Orangery Or Conservatory: What’s The Difference?

You may have noticed that our website has a section dedicated entirely to Orangery blinds. If so, we like to think your first thought was about how stylish the blinds are, but let’s be honest; it’s more likely to have been “what’s an Orangery?” 

Here at Appeal, it’s a question that we’ve been asked plenty of times. So, we figured it’d be worthwhile explaining what they are. They’re often confused with conservatories, but we’ve installed blinds in both, and over the years, we’ve identified a few differences.

What Is An Orangery?

Orangeries are extensions built on to houses and at their most basic level, they are very similar to conservatories. They have large windows and are designed to capture lots of natural light. They were first developed during the 17th Century as a means of growing exotic fruits in the colder climate of northern Europe and became a status symbol for wealthy families. They’re bright, vibrant spaces to relax in and they make a wonderful addition to any home. And yes, they’re called ‘orangeries’ because people grew oranges in them. 

The big difference between orangeries and conservatories is the amount of glass used in their construction. Orangeries have flat, solid roofs with a glass lantern in the middle, whereas conservatories have pitched roofs that are at least 75% glass. Contrary to popular belief, replacing a glass conservatory roof with a tiled one does not automatically turn it into an orangery; it would more accurately be described as an extension.

Orangeries also have more brick in their structures, so they’re less susceptible to outside temperature fluctuations than conservatories. It is easy to confuse the two, but it becomes clear once you know the differences. Regardless of whether you have an orangery or conservatory though, you’ll need shading.

Shading Options For Orangeries

Just like their glass-based cousins, orangeries can get very bright and hot, especially in summer. A decent set of window blinds can help reduce glare, control the temperature and make an orangery usable all year round.

Our orangery blinds are customised to your exact specifications and can beautifully enhance your living space. Whether you’re interested in energy-efficient Honeycomb blinds, our ever-popular Pleated blinds, or something from our other ranges, we can help you make the right choice. A five-year guarantee covers our blinds for extra peace of mind. 

If you’re working on a new orangery project or looking for the right shading option, your search is over. You can contact us today and we’ll help you find the right blinds. You can download a free brochure to learn more about our products or request a design consultation. Our experts are standing by and happy to talk to you.