What is an orangery? Orangeries and conservatories do have some features in common but they also some distinct differences. Historically, Orangeries were usually constructed to be south facing so they could take advantage of the maximum possible daylight. They were built using brick or stone bases, brick or stone pillars and a distinctive corbel gutter. Many orangeries featured tall windows to maximise available light during the afternoon, and their north facing walls were frequently built without windows in heavy brick. Modern orangeries are also usually built from stone, brick and hardwood. However, improvements in glass, such as argon filled glazed units and self cleaning glass as well as other materials and insulation technological improvements have led to valid alternatives to traditional construction methods.
Whilst there are some differences in the walls and windows with orangeries, the main difference from conservatories is in the construction of their roofs. As a general rule, a conservatory roof will typically be more than three quarters glazed, while an orangery roof will be less than three quarters glazed. Orangeries attached to homes usually feature particular type of orangery roof or ‘roof lantern‘. Improved modern orangery design techniques and insulation technologies have meant that more and more new orangeries are not built south facing, but simply where they suit a property best. In order to make this a possibility, light maximising techniques are utilised in order to make the most of available natural sunlight.
