Orangery vs. Conservatory: Which One Should You Actually Pick?
Let me save you from a very specific form of homeowner heartbreak: the “We spent a small fortune on this gorgeous glass room and now we only use it three weekends a year” situation.
Because yes conservatories and orangeries look kind of similar in Pinterest photos. And yes, both can give you that dreamy “I sip tea while staring at hydrangeas” vibe. But the difference between them is not just architectural trivia. It’s the difference between:
- “My favorite room in the house”
- and “The room where the dog’s bed lives because it’s too hot/too cold/too glaring for human life.”
So here’s the real world breakdown (from someone who has stared at too many rooflines and heard too many people say, “We thought it would be usable year round…” in the saddest voice imaginable).
First: What’s a conservatory?
A conservatory is basically a glass room attached to your house. Like… mostly glass. Walls, roof, the whole “I live in a snow globe” aesthetic.
Typically it’s quicker to build and lighter in structure (often sitting on a short brick base), and it absolutely floods the space with light. If your goal is “bright, plant happy, garden view obsession,” a conservatory gets you there fast.
The catch: glass is dramatic. It will trap heat like a greenhouse in summer and lose it fast in winter. (Glass doesn’t care about your comfort. It’s here for vibes.)
Now: What’s an orangery?
An orangery is more like a proper extension that just happens to have extra glass and a fancy light feature on top.
Instead of glass walls doing all the heavy lifting, an orangery uses solid walls/brick piers as structure, with windows in between, and usually a mostly solid roof with a central glazed “lantern” (that skylight-y thing that makes it feel bright without being blinding).
Translation: it tends to feel like your house simply grew a beautiful new room—rather than “we attached a giant bubble.”
It’s heavier to build, usually costs more, and takes longer. But it’s typically way more livable day to day.
The differences that actually matter (aka: comfort, glare, money, and regret)
1) Temperature: the “Will I use it in January and July?” test
If you remember one thing, make it this: conservatories swing wildly with the weather.
- In summer, they can turn into a sunny sauna (and not the relaxing Scandinavian kind).
- In winter, they can feel like you’re gently camping indoors.
Yes, you can upgrade conservatories with better glass, thermal breaks, even a more solid roof… but once you start stacking those upgrades, you creep into orangery pricing anyway. And you may still end up with a room that’s a little… moody.
Orangeries, with their solid walls and more insulated structure, tend to hold a steadier temperature. If you want a room you’ll use like a normal human living space (office, dining, space saving room layouts, kitchen extension), orangery wins this round.
(Nerdy aside: this is where insulation/U-values come in. Lower U-values = less heat loss. Orangeries generally perform better because they’re not 90% glass.)
2) Light: bright and beautiful vs. bright and annoying
Conservatories are bright from every angle. It’s gorgeous… until you try to:
- watch TV
- work on a laptop
- hop on a Zoom call
- exist with eyeballs at 4pm
Also, privacy can be weird at night. Once the lights are on inside, you’re basically on stage. (Ask me how I know. Actually don’t.)
Orangeries usually give you softer, more controlled light that roof lantern brings daylight in from above without quite as much side glare. And the solid roof edge often lets you add recessed lighting that feels very “real room,” not “temporary sunbox.”
3) Cost + build time: the “How soon and how much?” reality check
Generally speaking:
- Conservatory: cheaper, faster (often a few weeks)
- Orangery: more expensive, longer (often 6-12 weeks)
Super rough orangery cost ranges you’ll commonly see (location and finishes change everything, so please don’t come for me with pitchforks):
- Basic conservatory: $12k-$20k
- Mid range conservatory: $20k-$32k
- Smaller orangery: $25k-$32k
- Medium orangery: $38k-$50k
- Premium orangery: $65k-$145k (yes, I also made that face)
Why the jump? Orangeries are typically built more like extensions: deeper foundations, more masonry labor, more coordination. A conservatory often feels closer to “assemble and install.” (Not easy, but simpler.)
My honest opinion: if you’re already pricing a conservatory with every upgrade under the sun to make it comfortable pause. That’s the moment to ask if you’re just slowly funding an orangery in denial.
4) Resale value: “bonus room” vs. “real living space”
A well designed orangery tends to be valued more like a proper extension because it integrates with the house and functions like a normal room.
Conservatories can add value too but buyers sometimes see them as seasonal or “extra” rather than essential living space.
One big caveat: design matters. A wildly ornate orangery slapped onto a very plain house can look… confused. (Like wearing a ballgown to Costco.)
5) Maintenance: the glass cleaning olympics
Conservatories have more glass, more seals exposed to weather, and more opportunities for condensation to show up and humble you.
If you hate cleaning windows now, a conservatory will not cure that. It will simply provide more windows to ignore.
Orangeries usually have less glass overhead (smaller lantern), so cleaning and long term upkeep tends to be easier though you’ll still have the normal exterior maintenance of walls/paintwork depending on materials.
6) Planning + permits: don’t skip this part
I know, I know. Permits are not fun. But neither is “we built it and now the insurance is weird about it.”
Rules vary a ton by region, but in general:
- Both can be subject to planning limits (height, footprint, how much of your garden you cover, etc.)
- Orangeries more often trigger building regs because they’re more integrated structurally
Please check local requirements before you fall in love with a design. Future you will be grateful.
Okay, so which one should you pick?
Here’s how I’d decide if you and I were standing in your backyard holding coffee and squinting at the sun like middle aged dads at a barbecue.
Go conservatory if:
- You want maximum light and views (plants will thrive; your serotonin may too)
- You’re on a tighter budget
- You’re okay with it being more spring-fall than truly year round
- You want a quicker build
- You might move within ~10 years and don’t want the bigger investment
Go orangery if:
- You want a room you’ll use every single day
- You’re planning a kitchen extension, dining space, or home office
- You care about privacy and “feels like part of the house”
- You’re frequently on screens (WFH people, I see you)
- You want better long term comfort and typically better resale appeal
Two quick questions that usually make the answer obvious
1) Will you want to sit in there in January and July?
If yes, lean orangery (or budget for serious conservatory upgrades and HVAC).
2) What are you doing in the space real life, not fantasy life?
If it’s “office, homework, dinner every night,” orangery.
If it’s “morning coffee, reading, plants, hanging out when it’s nice,” conservatory can be perfect.
One last thing (because life is messy and so are definitions)
Modern builds blur the lines. Some “conservatories” have part solid roofs. Some “orangeries” have more glass than you’d expect. So don’t get too hung up on the label think in terms of glass to solid ratio and how the room needs to function.
If you do nothing else: walk around the side of your house at different times of day, notice where the sun hits, and imagine your routine in that space. Then get a couple local quotes and ask blunt questions about heating/cooling and year round comfort.
Because the right choice isn’t the prettiest photo online it’s the one you’ll actually use without sweating, shivering, or living behind blackout blinds like a caffeinated vampire.
