Orangery or Conservatory? Why an Orangery Could Be the Better Choice for Your Home

If you are thinking about adding more space to your home, you may be considering a conservatory or an orangery. Both can bring in natural light and create a better connection to the garden, but they are not the same.

A conservatory is usually more glass-based, often with glazed walls and a glazed roof. An orangery, on the other hand, tends to feel more like a proper extension. It usually includes more brickwork, better insulation, a solid or partly solid roof, and a roof lantern to bring in light from above.

At Westview Building Company, we help homeowners across Sussex create beautiful, practical living spaces that feel like a natural part of the home. For many properties, an orangery offers the best balance between light, comfort, design and everyday use.

What Is an Orangery?

An orangery sits somewhere between a traditional extension and a conservatory. It often has brick or rendered walls, large windows or doors, a warm roof structure and a glazed roof lantern.

This gives you the light and garden views people love about conservatories, but with a more substantial and comfortable feel.

Rather than feeling like an add-on, a well-built orangery can look and feel as though it has always belonged to the house.

Why Choose an Orangery Over a Conservatory?

Traditional conservatories can look attractive, but they are not always the most practical rooms. Many homeowners find they are too hot in summer, too cold in winter and not as usable as they hoped.

An orangery is usually a better long-term option because it can be designed and built more like a proper living space.

The main benefits include:

• Better insulation.

• A more comfortable temperature throughout the year.

• A stronger connection to the existing house.

• More privacy than a fully glazed conservatory.

• A higher-quality, more permanent feel.

• A design that can suit both modern and traditional homes.

• A room that can be used every day, not just when the weather is right.

A Room You Can Use All Year Round

One of the biggest advantages of an orangery is comfort.

Because an orangery usually has more solid construction than a conservatory, it can be insulated more effectively. This helps make the room easier to heat in winter and more comfortable in summer.

That means the space can become a real part of your home. It could be used as a kitchen extension, dining room, family room, snug, garden room or entertaining space.

The goal is not just to add square footage. The goal is to create a room you actually want to spend time in.

More in Keeping With Your Home

A well-designed orangery can be built to suit the style of your property. Brickwork, render, roof details, windows, doors, lanterns, fascias and internal finishes can all be chosen carefully so the new space feels balanced with the existing house.

This is especially important on older or character properties, where a standard conservatory may look out of place.

At Westview, we take time to think about the details. The way the new structure meets the existing house, how the roofline works, how the brickwork or render is finished, and how the internal space flows all make a big difference to the final result.

Light Without Losing Comfort

One of the reasons people choose conservatories is natural light. An orangery can still give you that bright, open feeling, but in a more controlled and practical way.

Large windows, sliding doors, French doors or bifold doors can open the room up to the garden, while a roof lantern brings light into the centre of the space.

The difference is that an orangery also gives you solid wall areas, better roof construction and a more comfortable internal environment.

You get the light and garden views without the room feeling like a glass box.

Planning and Building Regulations

In many cases, an orangery or conservatory may fall under permitted development, provided it meets the required limits and conditions. However, every property is different.

Planning permission may be needed if the property is listed, in a conservation area, has previous planning restrictions, or if the proposed structure is larger or positioned in a way that falls outside permitted development rules.

Building Regulations are also important, especially where the orangery is open to the main house, includes structural alterations, or is being built as a proper habitable room.

Westview can help guide you through the process and work alongside designers, structural engineers and building control where required.

How Westview Can Help

Westview Building Company can help with the full process, from the first idea through to completion.

We can help with:

• Initial advice and site visits.

• Design ideas and practical layout options.

• Budget guidance and detailed quotations.

• Planning and Building Regulations guidance.

• Groundworks and foundations.

• Brickwork, blockwork and structural openings.

• Roof construction and roof lantern installation.

• Windows, doors and glazing.

• Insulation, heating, electrics and plastering.

• Carpentry, finishes and final details.

Our aim is to make the process clear, organised and well managed from start to finish.

Designed Around the Way You Live

A good orangery should not just look impressive. It should improve how your home works.

It might create a larger kitchen and dining area, a peaceful sitting room overlooking the garden, or a family space that brings everyone together.

By planning the structure, layout, light, heating and finishes properly, an orangery can become one of the most used and loved rooms in the house.

Start Planning Your Orangery

If you are deciding between a conservatory and an orangery, it is worth thinking about how you want to use the space long term.

A conservatory may suit some homes, but if you want a room that feels warmer, more substantial and better connected to the house, an orangery is often the better choice.

Westview Building Company is based in Ardingly and works across Sussex and the surrounding area.

To discuss your orangery project, get in touch with Westview Building Company. We would be happy to talk through your ideas and help you create a beautiful new space for your home.