Conservatory or extension: Which is best for your home?

Conservatories and extensions are both brilliant options for adding additional living space to your home, but which is best for your property? Whether you’re hoping to create a new home office, living room, gym, play area etc, it’s important to fully understand the options available to you, ahead of making the final decision.

At Advanced Glazing Systems, we regularly advise homeowners on whether a conservatory or extension is the better fit for their wishes, including weighing up thermal efficiency, design flexibility, cost, planning permission, and how each option will fit into your home’s existing structure.

We’ll explain more in the article below, but in simple terms, a conservatory is largely a glass-based structure, ideal for bringing in plenty of natural light, connecting your interior with your garden, and creating a bright, airy living space. An extension, on the other hand, such as a modern orangery, usually incorporates brick walls and a solid roof with a lantern.

Your final decision shouldn’t just be about aesthetics, but also what works for your lifestyle, budget, and property size. We’ve put this blog together in the hope of guiding you to the correct decision, but if you’re still uncertain, feel free to call us on 01277 230101.

Conservatories

Conservatories have a long history in Britain, dating back to the 19th century, when the Crystal Palace inspired homeowners to bring the outdoors in. Today, modern conservatories still capture that charm, combining traditional elegance with advanced thermal efficiency.

At Advanced Glazing Systems, we offer a wide range of conservatory styles, including:

• Edwardian conservatories – classic rectangular designs with a high-pitched roof, offering plenty of natural light and a spacious feel.
• Victorian conservatories – curved front façades with ornate detailing that suit period properties, providing a distinctive look and a flexible layout.
• Lean-to or garden room conservatories – simple, modern structures ideal for smaller gardens or side-of-home installations.
• Gable roof conservatories – striking, symmetrical roofs that give a grand sense of space, perfect for open plan living.
• Livinroom conservatories – combine glazed roofs with structural elements to feel more like a full room or extension, offering year-round comfort.

Orangeries: a type of extension

While conservatories emphasise glass, orangeries lean towards brick walls, solid roofs, and a more permanent feel, making them a middle ground between a conservatory and a full house extension.

At Advanced Glazing Systems, our Livin orangeries blend brick and glass flat roofs, creating a bright, stylish space that can function as a dining room, home office, or garden room.

Key differences from conservatories:

• More insulated walls and roof, delivering better thermal efficiency.
• Structural brickwork, giving a solid room feel.
• Design flexibility for open-plan layouts, larger spans of bi-fold or sliding doors, and integration into existing architecture.
• Internal pelmets and ceiling finishes for lighting and décor options.

In short, orangeries provide a new space that feels part of your home, warm in winter, cool in summer, and still flooded with natural light thanks to roof lanterns or glazed panels.

Key differences between conservatories and orangeries

Feature	Conservatories	Orangeries (extensions)
Appearance	Predominantly glass; lightweight, airy	Mix of brick walls and glass; more like a permanent room
Thermal performance	Good, depends on roof and glazing; some solar gain	Excellent; solid roof and brickwork offer higher insulation
Design flexibility	Wide range of styles, ideal for smaller spaces	Flexible layouts can integrate into open-plan design
Brickwork	Minimal, usually dwarf walls	Full brick walls possible, stronger structure
Roof	Glass or tiled, high-pitched, or lean-to	Solid or glass combination (e.g., Livinroof)
Cost	Typically lower than full extensions	Higher due to materials, structure, and labour
Planning	Often permitted development if no more than 3m projection for terraced and 4m projection for detached properties.	May need local authority Building Regulations approval for larger builds

Understanding the differences in more detail

Appearance and style

Conservatories

Conservatories bring plenty of natural light into a home and maintain the charm of traditional glass rooms, especially with Edwardian or Victorian styles. Glass walls can create a seamless connection to garden space, ideal for enjoying citrus trees or your lawn.

Orangeries

Orangeries blend brick and glass, offering greater privacy and a room-like feel. Roof lanterns and glazed panels provide natural light from all angles without compromising the solidity of brick walls or thermal efficiency.

Thermal efficiency and insulation

Conservatories

With modern double-glazing, Argon gas-filled units, and A-rated energy efficiency, conservatories now offer comfortable temperatures year-round. However, older polycarbonate conservatories may result in warmer summers and cooler winters unless ventilation and blinds are considered, something you won’t need to worry about with modern installations.

Orangeries

Orangeries are incredibly energy-efficient due to solid roofs, insulated walls, and added glazing, creating a temperature-controlled space. They’re ideal if you want independent heating systems or a room that feels part of your home all year.

Planning permission and building regulations

Conservatories

Most conservatories fall under permitted development rights, meaning no planning permission is needed if they are single-storey, at ground level, and within certain depths from the main house. Building regulations still apply for electrical work and energy efficiency.

Orangeries

Larger orangeries may require building regulations approval and local authority consent, especially for single storey extensions over a certain size. However, they offer more flexibility in layout and integration into the rest of your home.

Design flexibility

Conservatories

Perfect for sun rooms, garden offices, or home gyms, conservatories can adapt to various garden spaces and property styles. Multiple roof types, frame colours, and glass options allow personalised design while maintaining light-filled interiors.

Orangeries

Orangeries allow for larger open-plan layouts. They’re a better option if you need extra living space that blends seamlessly with the rest of the house and supports structural additions.

Choose conservatories if

• You want a bright, airy space with glass walls and plenty of natural light.
• You’re seeking a cost-effective option for extra living space.
• Your garden space or side of the home is limited.
• You want a classic conservatory design to complement a traditional property.
• You’re looking for a quick build under permitted development rights.

Choose orangeries if

• You want a more permanent, insulated space with solid roof options.
• You plan to create an open-plan room connecting to the rest of your home.
• You want to increase the value of your home with a single-storey extension.
• You want a custom design integrating brick walls, roof lanterns, and structural enhancements.
• You want a temperature-controlled space suitable for year-round use.

Conservatories from Advanced Glazing Systems

At Advanced Glazing Systems, our conservatories are tailored for Essex and London homes. Highlights include:

• Range of colours: white, cream, grey, light oak, sage green, black, green, Irish oak, rosewood.
• Roof options: Glass, composite tiles, polycarbonate & flat roofs
• Doors: uPVC, French, sliding, or bi-fold.
• Thermal efficiency: double-glazing as standard, energy-efficient frames, and modern ventilation options.
• Customisable features: decorative glass, super-insulated columns, and cornices for personal style.

Our team will guide you every step of the way, ensuring your conservatory design suits your home, lifestyle, and budget.

Orangeries from Advanced Glazing Systems

Our Livin orangeries combine brick walls with glass roofing, offering:

• Internal pelmets and lighting options.
• Thermal efficiency through solid roofs and insulated walls.
• Open-plan layouts with large spans for bi-fold or sliding doors.
• Versatility: perfect for dining rooms, garden offices, or play areas.
• Customisable finishes: cream, white, sage green, light oak, black, grey, Irish oak, rosewood.

Whether you’re replacing a conservatory roof or planning a new orangery extension, our design team ensures your space integrates seamlessly with the rest of your home.

FAQs

What is double glazing and how does it make my home more energy efficient?

Double glazing uses two panes of glass with a gas-filled cavity in between, reducing heat loss and helping maintain comfortable temperatures.

Do I need planning permission for a conservatory or extension?

Most conservatories fall under permitted development rules. Extensions or orangeries over certain square metres or at the front of the house may require local authority approval.

What colours are available for uPVC or aluminium windows?

We offer a wide range of colours, including white, cream, grey, light oak, sage green, black, Irish oak, and rosewood.

Who are Advanced Glazing Systems?

Founded in 2004 by John, Andrew, and Julie Barnett, Advanced Glazing Systems is a family-run glazing supplier and installer covering Essex and London. We focus on high-quality, energy-efficient windows, doors, conservatories, and orangeries.

Accreditations:

• FENSA
• Which? Trusted Trader
• Trustmark
• And more

Contact us: +44 (1277) 230101 or sales@advancedglazingsystems.co.uk.

Office visits: welcome to view a range of displays, including flush sash windows, aluminium doors, and tilt and turn windows.

Guarantees: 10-year insurance-backed guarantee on all windows, doors, and conservatories, providing peace of mind and long-term protection.

To summarise

• Conservatories are glass-based, bright, and airy, ideal for sunrooms or garden offices.
• Orangeries (extensions) provide solid, insulated spaces for year-round use.
• Thermal efficiency, planning permission, and design flexibility differ between the two options.
• Both options can increase the value of your home and provide extra living space.
• Advanced Glazing Systems offers expert advice, bespoke designs, and trusted installation across Essex and London.

If you’re unsure which is the better option, our team at Advanced Glazing Systems can guide you every step of the way, helping you create a home that suits your lifestyle. Get in touch today to discuss your project.