An orangery sits somewhere between a conservatory and a full extension: more solid brick, a flat roof with a glazed lantern, and a feel closer to a proper room than a glass box. For Kent homeowners who want a light-filled space that works all year, it is often the sweet spot. This guide covers what an orangery is, how it differs from a conservatory, the cost, and the planning and building regulations that apply.
What is an orangery?
An orangery is a single-storey garden room built with substantial brick or rendered piers at the corners and along the walls, large windows or glazed panels between them, and a flat roof topped with a central glazed roof lantern that floods the room with light from above. The name comes from the grand structures once used to overwinter citrus trees on country estates. Today an orangery is a light, warm and usable room that blends into the house far more than a traditional conservatory does.
Orangery vs conservatory vs extension
The three overlap, and the difference is really about how much glass and how much solid structure each has. A conservatory is mostly glazing, with a fully glass or polycarbonate roof, so it is bright but can run cold in winter and hot in summer. A traditional brick extension is fully solid, with a normal roof, and feels like any other room. An orangery is the middle ground: solid brick piers and a proper flat roof for insulation and structure, but with big glazed sections and a lantern that keep it light. That balance is why orangeries stay comfortable across the seasons where a cheap conservatory struggles.
Do you need planning permission for an orangery?
In planning terms there is no legal distinction between an orangery, a conservatory and a single-storey extension. What matters is the size, height and position of the structure, not the name you give it. Many orangeries are built under permitted development without a planning application, provided they stay within the limits: broadly, a single-storey rear addition must not extend beyond the rear wall by more than 3 metres for an attached house or 4 metres for a detached one, must not exceed 4 metres in height, and must not cover more than half the garden. Larger projects can sometimes use the prior-approval route. You will need full planning permission if the home is listed, sits in a conservation area, or has had its permitted development rights removed. Always confirm with your local council, and the Planning Portal extensions guide is a good starting point.
Orangeries and building regulations
This is the biggest practical difference from a conservatory. A conservatory can be exempt from building regulations if it is under 30 square metres, has at least 75% of its roof and 50% of its walls glazed, is thermally separated from the house by external-quality doors, and has an independent heating system. An orangery, with its substantial solid flat roof, usually does not meet the glazed-roof test, so it is treated as a normal single-storey extension and needs full building regulations approval. That covers foundations, wall and roof insulation, glazing U-values, structural safety and electrics. It adds cost, but it also means the room is built to habitable standard and counts as proper living space.
How much does an orangery cost?
An orangery costs more than a like-for-like conservatory because of the brickwork, the flat roof, the lantern and the building regulations work. As a broad guide, most orangeries fall somewhere in the region of 20,000 to 45,000 pounds or more, depending on size, specification, groundworks and finish. A small, simple orangery sits at the lower end, while a large room with bifold doors, a lantern and a high-end interior can go well beyond it. Treat any figure as a starting point and get itemised quotes from local installers, because ground conditions and access make a real difference to the final price.
The biggest cost drivers are size, the amount of brickwork, the roof lantern, and how much groundwork the foundations need. Poor access, sloping ground or the need to move drains all push the price up. Glazing specification matters too: high-performance glass with a low U-value and self-cleaning coatings costs more but keeps the room comfortable and cuts running costs. Building regulations work, structural steels for wide door openings, and a high-end interior finish add further to the total, which is why two orangeries of the same footprint can differ by many thousands of pounds.
Design choices: roof lanterns, pilasters and glazing
The details are what make an orangery feel special. The roof lantern is the signature feature, and its size and proportions set the character of the room. Brick or rendered pilasters (the solid piers between the glazing) can be matched to the existing house so the addition looks original rather than bolted on. Large windows, bifold or sliding doors connect the room to the garden, and a plastered internal perimeter (sometimes called a pelmet) around the lantern hides blinds, spotlights and speakers. Underfloor heating and good glazing keep it warm without radiators eating into wall space.
Is an orangery right for your home?
An orangery suits you if you want a bright room that genuinely works in winter, a look that sits comfortably against a period or traditional property, and a space that adds proper living area and value. If your budget is tight or you mainly want a summer garden room, a conservatory may be the more sensible choice. If you want a fully solid, fully insulated room and light is a lower priority, a standard extension could be better value. For more help weighing up your options, see our other home improvement guides.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an orangery and a conservatory?
An orangery has more solid brick structure and a flat roof with a glazed lantern, while a conservatory is mostly glass with a fully glazed roof. The orangery feels more like a room and stays more comfortable year-round; the conservatory is lighter and usually cheaper.
Do you need planning permission for an orangery?
Often not, if it stays within permitted development limits for size, height and position. You will need permission if the property is listed, in a conservation area, or has had its permitted development rights removed. Check with your local planning authority.
Does an orangery need building regulations approval?
Usually yes. Because an orangery has a substantial solid roof, it does not qualify for the glazed-roof exemption a conservatory can claim, so it is treated as a single-storey extension and needs full building regulations approval.
How much value does an orangery add?
A well-built orangery adds usable living space and can lift a property’s value, particularly on period homes where it suits the style. Because it is built to habitable standard, it tends to add more value than a basic conservatory.
Can you use an orangery all year round?
Yes. With insulated solid walls and roof sections, good glazing and its own heating, an orangery is designed to be comfortable in winter and summer alike, unlike a poorly specified conservatory.
How long does it take to build an orangery?
Most orangeries take around six to ten weeks on site, depending on size, groundworks and access. Building regulations sign-off and any planning application should be factored into the overall timeline.
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