Conservatories and orangeries do a similar job, adding light and space, but they feel quite different to live in. If you are weighing one against the other, this guide sets out the real differences in light, warmth, cost and character so you can pick the room that suits your home. And if it turns out you only need a smaller entrance, even the best uPVC porch might be the smarter spend, so we will touch on that too.
A conservatory is mostly glass, with glazed walls and usually a glazed or lantern roof, so it feels bright and open to the garden. An orangery has more solid structure, with brick or rendered pillars, a flatter roof and a central roof lantern, so it feels more like a permanent extension of the house. Both can be lovely. The right one depends on the look you want and how you plan to use the room.
If you want to feel like you are sitting in the garden, a conservatory wins on sheer brightness. All that glass brings in light from every side and gives an airy, open feel.
An orangery trades a little of that glass for solid walls, which makes it feel cosier and more grounded, closer to a normal room with a bright glazed roof. Many people find an orangery easier to furnish, because you have proper walls for a sofa, shelves or a radiator.
Both can be comfortable all year with the right glazing, but an orangery's solid walls and insulated roof sections tend to hold heat a little better in winter and stay cooler in summer. If you want a room that feels like part of the house rather than an add-on, an orangery often edges it.
A conservatory can be just as usable with modern energy efficient glass, a solar control coating and a well specified roof. It comes down to how much glass you want versus how much wall.
As you would expect, the extra brickwork and structure in an orangery usually make it dearer. Broad 2026 guides, supplied and fitted:
Prices vary a lot with size and spec, so treat these as ballparks and get a quote for your own plans. Our conservatories and orangeries range covers both ends, and if a roof lantern is the feature you are after, our roof lanterns and flat roof lights show how much light one can bring in.
A conservatory tends to suit gardens and homes where you want maximum light and a strong link to outside. An orangery suits people who want a proper extra room that feels solid and warm, and it often sits more comfortably against period brickwork here in York.
There is no wrong answer. Think about whether you want a bright garden room or a solid living space, and let that lead.
Sometimes the real need is not a big glazed room at all but a tidy, warm entrance. A good porch keeps draughts out of the hallway, gives you somewhere for coats and muddy boots, and adds a bit of security and kerb appeal. If that sounds closer to what you want, a uPVC porch is a far smaller spend than a conservatory or orangery and can be a genuinely good buy.
A conservatory is mostly glass with glazed walls and roof, so it feels bright and open. An orangery has more solid brick or rendered walls with a flat roof and central lantern, so it feels more like a permanent extension.
Generally yes, the solid walls and insulated roof sections of an orangery hold heat a little better. That said, a conservatory with modern energy efficient glazing can be comfortable all year too.
An orangery usually costs more because of the extra brickwork and structure. As a rough 2026 guide, conservatories often run 10,000 to 30,000 pounds and orangeries 20,000 to 45,000 pounds or more. Prices vary, so get a quote.
Like conservatories, many fall under permitted development, but size, height and conservation areas can change that. Rules vary, so check the current requirements with your local authority or ask your installer to confirm.
Want to compare both in detail? Download our latest brochure, or request a free quote and we will pop out for a look.