Difference Between Orangery and Conservatory

While the process of home extension, a new building or room is added to an existing group of buildings or a single building. With the help of home, extension space is transformed and adds significant value.  

To increase the space in a property, there are chances to weigh up the pros of installing a conservatory or the benefits of an orangery. Nowadays, homeowners meet individual needs by mixing features from both to make a specific design. Still, there are many differences to clear up the confusion. 

Orangery vs Conservatory 

The main difference between orangery and conservatory is that orangery roof glazed is made up of less than 75% glass, whereas conservatory roof glazed is more than 75%. When it comes to wall glazed, it is less than 50% of glass in the orangery. wall glaze is more than 50% glass.  

An orangery is a garden building that is mainly designed for the wintering of exotic trees and shrubs. A practical building that can be completely covered by sacking and heating and planks in the cold season by stoves were the earliest orangeries. Search buildings existed in France and Great Britain as the second, half early of the 16th century.  

A place to grow is referred to as Conservatory. It is one of those class greenhouses in which delicate and rare plants can thrive. It is generally crafted of eco-friendly materials like sustainable aluminum or mahogany. It is mainly used as a living space but integrates plants into design. 

Comparison Table Between Orangery and Conservatory 

What is Orangery? 

An Orangerie or simply orangery was a dedicated room or a building on the grounds of fashionable residences. The period is of 17th to 19th centuries during which during the winter orange and other fruit trees were protected. They are from a very large greenhouse. In terms of construction material, an orangery is popular in timber but also accessible in pine, uPVC, or oak

A century after the usage for lime and orange trees had been established and other varieties of tender plants, exotic shrubs, and plants also came in the orangery to be housed. They often gained a stove in the North Europe cold winters to upkeep these kinds of delicate plants.  

The imported citrus fruit like pineapples and other tender fruit became much cheaper and generally available. But orangeries were commonly used for more tender ornamental plants. In the season of woody plants and the normal range, orangery provided a luxurious extension.   

The orangery was not just a greenhouse but also a symbol of wealth and prestige and a garden feature. Often it would contain grottos, fountains, and an area to entertain in inclement weather. The owners of orangery would conduct their guests on tours of the garden. 

What is Conservatory? 

A conservatory is a room or building with tarpaulin or glass walls and roofing and is generally used as a sunroom or a greenhouse. If in a residence, only one side of the conservatory is attached to the house. In the early 19th century, municipal conservatories became popular.  

In the 16th century, conservatory started originating when wealthy landowners tried to cultivate citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. The citrus fruits commonly appear on a dinner table which was brought by traders belonged from the Mediterranean’s warmer region.  

Municipal conservatories started built in many cities of cold climates and larger European populations to hold flower displays and display tropical plants. In the early nineteenth century, the municipal conservatory was popular and by the end of the century became popular for social use.  

The architecture of the conservatory varies from typical Victorian glasshouse to geodesic domes (an example of the modern style). Many were impressive and large structures. Modern conservatories are also graced with a traditional finial and cresting along with a double, single patio, or bi-folding doors. 

Main Differences Between Orangery and Conservatory  

1. When it comes to construction material, an orangery is popular in timber but also accessible in pine, uPVC, or oak, while conservatory is famous in uPVC due to low-cost supply, installation and manufacture.  
2. An orangery is generally built to look similar style of the house. On the flip side, in Conservatory, a glazed structure does not look similar to the house.  
3. Orangery proportionally has more solid structure or brickwork. On the other hand, the conservatory has minimal solid structure or brickwork.  
4. An orangery is built against the side of the house with a door or window into the house, whereas a conservatory is built against the main house wall and separated by a closing window or door. 
5. The orangery has a roof lantern compared to a fully glazed rooftop. But the conservatory has a fully glazed roof to let in the natural light in the maximum amount. 

Conclusion 

It can be concluded that orangery and Conservatory are used for the process of home extension. To meet individual needs, homeowners nowadays mix features from both orangery and Conservatory to make a specific design.  

An orangery had its prints in the 17th century, while conservatory can be traced from the 18th century. Orangery roof glazing is made up of less than 75% glass, whereas conservatory roof glazed is more than 75% glass. Orangery wall glazing is made up of less than 50% glass, while conservatory wall glazed is more than 50% glass. The shape of an orangery can be square or rectangle, but the shape of conservatory can be rectangle, P or T shaped. 

References 

1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01445170.1983.10412431
2. https://asa.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1121/1.2151799