A Guide To Orangeries

Orangeries were initially devised around four hundred years ago and were originally used to protect citrus fruits against cold winter frosts, therefore giving them the name ‘Orangery’. Orangeries are fairly similar to conservatories, however, orangeries typically have a brick base and a flat perimeter roof with a centralised roof lantern, whilst conservatories typically have a centralised pitched roof and a frame construction that travels from the ground to the pitched roof edge with no perimeter. During the subsequent age of greater maritime, their use expanded to store exotic plants that were brought back from across the globe. This is due to the glass trapping heat inside the extension, creating a suitable condition for the plants to grow and survive. For the wealthy, the idea of owning an orangery became increasingly popular, and by the end of the 18th century, they had become common additions to many grand houses across Europe. To this day, orangeries are still common across the globe, however, the style, uses, and terms to describe these extensions has evolved. Despite the evolution, parallels between the past and present still remain. The original design concept still remains common.

In this day and age, orangeries are a popular extension or alternative to owning a conservatory. As previously mentioned, their style and uses have dramatically changed since the 18th century. It is highly uncommon for somebody now to use an orangery for growing exotic plants or citrus fruits, however, it still would be possible. Nowadays, it would be more common for somebody to use an orangery for lounging purposes, or for extra utility space in their home. As citrus fruits are widely available in supermarkets, the need to grow your own is no longer needed. In this post, Speedy Conservatories have provided you with a comprehensive guide on Orangeries, so you know exactly what to consider before you decide to purchase an orangery. As we are one of Sussex’s leading orangery providers, we believe that our customers should be knowledgable on what they are purchasing to ensure complete satisfaction when the construction of the product is complete. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with any queries you may have regarding orangeries or any other of the products that we offer.

What are the types of orangery?

There are four main types of orangery that are widely available for installation. It is important to be completely sure of what orangery is best for you before instaling one to your home. Below is a full description of each main type of orangery that we provide.

The Amberley

By choosing the Amberley, you are sure to be making a bold statement of elegance with an uncluttered design. The Amberley design reflects its image from traditional orangery buildings with its roof styling and the distinctive lantern visibly place on top for maximum visual impact. For the perfect finishing touch for the orangery, elegant French style doors or a set of modern bi-fold doors will lead out into your garden from your incredibly stunning orangery. This highly robust construction is very simple to maintain, making it incredibly easy to clear any autumn leaves. Lantern roofs are also beautiful from the outside and will allow natural light to flood inside. Amberley orangeries also create an open plan in your home, which increases your living space and allows plenty of room for creative interior design.

The Hardham

If you’re looking for something more unique, the Hardham’s contemporary styling with a double soffit is the answer. Taking inspiration from classical orangery designs, this incredibly stunning modern interpretation delivers visual impact with a special exterior soffit for an extra touch of elegance. The Hardham presents features of a traditional orangery with a modern twist, ideally suited to townscapes and urban architecture. A sloping glazed roof is partially concealed by a strikingly deep fascia, which is the key signature to the Hardham design. The overhanging soffit can provide sheltered outside illumination to add an incredibly stylish touch. When designing for open plan living, the Hardham can help to create a large integrated space that connects your kitchen, dining, and living room areas. The Hardham also has a very deep gutter, which is strong enough to stand on, and this practical feature is totally hidden view behind the decorative fascia.

The Bramber

A brand new Bramber orangery has the potential to quickly become the most popular room in your home. The Bramber creates a naturally light and airy space, giving you the perfect place to relax with a coffee and enjoy magnificent views of your garden. Boasting fully framed picture windows with deep recesses, the Bramber conveys a substantial and well built internal appearance, which is quite unlike a conventional conservatory-style extension. A deeply dimensioned orangery soffit runs right around the perimeter and creates a highly gratifying aura of permanence. The Bramber’s insulated soffit is a staggering 752mm deep, which gives ample room for positioning downlighters or audio. Our Bramber designs are also available with a smaller 424mm or 575mm soffit. This is available with both low E coatings for enhanced thermal efficiency and tinted coatings for solar control. High-performance glass can also increase temperature comfort, helping you to enjoy your orangery all year round.

The Selsey 

If you make the decision to install the Selsey orangery, you will not be let down by its insulation and heat retention, creating you an extra luxurious room for your home that you can enjoy all year round. The Selsey is part of our SIP (Structured Insulated Panels) range, which is bespoke to your individual orangery. The major benefit is the speed of coming together without being disappointed in the quality of the products. The Selsey is Speedy Conservatories economical way to add a stunning room onto your home that you can enjoy all year round. This room can transform your home, creating extra living space with its versatility.

Uses for Your Orangery

One of the main advantages of owning an orangery is that it can be used for a multitude of purposes. Many orangery designs create an open space plan with your home, giving you the potential to extend the room it is currently attached to or to even create a brand new room. With orangeries, the availability for creativity and design is endless and is all in your hands following installation. Before choosing to have an orangery installed, it is important that you have a basic idea of how you are going to design the interior following installation. If you are struggling to find a purpose or design for your orangery, feel free to use these ideas to inspire you.

Dining Room

Many orangeries are attached to kitchens, as kitchens are commonly situated at the rear of homes. This provides an excellent opportunity to use your orangery as a dining room. By having your dining room close to your kitchen, it allows food to be served quickly and still be hot or fresh. It also puts you at less of a risk of dropping food as you will only have to walk a few steps to reach the table. Using an orangery room also allows plenty of natural lighting into your home, which saves money as it reduces the need for electrical lights and also gives plenty of room for creative design that the natural light brings the best of. 

Living Room

This option is perfect for busy households. Having an extra living room allows extra room for personal space within your own home. This is especially beneficial for those nights where there are two different TV programmes on at the same time, or just when you feel like a bit of alone time. Using your orangery as a living room during the summer months also allows a cooler environment as it has a large entrance to your garden, allowing cooler and fresher air inside of your home. Just like you have the ability to design your main living room, in your orangery you have the exact same ability.

Office

Working in a dim lighted, secluded environment in your home can be stressful and extremely unenjoyable. By using your orangery as an office, you can get what work needs to be completed finished without feeling alone in your own home. Natural lighting is also extremely healthy and can keep you awake and alert. Working alone during the summer months can also make you hot and uncomfortable. As previously mentioned, orangeries have large doors that lead towards the garden and allow cooler fresher air in your home. By having an office in your orangery, you can work in a lighter, open environment, with cooler air.

These ideas are only some ideas out of a multitude of possibilities. When you own an orangery, the possibilities for use and design are all in your hands. If you require any more advice regarding orangery installation, do not hesitate to contact us.