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Extensions

Orangeries

Brick-built garden rooms with a lantern roof and plenty of light. Designed, approved and built by SK Residential, with a fixed price in writing for the agreed specification.

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What is an orangery?

An orangery is a single-storey extension with brick piers or walls, large windows and a glazed lantern set into a solid, insulated roof. It sits between a conservatory and a full extension: lighter than an extension, warmer and more solid than a conservatory.

Brick-pier orangery with glazed lantern roof and French doors on an Edwardian house

We build orangeries on proper foundations with insulated walls and roof perimeter, so they can be used all year as a dining room, sitting room or kitchen extension. The lantern size and the frame finish are chosen to suit the age and style of the house.

Typical time on site
8 to 14 weeks
Guide price
£3,000 to £4,800 per m²
Building regulations
Required

What is included?

  • Design to suit the house style
  • Planning or permitted development check
  • Foundations, brick piers and insulated base
  • Insulated roof perimeter with plastered pelmet
  • Glazed roof lantern and windows or doors
  • Heating, electrics and decoration-ready finish

How much does an orangery cost?

A 16 m² orangery typically costs around £50,000 to £70,000 including VAT.

OrangeriesGuide price incl. VAT
Standard specification£3,000 to £3,500 per m²
Good specification£3,500 to £4,100 per m²
High specification£4,100 to £4,800 per m²

Unit: per m² of floor area. Guide ranges only; your price is fixed in writing after the survey.

Use the guide price tool for a figure based on your size and specification, or see all guide prices.

Does an orangery need planning permission?

England

In England a single-storey rear extension can often go ahead under permitted development: up to 3 m deep on an attached house or 4 m on a detached one, no higher than 4 m, with eaves no higher than 3 m within 2 m of a boundary. Deeper extensions, up to 6 m or 8 m, need prior approval from the council first. Flats, maisonettes, listed buildings and houses whose permitted development rights have been removed need full planning permission.

Wales

Wales has its own permitted development rules, set by the Welsh Government. Small single-storey rear extensions can often go ahead without an application, but the limits differ from England's and there is no larger-extension prior approval route, so we check the current Welsh rules for your house before drawings are finalised.

Scotland

Scotland has its own householder permitted development rules, and small single-storey rear extensions are often covered. Whatever the planning position, you need a building warrant from the council before any building work starts, and a completion certificate at the end.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland permitted development is set by the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015, and small single-storey rear extensions can often go ahead without an application. Building control approval from the council is still needed.

What about building regulations?

Because an orangery is joined to the house without an external door between them and has a mostly solid roof, it is normally treated as an extension and needs building regulations approval.

What should I think about before starting?

  • An orangery open to the house needs to meet energy rules, which limits the proportion of glazing.
  • Timber-look aluminium or timber frames suit period houses.
  • Solar-control glass in the lantern stops summer overheating.
  • Heating should be part of the house system, not a plug-in heater.

How does the project run?

  1. Tell us about the project. Call, use the guide price tool or send the form with a few photos and a postcode.
  2. Free site visit. We measure up, look at access, drains and the structure, and talk through options and budget.
  3. Design and fixed price. You get drawings and a written price for the agreed specification before anything is ordered.
  4. Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.

Questions about orangeries

What is the difference between an orangery and a conservatory?

An orangery has a mostly solid, insulated roof with a glazed lantern and brick piers, so it behaves like a room of the house. A conservatory is mostly glass.

How much does an orangery cost?

Typically £3,000 to £4,800 per square metre including VAT, or around £50,000 to £70,000 for a 16 m² orangery.

Does an orangery need building regulations?

Usually yes, because it is built as part of the house rather than as a separated conservatory.

How long does it take to build?

About 8 to 14 weeks on site.

Can it be used in winter?

Yes. It is insulated and heated like any other room.

Related projects

Where do we build orangeries?

We take on orangeries across England, Wales, mainland Scotland and Northern Ireland. Choose your area:

Planning an extension, loft or new home?

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