If you’re looking to extend your living space and bring more natural light into your home, you’ve probably found yourself weighing up the conservatory vs orangery debate. Both options have been popular with UK homeowners for decades, but the difference between a conservatory and an orangery isn’t always clear — and there may be a third option that gives you the best of both worlds.
In this guide, we’ll explain exactly what separates the two, compare them on cost, planning, thermal performance and value, and explore why an oak framed garden room could be the smartest choice for your home.
What Is a Conservatory?
A conservatory is a glazed structure attached to the rear or side of a house, designed to let in maximum natural light. The defining characteristics of a conservatory are its fully glazed roof and walls that are predominantly glass, typically sitting on a low dwarf wall of around 60cm in height.
Conservatories became hugely popular in the UK during the 1980s and 1990s as a relatively affordable way to add extra living space. They come in a variety of styles, including Victorian, Edwardian, lean-to, and P-shaped designs.
The main appeal of a conservatory is the feeling of being outdoors whilst remaining sheltered. However, this heavy reliance on glass creates well-known drawbacks: conservatories tend to overheat in summer and lose heat rapidly in winter, making them uncomfortable for much of the year without significant investment in blinds, heating, and upgraded glazing.
What Is an Orangery?
An orangery is a more substantial structure that originated in 17th-century grand estates, where they were used to shelter citrus trees during the colder months. Modern orangeries retain the architectural character of their heritage counterparts whilst functioning as fully integrated living spaces.
The key feature that distinguishes an orangery from a conservatory is its construction. An orangery has solid walls — typically brick or rendered blockwork — with large window openings, and a flat or slightly pitched solid roof with a central glass lantern that allows natural light to flood in from above. This combination of solid walls and a glazed lantern roof creates a space that feels like a proper room rather than a glass box.
Because of their more substantial construction, orangeries offer far better thermal performance than conservatories. They can be used comfortably throughout the year and feel like a natural extension of the house rather than a bolt-on addition.
Key Differences: Conservatory vs Orangery
Understanding the difference between a conservatory and an orangery comes down to several fundamental areas. Here’s how they compare across the features that matter most.
Structure and Construction
A conservatory is a lightweight structure. Its frame is typically uPVC, aluminium, or timber, and the walls are almost entirely glass. The frame carries the weight of the glazed roof, which means the structural engineering is relatively straightforward.
An orangery, by contrast, has load-bearing walls built from brick, stone, or blockwork. These walls support a solid perimeter roof, with the central glazed lantern sitting within it. This makes an orangery a more architecturally integrated structure that ties into the existing building more seamlessly.
For homeowners who want the structural integrity and character of an orangery but with a warmer, more distinctive material palette, an oak framed extension delivers exactly that. The exposed oak frame becomes a design feature in its own right, something that neither uPVC conservatories nor standard brick orangeries can offer.
Roof Type
This is often the quickest way to tell the two apart. A conservatory has a fully glazed roof — either polycarbonate or glass panels — in a pitched, hipped, or lean-to configuration. An orangery has a predominantly solid, insulated perimeter roof with a flat or gently pitched profile, incorporating a glazed lantern in the centre.
The orangery approach is thermally superior. A solid roof with proper insulation — such as Kingspan TEK panels — dramatically reduces heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, creating a far more comfortable year-round environment.
Glass-to-Wall Ratio
A conservatory is typically 75% or more glass. An orangery usually sits at around 40-50% glass, with the balance made up of solid, insulated walls. This balance gives an orangery a more grounded, room-like feel whilst still delivering excellent natural light through the larger window openings and roof lantern.
Thermal Performance
This is where the conservatory struggles most. A fully glazed roof and walls create a greenhouse effect in summer and significant heat loss in winter. Even with modern double or triple glazing, a conservatory will never match the thermal efficiency of a properly insulated structure.
An orangery performs significantly better. Insulated walls and a solid roof with a glazed lantern mean that heat is retained in winter and excess solar gain is controlled in summer. For many homeowners, the ability to use the room comfortably in every season is the deciding factor.
Oak framed garden rooms and extensions take thermal performance even further. At Sussex Oak Structures, we use Kingspan TEK structural insulated panels in combination with the oak frame, delivering outstanding U-values that meet or exceed current building regulations. The result is a space that stays warm in January and cool in July.
Conservatory vs Orangery vs Oak Framed Garden Room: Comparison Table
| Feature | Conservatory | Orangery | Oak Framed Garden Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | £10,000 – £30,000 | £25,000 – £60,000+ | £30,000 – £70,000+ |
| Roof type | Fully glazed | Solid with glass lantern | Solid tiled/slated (vaulted oak inside) |
| Wall construction | Mostly glass on dwarf wall | Brick/render with large windows | Oak frame with SIPs & glazing |
| Year-round usability | Poor – too hot in summer, too cold in winter | Good – solid construction helps regulate temperature | Excellent – fully insulated with SIPs |
| Natural light | Excellent | Very good | Very good (large glazed openings) |
| Character & aesthetics | Dated unless high-spec | Elegant and traditional | Exceptional – exposed oak is unmatched |
| Lifespan | 15 – 25 years | 40 – 60+ years | 100+ years (often centuries) |
| Planning permission | Usually permitted development | Usually PD, but more likely to need approval | Often PD; specialist guidance available |
| Added property value | 3 – 5% | 5 – 10% | 8 – 12%+ |
Cost Comparison: Conservatory vs Orangery vs Oak Garden Room
Budget is understandably one of the first considerations for most homeowners. Here’s how the three options compare in terms of typical costs.
Conservatory Costs
A basic uPVC conservatory starts from around £10,000, with mid-range options running from £15,000 to £25,000. High-specification conservatories with hardwood frames, underfloor heating, and premium glazing can reach £30,000 or more. However, even at the top end, a conservatory rarely achieves the year-round comfort or visual impact of an orangery or oak framed room.
Orangery Costs
Orangeries are a step up in price, reflecting their more substantial construction. Expect to pay from £25,000 for a modest orangery, with most projects falling between £35,000 and £60,000. Large or architecturally complex orangeries can exceed £80,000. The investment buys better thermal performance, a more integrated look, and greater longevity.
Oak Framed Garden Room Costs
An oak framed garden room typically costs from £30,000 to £70,000 or more, depending on size, specification, and complexity. While this sits at a similar level to an orangery, the value proposition is considerably stronger. You get a structure built from premium natural materials, designed to last for generations, and crafted with traditional joinery that becomes more beautiful as the oak silvers over time.
When you factor in the lifespan — a well-built oak frame will last for centuries, compared to 15-25 years for a conservatory — the cost per year of use is significantly lower. It’s also worth noting that an oak framed addition typically adds a greater percentage to your property’s value than either a conservatory or orangery.
Planning Permission: Conservatory vs Orangery
One of the common questions in the orangery vs conservatory debate concerns planning permission. The good news is that both typically fall under permitted development rights, meaning you won’t need to submit a formal application — provided certain conditions are met.
These conditions include limits on the total area of extensions, maximum heights, proximity to boundaries, and the proportion of the garden that can be covered. The rules differ slightly depending on whether your home is detached, semi-detached, or terraced.
Orangeries are slightly more likely to require planning permission than conservatories, particularly because their more substantial construction can bring them closer to the thresholds for building regulations approval. Any structure with a solid roof covering more than 50% of its footprint may be treated differently from a predominantly glazed structure.
If you live in a conservation area, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), national park, or your home is a listed building, permitted development rights are more restricted, and you should assume that planning permission will be required.
At Sussex Oak Structures, we manage the planning process for our clients as part of every project. Our experience working with local planning authorities across Sussex means we understand what’s likely to be approved and can design around any constraints from the outset.
Which Adds More Value to Your Home?
If you’re investing in extending your home, it’s natural to consider the return. Estate agents consistently report that a poorly built or dated conservatory can actually detract from a property’s appeal, while a well-designed orangery or oak framed room is seen as a genuine asset.
A standard conservatory may add around 3-5% to your property’s value, but this figure can drop if the conservatory is ageing, poorly insulated, or uses dated materials. Buyers increasingly view standard conservatories as a maintenance liability rather than a selling point.
An orangery, with its more integrated design and superior build quality, typically adds 5-10% to the value of a home. It’s seen as a proper room rather than an afterthought, which resonates with buyers.
An oak framed garden room or oak framed extension has the potential to add even more — often 8-12% or beyond. The combination of premium materials, outstanding craftsmanship, and a structure that improves with age makes it a genuinely aspirational feature. Buyers recognise the difference between a mass-produced addition and a bespoke oak framed structure, and they are willing to pay a premium for it.
You can see examples of how our oak framed garden rooms and extensions transform properties in our project portfolio.
The Oak Framed Alternative: Best of Both Worlds
For homeowners who want the light and garden connection of a conservatory, the year-round comfort and solidity of an orangery, and something with genuine architectural character that will last for generations, an oak framed garden room is the answer.
Here’s why more and more homeowners across Sussex and Surrey are choosing oak framed structures over traditional conservatories and orangeries:
Unmatched Character
There is simply nothing that compares to the warmth and presence of an exposed green oak frame. Each beam is individually crafted using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, creating a structure that is as much a work of craftsmanship as it is a building. As the oak seasons and silvers, the character only deepens. To understand why oak is such an exceptional building material, it helps to appreciate its unique combination of strength, beauty, and longevity.
Year-Round Comfort
Unlike a conservatory, an oak framed garden room is a fully insulated, building-regulations-compliant structure. The combination of the oak frame with Kingspan TEK structural insulated panels creates a thermally efficient envelope that keeps the room comfortable in every season. There’s no need for secondary heating in winter or fans in summer — the building does the work.
Bespoke Design
Every oak framed garden room we build at Sussex Oak Structures is designed from scratch to suit the client’s property, lifestyle, and budget. Our bespoke design service means your garden room will be perfectly proportioned, positioned for the best light, and detailed to complement your home’s existing architecture — whether it’s a period cottage or a contemporary new build.
Seamless Integration
An oak framed garden room or extension doesn’t look bolted on. The solid walls, tiled roof, and exposed oak frame make it feel like a natural part of the house. Internally, the vaulted oak ceiling creates a sense of volume and warmth that flat-roofed orangeries and fully glazed conservatories simply cannot replicate.
Built to Last
A typical conservatory has a lifespan of 15 to 25 years before it needs replacing. An orangery may last 40 to 60 years. An oak framed structure, built with properly sourced green oak and traditional joinery, is designed to stand for centuries. Many medieval oak framed buildings across Sussex are still standing today, a testament to the durability of the material and the craft.
Making the Right Choice for Your Home
The conservatory vs orangery decision ultimately depends on your priorities, budget, and how you plan to use the space. If budget is the primary concern and you simply want a bright, enclosed area for the warmer months, a conservatory may suffice. If you want a more substantial, year-round living space with better thermal performance, an orangery is the stronger choice.
But if you want a space that combines the best qualities of both — abundant natural light, outstanding insulation, genuine architectural character, and a structure that will last for generations — then an oak framed garden room from Sussex Oak Structures is worth serious consideration.
To discuss your project and explore what’s possible, get in touch with our team or call us on 01293 851287. We’ll talk through your ideas, advise on the best approach for your property, and provide a detailed quotation with no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between a conservatory and an orangery?
The main difference is in the roof and wall structure. A conservatory has a fully glazed roof and predominantly glass walls, typically sitting on a low dwarf wall. An orangery has a solid, insulated roof with a central glass lantern and more substantial brick or rendered walls with larger window openings. Orangeries feel more like a permanent room, while conservatories feel more like an enclosed outdoor space.
Is an orangery more expensive than a conservatory?
Yes, orangeries are typically more expensive. A standard conservatory costs between £10,000 and £30,000, while an orangery usually ranges from £25,000 to £60,000 or more. The higher cost reflects the more substantial construction, better insulation, and greater architectural complexity. An oak framed garden room offers comparable quality and year-round usability from around £30,000 to £70,000.
Do I need planning permission for a conservatory or orangery?
Most conservatories and orangeries fall under permitted development rights, meaning you do not need planning permission, provided they meet criteria around size, height, and position. However, if you live in a conservation area, AONB, or have a listed building, you will likely need to apply. It’s always advisable to check with your local planning authority or work with a specialist who can manage the process for you.
Which adds more value to a house: a conservatory or an orangery?
An orangery generally adds more value than a conservatory because it is perceived as a more permanent, higher-quality addition. Estate agents estimate that a well-built orangery can add 5 to 10 percent to a property’s value, while a standard conservatory may add around 3 to 5 percent. An oak framed extension or garden room can add even more due to the premium materials, craftsmanship, and timeless aesthetic.
Is an oak framed garden room better than a conservatory or orangery?
An oak framed garden room combines the best qualities of both conservatories and orangeries. It provides the light and garden connection of a conservatory, the solidity and year-round comfort of an orangery, and the unmatched character and longevity of a traditional oak frame. Built with Kingspan TEK panels for insulation and crafted using traditional joinery, an oak framed garden room is a structure designed to last for centuries and add exceptional value to any property. Explore our completed projects to see the difference for yourself.
