If you are weighing up adding one to your home, the first thing to get your head round is the different types of conservatory and how they suit different houses and gardens. The style you pick changes the light, the shape of the room and, honestly, the price. Here is a plain guide to the main options and who each one tends to work for.
A conservatory is not just glass bolted onto the back of the house. The roof shape, the footprint and how it meets your existing brickwork all affect how the room feels day to day. Get it right and you gain a bright, usable space you live in all year. Get it wrong and you end up with a room that bakes in July and freezes in January.
Around York and North Yorkshire we fit conservatories on everything from Victorian terraces to modern estates near the ring road, and the best style is usually the one that suits the house rather than the one that looks flashiest in a brochure.
The lean-to is the simplest shape. It has a single sloping roof that leans against the house, a bit like a very smart glass carport. Clean lines, no fuss, and it works brilliantly on bungalows or where you have limited height under the eaves.
The Victorian is the classic you picture when someone says conservatory. It has a rounded or faceted front, usually three or five facets, a steep roof and ornate detailing. It suits period terraces and older properties, of which York has plenty.
The Edwardian swaps the rounded front of the Victorian for a square or rectangular footprint. That flat front means you get more usable floor area for furniture, which is why a lot of people prefer it for a dining room or family space.
A gable conservatory takes the Edwardian shape but lifts the front wall up into a tall triangular gable, rather than sloping the roof back. The result is a grand, high-ceilinged room that feels bigger than its footprint. Lovely on a house with the wall height to carry it.
The P-shaped conservatory combines two styles, often a lean-to along one side and a Victorian or Edwardian section on the other, to form a P shape in plan. It is really a way of creating two zones, say a dining area and a sitting area, in one build.
The T-shaped is similar in spirit. A central projection sticks out into the garden with wings either side, forming a T. It suits big properties and is often used to line up a central section with a set of French or patio doors.
If you like the idea of a conservatory but want something more solid and roomlike, an orangery sits between a conservatory and a full extension. It has more brickwork, a flat perimeter roof with a glazed lantern in the middle and a proper ceiling feel inside. Our conservatories and orangeries in York page runs through both if you are torn between the two.
A glazed roof lantern is often what makes an orangery feel special. If you love that flood of overhead light but do not want the full orangery build, a lantern in a flat roof extension can give you the same effect. Have a look at our roof lanterns and flat roof lights if that appeals.
Prices vary a lot with size, glazing spec and groundworks, so treat these as broad 2026 ranges rather than a quote. A modest lean-to often starts somewhere around 10,000 to 15,000 pounds. A mid-size Victorian or Edwardian tends to land in the 15,000 to 30,000 pound bracket. Larger P-shaped and gable builds, and orangeries, commonly run from 30,000 pounds upwards depending on the finish.
The only way to know your number is a proper survey, so request a free quote and we will measure up and talk it through with no pressure.
Whichever style you choose, spend your money on the glazing and the roof rather than skimping. Modern self-cleaning, solar-control glass and a well-insulated roof make the difference between a room you use every day and one you only sit in for a few weeks a year. A decent ventilation plan and, if the budget stretches, underfloor heating help too.
A lean-to is usually the most affordable because it has the simplest roof and shape. Costs still depend on size, glazing and any groundwork, so get a quote for your exact plan.
Many conservatories fall under permitted development, but limits apply on size, height and how close you build to boundaries, and conservation areas have extra rules. Always check the current requirements with your local authority before you commit.
Broadly, a conservatory is mostly glass, while an orangery has more brickwork, a flat perimeter roof and a glazed lantern, so it feels closer to a solid extension. The line between the two has blurred over the years.
Style matters less than spec here. A good roof, energy efficient glass and proper insulation keep any shape comfortable. Solid or tiled roofs hold heat better than fully glazed ones if year-round warmth is your priority.
A straightforward conservatory is often up within two to four weeks once groundworks are done, though larger or more complex builds take longer. Weather and site conditions can affect the timeline.
Want to see the full range of styles, roofs and finishes side by side? Download our latest brochure, or request a free quote and we will pop out for a proper look.