Orangery Cost & Prices 2023

Once a hallmark of wealth and affluence, orangeries these days are used as dining rooms, kitchens or living areas. They provide a superb opportunity to create a large, open-plan ground floor living space and are very much in-trend. 

Orangeries have greater continuity with the rest of the house compared to conservatories and appear as more of an extension than a bolt-on addition. 

Their brick-and-mortar construction offers excellent heat insulation which further adds to their credentials as a fully-fledged living space. 

This article will cover what you can expect to pay for an orangery, factors that can affect the cost and other common questions around orangeries.

Average Cost

These average orangery prices are compiled from 5 orangery/conservatory specialists and 6 secondary sources. 

These prices represent the all-in cost including supply, labour and basic fittings only. 

uPVC Orangery Cost

Size of Orangery	uPVC Cost
Small Orangery (3m x 3m)	£18,000 - £27,000
Average-Sized Orangery (4m x 4m)	£32,000 - £48,000
Large Orangery (6m x 4m)	£48,000 - £72,000

Aluminium Orangery Cost

Size of Orangery	Cost
Small Orangery (3m x 3m)	£16,000 - £22,000
Average-Sized Orangery (4m x 4m)	£21,000 - £26,000
Large Orangery (6m x 4m)	£34,000 - £40,000
XL Orangery (8m x 4m+)	£45,000 - £80,000+

Wood/Timber Orangery Cost

Size of Orangery	Cost
Small Orangery (3m x 3m)	£16,000 - £24,000
Average-Sized Orangery (4m x 4m)	£22,000 - £30,000
Large Orangery (6m x 4m)	£35,000 - £45,000
XL Orangery (8m x 4m+)	£50,000 - £100,000+

Factors That Affect the Cost

Type of Materials

Orangery prices vary primarily with the size of the orangery but also the construction materials used and fittings including the windows and doors. 

There are 3 main choices for the orangery frame; uPVC, wood or aluminium.

uPVC

uPVC is the cheapest material for both conservatories and orangeries. uPVC is a type of hard plastic, nearly always white in appearance. 

uPVC is a solid option for smaller, entry-level orangeries but it can lack the more substantial modern or ornate appearance aesthetic of other materials. 

Pros

• Cheapest 
• Lasts at least 10 years or so without maintenance 
• Structurally sound with decent insulative properties

Cons

• Fewer design options
• Potentially dated
• Higher maintenance costs in the long term 

Aluminium

Aluminium can be powder coated in practically any colour – that is aluminium’s main difference from uPVC. Aluminium is very strong and is often built with draft excluders to improve insulation quality. 

Pros

• Intermediate pricing
• Low maintenance 
• Slim frames and more design options

Cons

• Insulation sometimes not so good 

Timber/Wood/Composite 

Timber, wood or composite orangeries are more expensive but they offer much more byways of their aesthetic appearance and quality. Good quality wood is also exceptionally long-lasting. 

Pros 

• Best quality 
• Longest lasting with proper treatment 
• Variety of contemporary styles on offer 

Cons

• Most expensive 

Doors and Fittings 

The doors, windows and interior fittings can greatly influence the price of an orangery. 

Whilst conservatories are usually fitted with patio or French doors, orangeries are more likely to be fitted with bi-folding or sliding doors, which are usually more expensive. 

Bifold doors typically cost between £1,300 and £5,000+.

Windows 

Good-quality double or triple-glazed windows can vastly increase the energy efficiency of an orangery and are a must for underfloor heating. 

High-quality windows cost more but can reduce heating costs and are often guaranteed for longer than cheaper windows. 

Insulation and Heating

Given that orangeries have brick walls, they are generally well-insulated and usable throughout winter, unlike most conservatories. 

The cheapest option for orangery heating will likely be radiators that can be hooked up to the existing heating system. 

Underfloor heating can be more efficient and is a natural fit for well-insulated higher-end orangeries. 

Orangery Vs Conservatory

Orangeries are a fusion between a conservatory and a standard extension. 

Though best compared to conservatories, orangeries appear as a more permanent fixture to a house owing to their brick-and-mortar foundations with full-height pillars, large windows and lantern roof lights. 

You can typically tell an orangery and conservatory apart by the brickwork and roofing. 

Orangeries are not built from mainly glass with a minimal framework like a conservatory is, but instead feature a more substantial brick construction. 

Thanks to their substantial build, orangeries are far more energy-efficient than conservatories are much easier to heat using standard radiators or underfloor heating. 

On balance, orangeries provide a more flexible space than a conservatory and are comfortable to inhabit all throughout the year. 

The hike in cost vs conservatories is often worth it as orangeries provide a greater long-term boost to your home’s value. 

Orangeries and Planning Permission 

Orangeries count as single-storey extensions and in most circumstances, they’re covered by Permitted Development. 

Planning permission is typically not required to construct an orangery, subject to the following terms:

• Materials must be broadly continuous with the house 
• Cannot exceed 4m in height 
• Must not be closer to a public highway than the original house
• Side extensions cannot be wider than half the width of the original house 
• Cannot extend beyond the rear wall by more than 4m for a detached house or 3m for any other house
• Cannot extend beyond halfway into the garden 

By seeking prior approval from a neighbour consultation;

• Rear orangeries can extend by 6m for a semi-detached house or 8m for a detached house
• Full details on the Planning Portal.

Other conditions apply to listed buildings, homes in conservation areas or AONBs and homes built on designated land – planning permission will usually be required. 

It’s also worth noting that Permitted Development only applies if the home has not already been extended. If your home was already extended, you will need planning permission to build an orangery.

Building Regulations 

Orangeries usually require you to adhere to building regulations in order to certify that the extension is properly and safely fitted out for human use and occupation. 

By using a developer or builder that is part of the competent person scheme, you will not need to apply for building regulations yourself (who will self-certify the compliance of the orangery). 

Lawful Development Certificates 

Where there is any query whatsoever about whether or not an orangery complies with Permitted Development, it’s wise to gain a Lawful Development Certificate. 

Many orangery designers and architects can submit the plans to the council on your behalf. 

This usually costs around £80 to £100 depending on the council and takes around 2 weeks to come through. 

Any issues should be raised when the architect/designer surveys your home prior to finalising plans. 

Choosing a Contractor 

There are various memberships and accreditations that you should look out for when choosing a builder for your orangery. 

Membership of the credible person’s scheme is a good place to start and also means you won’t need to deal with building regulations yourself. 

Other memberships to look out for include NHBC or FENSA, CERTASS and DGCOS. Trusted providers will also offer insurance, warranties and guarantees on parts and labour. 

Get Pricing on Orangeries Near You

We’ve done our best to give you a good idea of what you can expect to pay for an orangery.

However, our guides are not a substitute for a fixed quote specifically for you.

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