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An orangery is a stylish way to add light, space and a more permanent extension-like feel to your home.
Compared with a traditional conservatory, an orangery usually has more solid structure, a flat roof area and a central lantern or roof glazing. This creates a room that feels more substantial, while still allowing plenty of natural light into the space.
At Mendip Conservatories, we design and install orangeries across Bristol, Bath, North Somerset and the surrounding areas, including Clevedon, Portishead, Nailsea, Weston-super-Mare, Congresbury, Yatton and nearby villages.
We can help with traditional orangeries, modern flat roof orangeries, hand-built bespoke designs and orangery-style conservatories, depending on the look you want, the structure required and your budget.
For a general idea of likely budgets, see our guide to how much an orangery costs.
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What is an orangery?
In simple terms, an orangery sits somewhere between a conservatory and a full extension.
A traditional conservatory normally has a glazed roof across most or all of the structure. An orangery usually has a more substantial perimeter roof, often with a lantern or rooflight in the centre. Internally, this gives you a ceiling area around the edges of the room, which can make the space feel warmer, more private and more like part of the house.
An orangery may be the right choice if you want:
- a more permanent extension-like feel
- a room with plenty of natural light
- a flat ceiling area with lighting
- a lantern roof or flat skylights
- a more substantial structure than a standard conservatory
- a design that works well as a kitchen, dining room, lounge or family room
- a higher-end finish inside and outside
The right design depends on your home, the position of the room, the amount of glass you want and how you plan to use the space.
Traditional orangery or Mock orangery-style conservatory?
Not every customer who wants the look of an orangery needs a fully built traditional orangery extension.There are now several ways to create an orangery-style appearance. Some are closer to a traditional extension, while others are more like a conservatory with clever internal and external detailing.
That is why we will normally talk through two broad options:
- A traditional orangery or flat roof orangery-style extension
- A mock orangery or orangery-style conservatory
Both can look excellent, but they are not the same in terms of structure, cost or Building Regulations.
Traditional orangeries and flat roof orangeries
For traditional orangeries, we usually use either the Ultraframe Flat Roof system or a hand-built roof structure.
The Ultraframe Flat Roof system is a good option where a clean, modern, tested roof system is suitable for the design. It can be combined with a lantern or flat skylights to bring light into the room while giving the internal appearance of a more traditional extension.
A hand-built orangery roof can be useful where the design is unusual, the shape is awkward, or the property needs a more bespoke approach. This can be particularly helpful on older houses, non-standard layouts, unusual projections, or designs where a standard system is not the best answer.
A traditional orangery may be best where you want:
- a more extension-like room
- a flat internal ceiling area
- a lantern roof or flat skylights
- a kitchen, dining room or everyday living space
- a design that feels fully integrated with the house
- a bespoke structure for an awkward or unusual shape
Mock orangeries and orangery-style conservatories
A mock orangery, or orangery-style conservatory, is designed to give much of the look and feel of an orangery without necessarily building a full traditional orangery structure.
These designs often use an internal pelmet, plastered perimeter ceiling or external cornice to create a more substantial appearance. The result can be a room that feels less like an old-fashioned conservatory and more like part of the house.
Mock orangery options can be a good choice where you want:
- an orangery look at a lower potential cost
- more light than a full flat roof orangery
- a room-like internal finish
- downlights around the ceiling perimeter
- less building work than a traditional orangery
- a design that may remain closer to an exempt conservatory, depending on the specification
This is where products such as Ultraframe LivinRoom and Atlas Skyroom can be useful.
Recommended roof systems, properly installed
For orangeries and orangery-style conservatories, the roof design is one of the most important parts of the project.
We use proven systems such as the Ultraframe Flat Roof, Ultraframe LivinRoom and Atlas Skyroom where they are suitable for the design. Mendip Conservatories is an Ultraframe Ultra Installer and an Ultraframe recommended installer, and is also recommended by Atlas Roofs in the region.
Whether you are considering a traditional orangery, a hand-built roof, a flat roof orangery or a mock orangery-style conservatory, we can explain the options clearly and recommend the approach that best suits your home.
Ultraframe LivinRoom
Ultraframe LivinRoom is an internal insulated pelmet system that helps a conservatory feel more like a finished room.
It creates a plastered perimeter ceiling around the inside of the roof, which can be fitted with downlights and gives the room a more finished, substantial appearance. It is often a good choice where customers want more than a standard conservatory, but do not necessarily need a full traditional orangery extension.
LivinRoom may be suitable if you want:
- a room-like internal finish
- a plastered ceiling perimeter
- space for downlights
- a less “all glass” conservatory feel
- a more cost-effective alternative to a full orangery
- a design that still brings in plenty of natural light
It can be particularly effective where the existing home would benefit from extra light but the customer wants the finished room to feel more like part of the house.
Atlas Skyroom
Atlas Skyroom is another mock orangery-style option, designed to create the appearance of a lantern roof set within a more substantial roof structure.
It uses a raised ringbeam and internal pelmet detail to give the impression of a traditional orangery, while still allowing large areas of glass and slim sightlines. This can create a bright, modern room with a strong architectural feel.
Atlas Skyroom may be suitable if you want:
- the look of an orangery
- a slim aluminium roof system
- large areas of glass
- a clean contemporary appearance
- less visual bulk than some traditional orangery designs
- a design that sits between a conservatory and a high-end orangery
It is a useful option where the customer likes the orangery look but wants to keep the room light, modern and open.
Do mock orangeries need Building Regulations?
This depends on the design.
A traditional orangery or flat roof extension will often need Building Regulations approval because it is usually treated more like an extension. A mock orangery or orangery-style conservatory may not need full Building Regulations approval if it remains an exempt conservatory and meets the relevant criteria.
For example, this can depend on factors such as:
- the floor area
- whether it is at ground level
- whether it is separated from the house by external-quality doors or windows
- whether it has independent heating controls
- whether a new structural opening is being created
- the amount of glazing and electrical work involved
If you are knocking through into the house, removing external doors, creating a wider opening or making the space fully open-plan, Building Regulations approval will normally need to be considered.
This is not something to guess at. We can talk you through the likely route before you commit to a design.
Which orangery option is right for you?
The best option depends on the result you want.
A traditional orangery or flat roof orangery may be the right choice if you want a substantial, extension-like room with a lantern or rooflights and a more permanent feel.
A mock orangery or orangery-style conservatory may be the better option if you want the look and feel of an orangery, but with a lighter structure, more glass and potentially lower cost.
A hand-built orangery may be the right answer where the house, shape or design is unusual and a standard roof system is not ideal.
We will explain the practical differences clearly, including likely cost, structure, Building Regulations, roof options, glazing, heating and how the room will connect to the rest of the house.
Orangery roof options
The roof is one of the most important decisions in any orangery design.
We can advise on:
- Ultraframe Flat Roof systems
- hand-built orangery roofs
- lantern roofs
- flat skylights
- glass roof sections
- internal plastered ceilings
- insulated pelmets
- cornices and external detailing
- roof glazing and solar control glass
- lighting and ventilation
The aim is to create a room that looks right from the outside and feels comfortable from the inside.
Orangeries for Bristol, Bath and North Somerset homes
We design and install orangeries in Bristol, Bath, North Somerset and the surrounding areas.
Whether you are searching for orangeries Bristol, orangery Bath, orangery North Somerset or mock orangery Bristol, our local team can help you understand the options and choose a design that suits your home.
We are based at Smallway, Congresbury, between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare, and work across the wider region including Clevedon, Portishead, Nailsea, Yatton, Backwell, Winscombe, Cheddar, South Gloucestershire and West Wiltshire.
You are welcome to visit our outdoor show-site to discuss orangery designs, roof options and the difference between a traditional orangery and an orangery-style conservatory.
A complete orangery service
An orangery project involves more than frames and glass.
Depending on the design, we can help with:
- design advice
- site survey
- planning considerations
- Building Regulations advice
- base and wall options
- brickwork and structural work
- Ultraframe Flat Roof systems
- hand-built roof structures
- lanterns and skylights
- windows and doors
- plastering
- electrics
- heating considerations
- flooring and finishing details
We can manage the project using our own trusted tradespeople, so you are not left trying to coordinate several separate contractors yourself.
Request a free orangery quote
If you are considering a traditional orangery, a flat roof orangery, a hand-built orangery or a mock orangery-style conservatory, we would be happy to help.
Call our local team on 01934 877 666 or complete our contact form to arrange free advice and a no-obligation quotation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an orangery and a conservatory?
A conservatory usually has more glazing and a roof that spans most of the structure. An orangery usually has a more substantial roof perimeter with a central lantern or rooflight, giving it a more extension-like feel.
What is a mock orangery?
A mock orangery is an orangery-style conservatory. It uses design features such as an internal pelmet, plastered ceiling perimeter or external cornice to create the appearance and feel of an orangery without necessarily building a full traditional orangery structure.
Is a mock orangery cheaper than a traditional orangery?
It can be. A mock orangery or orangery-style conservatory may involve less structural work than a full traditional orangery extension, but the cost depends on the size, roof system, glazing, base, walls and finish.
Do orangeries need Building Regulations?
A traditional orangery or flat roof extension will often need Building Regulations approval. Some conservatory-style designs may be exempt if they meet the relevant criteria, but structural openings, electrics and other elements may still require approval. We can advise during the survey stage.
Can you build an orangery in an awkward shape?
Yes. Where a standard system is not suitable, we can consider a hand-built orangery roof. This can be useful for unusual shapes, older properties or more bespoke designs.
What roof systems do you use for orangeries?
We commonly use the Ultraframe Flat Roof system for appropriate orangery designs. We can also hand-build orangery roofs where the design, shape or property calls for a more bespoke approach.
Can I have a roof lantern in an orangery?
Yes. Roof lanterns are a popular feature in orangeries because they bring natural light into the room while keeping a more substantial ceiling area around the perimeter.
Do you install Ultraframe LivinRoom?
Yes. Ultraframe LivinRoom can be used to create a more room-like internal finish, with a plastered ceiling perimeter and the option of downlights.
Do you install Atlas Skyroom?
Yes. Atlas Skyroom is an orangery-style option that can give the appearance of a lantern roof set within a more substantial roof structure, while still keeping a bright and modern feel.
