, you won’t forget it.

Traditionally used for growing orange trees (hence the “orangery” name) back in the 17^th Century and the preserve of Europe’s wealthiest landowners, they would often be built completely separate from their lavish living quarters.

Orangeries are nowadays available as add-on luxurious lifestyle extensions and typically feature a flat or lantern roof, columns and pillars.

Offering considerable solidity and insulation, an orangery is predominantly constructed from brickwork (walls, base) which for many people makes it a more natural looking extension for properties than a conservatory. This high volume of brickwork is useful if an orangery is being fitted at a residence where privacy is compromised.

Despite all this brickwork, it contains large glazed windows, giving occupants the most stunning external views.

We craft our orangeries in three choices of material:

• UPVC
• Aluminium
• Heritage

One issue that may cause a prospective home extension buyer to waver purchasing an orangery is cost as it is more expensive than a conservatory. But you need to keep in mind the exceptional value it will add to a property. Factor in too the obvious enjoyment that you will get out of the space for many, many years.

Planning permission for orangeries

No planning permission will need to be sought for an orangery that has “permitted development” rights. For it to be a “permitted development” it must satisfy a number of limits and conditions, including these:

• No more than half the area of land around the “original house” would be covered by additions or other buildings.
• No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
• Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres.
• Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house.
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.

If the orangery fails to meet the full list of limits and conditions, you must obtain planning permission from your local authority. This requires you to submit a planning application with supporting information.

Opt for an Orion orangery

Orion Windows is home to Yorkshire’s most extensive orangery range if an orangery is more to your liking than a conservatory.

Request a copy of our Conservatories & Orangeries brochure to find out what’s possible.