New conservatories, orangeries or home extensions are 3 of the top home improvements homeowners plan to spend the most money on this year and the next. But which is the best option for you and your family? Well, carry on reading to find out!
What is the difference between a conservatory and orangery and an extension?
Conservatory
Typically, conservatories are mainly made of glass and attached to one side of a house. Separated from the rest of the building by external doors and windows, and fitted with its own independent heating system that’s controlled separately from the rest of the house, dwarf wall conservatories with a pitched glazed roof are a popular design variation in the South East.
Orangery
Often featuring large windows and a flat roof with a glazed lantern, orangeries feature brick pillars and solid sections.
Extension
A home extension is a new room or building that’s added to an existing building.
As long as certain criteria are met, your new conservatory, orangery, or home extension may not require planning permission either.
Which is cheaper orangery or conservatory?
Simply styled conservatories usually work out cheaper than orangeries, as they require less brickwork and labour to build them.
Is an orangery warmer than a conservatory?
Generally speaking, orangeries have a higher proportion of solid material in comparison to classic glazed conservatory structures, which allows them to stay warmer for longer. However, our conservatories offer excellent heat retention qualities, including specialist glazing, multi-chambered profiles, and argon-filled inter-pane areas to keep you warm all year round.
Compare our conservatory, orangery, and extension features
| / | Conservatory | Orangery | Home Extension |
| Materials | Glass, uPVC or aluminium | Glass & bricks, uPVC or aluminium | Glass & bricks, uPVC or aluminium |
| Roof options | Glass, tiled, hybrid, lantern | Glass, tiled, hybrid, lantern | Glass, tiled, hybrid, lantern |
| Glazing options | Double glazing, self-cleaning glass & solar control glass | Double glazing, self-cleaning glass & solar control glass | Double glazing, self-cleaning glass & solar control glass |
| Styles | 7 | Limitless | Limitless |
| Average price | Low/medium | Medium/high | Medium/high |
So, when it comes to choosing which is better, it all comes down to personal taste, available space, and budget.
High performance glazed extensions in Ipswich, Essex, and Suffolk
Now you have a firm understanding of the difference between a conservatory, orangery and home extension, it’s time to start planning how to give your South East home a whole new lease of life. Get a price, organise a trip to your nearest SEHBAC showroom, use our interactive roof designer, or contact our team of experts online to discuss your improvement options further.
