What Is an Orangery? Orangery vs Conservatory Explained

If you are looking to add light and space to your home, you have probably come across both conservatories and orangeries and wondered what actually separates them. They can look similar in a brochure, but they are built differently and feel different to live in. Here is a plain guide to what an orangery is, and how the orangery vs conservatory question really breaks down.

An orangery is a room that sits somewhere between a conservatory and a brick extension. It has more solid wall than a conservatory, usually chunky brick or stone piers between the glass, and a flat roof with a glazed lantern in the middle rather than a fully glazed roof. The result is a room that feels more like part of the house and less like a glass box bolted onto the back.

Where the orangery came from

The name gives away its history. Orangeries began as grand garden rooms on country estates, built to shelter orange and other citrus trees through the winter. They had thick walls and large windows to trap warmth and light. Today's orangeries keep that solid, substantial feel but are built as comfortable living spaces rather than plant houses.

Orangery vs conservatory: the main differences

The two overlap, but a few things set them apart:

• Walls. A conservatory is mostly glass, with slim frames and often a low dwarf wall. An orangery has more solid wall, with brick or stone piers between the glazed sections, so it feels more enclosed and cosy.
• Roof. A conservatory usually has a fully glazed or pitched glass roof. An orangery has a flat perimeter roof with a glazed lantern or roof lantern set into the centre, which floods the middle of the room with light while keeping the edges solid.
• Feel. A conservatory feels bright and open, closer to being outside. An orangery feels like a proper room, more of a natural continuation of the house.
• Ceiling. Orangeries often have a flat internal ceiling around the lantern, sometimes with recessed lights, which makes the space feel finished and rooms feel warmer in winter.

Which feels more like part of the house?

This is usually the deciding factor. Because an orangery has more masonry, a solid roof perimeter and often a plastered ceiling, it holds heat better and feels more like an integral room you would use all year round. A conservatory is lighter and airier and connects you more with the garden, but a cheaper one can feel cold in winter and hot in summer unless you spend on good glass and a decent roof.

Neither is better in a blanket sense. It comes down to whether you want a bright garden room or a solid extra room that happens to have a lot of light.

What about cost?

An orangery generally costs more than a conservatory of the same size, because there is more brickwork, a more involved roof and more finishing inside. As a rough guide in 2026, orangeries often start from around £20,000 and rise well beyond that for larger or higher-spec builds, while conservatories typically span roughly £10,000 to £30,000 depending on style and size. Those are ballpark figures to help you plan, not a quote. Every home and site is different, so the only way to get a real price is to have someone measure up.

If you are weighing the two, our conservatories and orangeries page shows both, and it is worth getting quotes for each so you can compare the value against how you want to use the room.

Planning and Building Regulations

Like conservatories, many orangeries can be built under permitted development, but there are limits on size, height and boundaries, and different rules apply in conservation areas, which parts of York fall into. Because an orangery has more solid structure, Building Regulations are more likely to come into play than with a lightweight conservatory, depending on the design and how it connects to the house. These rules change and depend on your exact property, so check the current position with your local authority before you commit.

So which should you choose?

Go for a conservatory if you want the brightest, airiest room for the money and you love the connection to the garden. Choose an orangery if you want a space that feels like a genuine extension of the house, sits comfortably against a period or higher-end property, and gets used through a full Yorkshire winter. A good installer will happily walk you through both and be honest about which suits your home and budget.

FAQs

What is the difference between an orangery and a conservatory?

An orangery has more solid wall, brick or stone piers between the glass and a flat roof with a central glazed lantern. A conservatory is mostly glass with a fully glazed or pitched glass roof. In short, an orangery feels more like a solid room and a conservatory feels more like a garden room.

Is an orangery warmer than a conservatory?

Generally yes. The extra brickwork, the solid roof perimeter and the often plastered ceiling help an orangery hold heat better, so it tends to be more comfortable in winter. A conservatory can match it, but usually needs good glazing and a quality roof to do so.

Is an orangery cheaper than an extension?

Usually yes. An orangery tends to cost less than a full brick extension of the same size because it uses more glass and a lighter roof, while still feeling like a solid room. It often sits between a conservatory and an extension on both price and feel.

Do you need planning permission for an orangery?

Many are built under permitted development, but there are size and boundary limits, and different rules in conservation areas. Because an orangery is more substantial, Building Regulations are more likely to apply. Always check the current rules with your local authority for your specific property.

Trying to decide between the two? Download our latest brochure to see both styles, or request a free quote and we will come and measure up across York and North Yorkshire.