Choose An Extension To Flatter Your Home: Try An Orangery

Home extensions are in hot demand once again as householders look to bring their property and garden that little bit closer together and create new space.

Last year saw the conservatory and glazed extension market increase by around 3%, a welcome boost after a decline in sales during the latter half of the 2000’s.

But, which type of home extension are you best choosing? We would always offer the same piece of advice – whichever extension best flatters your home.

You may well find that an orangery fits the bill better than a conservatory.

What is an orangery?

Originally used for growing orange trees, orangeries look more like a traditional extension of your home than a conservatory because they have a brickwork base which can blend in with the existing brickwork of the property.

They’re also characterised by the solid flat roof with a lantern roof and their large solid columns or pilasters.

Why choose an orangery?

·         You get an extraordinary amount of glass in an orangery with its floor to roof glass panels, allowing lots of natural sunlight to get in from all angles.

·         It will add value to your home and make it more sellable should you want to sell it in the future.

·         The versatility of an orangery means it can be adapted to incorporate bi-folding doors, French doors or patio doors and make the garden more accessible.

·         It can utilised however you like – as a kitchen, dining room, living room, guest room, home office, or gym.

Don’t forget about planning permission

You may find that the proposed orangery meets all the necessary criteria and is subsequently categorised as being a “permitted development”, in which case you won’t need to worry about planning permission.

Amongst the criteria is the following:

·         The orangery must not exceed or cover in excess of 50% of the size of the house

·         Should not exceed 4 metres in height

·         Should not include any Verandas, Balconies or Elevated Platforms

·         Should not be more than half the width of the house

·         Should not have eaves higher than 3 metres if within 2 metres of a structure boundary

So that you don’t get into trouble with your local authority, you should always check whether your orangery requires planning permission with them first.

Visit our Kendal showroom to see how a fully furnished orangery from Planet will change how you live your life indoors forever.