Our simple orangery buying guide (including FAQs)

Glazed extensions have gone from strength to strength in recent years, with the orangery fast becoming the West Midlands renovation of choice. Thermally sound, strong and sophisticated, orangeries seamlessly bridge the gap between a basic conservatory and a full-blown extension.

Heightening kerb appeal, as well as being able to increase property value with ease, if you’re contemplating an orangery installation there’s no time like the present! Get your orangery right first time, with our simple orangery buying guide outlined below. We’re sure you’ll have more questions, so we’ve added in a couple of frequently asked questions below.

1. Orangery Design

The first place to start is to decide on the size, shape and design of your new orangery, which will largely depend on the size of your property. Close attention should be paid to your new orangery roof, as its positioning, shape and style could impact upon the overall enjoyment of your new living space. At Leamore Windows & Conservatories, we have five orangery roof styles on offer; Edwardian, 3 Facet Victorian, Gable Ended, P-Shaped Edwardian and P-Shaped Victorian.

2. Orangery Position

As well as the design of your new orangery roof, it’s also important to focus on its overall positioning. This is because south-facing orangeries tend to get relatively warm in summer and cool in winter, whereas north-facing orangeries remain cool all year round. The suns powerful rays can also affect any soft furnishings located in the orangery, fading and damaging them beyond repair. So, if possible, the best position for your new orangery would be facing south-east or south-west, allowing it to effectively warm-up and cool down throughout the day.

3. Orangery Material

It’s important to match the materials of your new orangery with your home as closely as possible. Orangery cost shouldn’t be a primary concern, but we understand that our customers require an equal balance of quality, performance and price – which is why our orangeries are built with thermally advanced uPVC. Maintenance-free and secure, we can even offer a range of authentic woodgrain effects, so that your new orangery precisely mirrors the existing materials of your home.

4. Orangery Extras

It’s all about the personal touch, so don’t forget to plan any extras you wish to include to give your new orangery space a unique twist of character. This could include bifold doors, French doors, sliding glass doors, spotlights, speakers, stained-glass, blinds, lock upgrades, highline gutters and decorative corner castings.

Orangery FAQ

What is the difference between a conservatory and an orangery extension?

The main difference between the two is that orangeries feature full-height brick pillars, whereas conservatory walls are constructed with large swathes of glass. Orangeries also feature sturdy box-section pelmets, which allow for minimal plastering. Historically, orangeries have also been linked to larger homes but, thanks to innovations in technology and design, are now being installed in a variety of homes across Walsall, the West Midlands and beyond.

Do you need planning permission for an orangery?

Just like conservatories, orangeries generally fall within ‘permitted development rights’, meaning that there’s no need to apply for planning permission as long as certain rules are followed. The main stipulations are:

• • the orangery doesn’t cover more than half of the garden
• • side extensions do not extend beyond half the width of the house
• • no building in front of the main property or to the side of the property fronting a highway
• • the top of the orangery roof must be no higher than the eaves of the property’s roof
• • the orangery must be no higher than 4 metres or 3 metres if within 2 metres of a boundary

Further permitted development and planning permission rules can be found via the Planning Portal.

Permitted development can also be affected or removed entirely if your home is a listed building or falls within a Designated Area, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or a Conservation Area. Get in touch to discuss this further.

Illuminating orangeries for discerning homeowners in Walsall and the West Midlands

If you have an orangery design in mind or you’re still undecided and require further assistance, contact a Leamore Windows double glazing specialist today who will be happy to help and answer any additional questions you may have.