The Quintessential English Orangery

The original orangeries were rather grand must-have accessories to Victorian country homes. A single floor extension, although it might have a double height ceiling, it had more windows than you would usually expect and, most importantly, a glass roof. The idea was that the insulation and heating of a normal room combined with all that sunlight flooding through the ceiling made it possible to grow your very own orange tree.

Today, the orangery is making a comeback, even though you can just buy your oranges from the supermarket. The walls can be constructed from stone or brick to match the rest of the house, although oak frame structures are becoming increasingly popular. Rather than constructing a bespoke glass roof, it’s usual to build skylights into a at roof, either a large central one or several units. Skylights are available in a wide range of standard sizes which reduces construction costs considerably.

In an ideal world, the orangery should be built on a south facing side of the property so that it gets the sunlight all year round. Building on the north facing side rather defeats the object. Even though using standard size skylights saves money, an orangery tends to cost more to build than a conventional extension because of all the extra glazing. For this reason, they are best employed as rooms that get a lot of use – kitchen dining rooms and open plan living spaces are very popular.

With the light and airiness of a conservatory but none of the disadvantages, orangeries can make truly stunning rooms both inside and out and, because they are effectively a single storey extension, it is relatively easy to get planning permission. Many home-improvement firms that offer windows and conservatories now offer orangeries too, and there are contractors that specialise in building them. However, the most cost-effective option may be to use a regular builder.

Thanks to global warming, it is now possible to grow orange trees outside in England. Even so, building an orangery is one of the best ways to enhance your home.