What’s the Difference Between a Conservatory and an Orangery?
House extensions are such a wonderful way for us to improve our homes without having to uproot, back all our stuff and go somewhere completely new. With the right extension, we can drastically change the feeling of our homes to the point where it feels like a completely new space to live in. Since we’ve been cooped up in our homes for the last two and half years, a lot of us might be thinking that it’s time to make a change.
When it comes to the kinds of changes that we can make to our homes, the two most affordable options are the orangery and conservatory. These two additions give equal amounts of space with the potential for an addition of massive natural light, as well as maintaining proper thermal insulation and security. But what are the main differences between these two types of home extensions? Here at Dempsey Dyer, we provide both in various materials, and we want to ensure that you know exactly what you’re buying!
Conservatories
A conservatory is typically a Polycarbonate or glass installation that acts as an extension to the home. A sort of ‘halfway’ to the garden, the conservatory has been a staple of British home design for the last 40 years or so since the advent of uPVC and double glazing. These wonderful installations have provided British homeowners with a place to relax and wonderful outside views without facing the elements themselves.
Orangeries
On the other hand, orangeries have their roots in fruit growing over the winter. Orangeries are similarly built as ‘halfway’ extensions to the garden and were originally intended as places to house fruit trees and various plants that don’t grow properly in the winter so they could keep producing throughout the year. Many homes still use orangeries for this purpose! The core difference between the two is that an orangery has brickwork as its frame, rather than uPVC and double glazing or polycarbonate. As a result, the orangery allows less light into the extension but has vastly superior thermal insulation and thermal reflection properties. Therefore, the orangery acts more like a traditional extension than a conservatory does.
uPVC Conservatories
Our uPVC conservatories are market-leading for high thermal efficiency, security and customisability performance. Whether you are a trade customer or a homeowner, our conservatories provide exceptionally long-lasting solutions for the modern homeowner. Completely bespoke to your specifications, the Deceuninck high-performance systems provide your home or your customer’s home with the modern solution to your home improvement needs. Your needs aren’t just matched from a performance standpoint. We also offer a wide variety of colour and finishing options!
Timber Conservatories
However, if you’re looking for a genuine article, we also offer full timber conservatories! Homeowners looking for the classic heritage look will feel right at home with timber conservatories from Dempsey Dyer. We offer three distinct species of wood for our timber conservatories that are measured by their durability. The highest, at Class 1, is the Accoya species. The middle species at Class 2 is European Oak. European Oak is unique in our selection as it is sourced through an FSC (forest stewardship council) and is the most sustainable option of the three. The third option is Sapele, at ‘Class 3’ durability and is a common hardwood sourced from West Africa and Cameroon. Regarding choosing the colour for your timber conservatory, our paint system protects the wood from harmful ultraviolet rays and water ingress due to its microporous structure. The paint also naturally contracts and expands with the timber ensuring that the colour does not fade or crack over time.
uPVC Orangeries
Orangeries provide a more natural extension of your home whilst prioritising natural light and outside views. Orangeries are the natural combination of a light and airy conservatory and a practically designed extension. Our uPVC orangeries provide high performance due to their A-rated glazing and high security handles and locking systems. They’re available in various colours and finishes to give the impression of a classic heritage look without compromising price.
Timber Orangeries
We also offer timber orangeries as an alternative to the homeowner looking for a genuine article. The quality of their build ensures effective drainage and easy maintenance. Gone are the days of wondering whether the timber in your installation will warp or rot. Modern timber is varnished before installation to ensure long life and continued high performance.
If you’re interested in a conservatory or orangery from Dempsey Dyer in either timber or uPVC, you can get started with a quick quote right here on our website! Our quoting engine allows you to browse all of our products and customise them to your liking before providing you with an accurate price for your project! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our online contact form with your query.
We look forward to hearing from you!
