A bespoke orangery is a classic way to add space, light and value to your home without the greater expense and disruption of a conventional extension. However, it’s still a major investment of your time and money, and naturally it is important to take your time and think through the design and planning process carefully.
Here are some key questions to consider to ensure that you will create the ideal new living space for your home and family.
What will be the main purpose of your orangery?
The first question to ask yourself is “How will the orangery mainly be used?” The traditional use for glazed extensions is a summer sitting room where you can enjoy the benefits of natural light and views over your garden.
However, contemporary orangeries are now used for a wide range of purposes, including kitchen extensions, dining rooms, entertainment spaces, home offices, or gyms. If you do want to use the space all year round, it’s prudent to include underfloor heating in the design from the start, because this will be much easier than retrofitting it at a later stage.
The designer may also suggest the use of high performance glazing to improve the climate control of your orangery. This provides an advanced level of thermal insulation by containing solar heat gain in the winter, and reflecting it away in hotter weather. You will find that this reduces energy consumption and also makes the space more comfortable all year round.
Understanding how you will use the orangery can also influence the size and layout of the space: for example, will you want enough space to fit a large dining table in the centre, or will you want it positioned to maximise outdoor views?
How will the orangery fit in with the architecture of your home?
An orangery will have a significant visual impact on the exterior of your home, so you will want to ensure that it complements the existing architectural style. For example, if you have a period home, you may want to opt for a Victorian-style orangery with brick columns and a lantern roof light.
Country homes with wooden window frames and doors will be perfectly complemented by an oak-framed orangery. However, it is not necessary to match architectural styles: a minimalist contemporary design can work on an older property, especially if you want to create a seamless flow without the interruption of sturdier frames and brickwork.
A more traditional wooden framed orangery can also add interest to a modern house. However, you may wish to consider matching some elements, such as colour palettes or materials, to create an overall harmony between the old and new structures.
Will you need planning permission?
In many cases, orangeries will fall under permitted development rights and will not require planning permission. However, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and check with the local authority if there’s any room for doubt. For example, if you live in a listed building you will certainly require permission, and you may do if you live in a conservation area.
There are also some limitations on the height and projection of extensions, which if exceeded will require planning permission. Your design team will have plenty of previous experience and are likely to have a good understanding of what will and won’t be permitted, so discuss the matter with them before moving onto the next stages.
What type of glazing will you use?
We’ve already discussed the use of high performance glazing to maximise the thermal and energy efficiency of the orangery for year-round use. You may also want to consider soundproofing measures such as triple glazing if you live in a noisy area.
The other considerations are light levels and privacy. For example, do you want to maximise natural light with full-height windows and patio doors, combined with a fully glazed roof? If you want a more private space, consider combining dwarf brick walls with pillars and a solid roof. This will also provide a more insulated space that is easier to heat.
Your choice might depend on how overlooked the orangery is, and when and how you will be using it. You may even wish to consider emerging technology such as switchable glass, which can switch between opaque and translucent states at the touch of a button, allowing you to control privacy and light without bulky blinds or curtains.