Orangeries have been termed as buildings made of large glass windows. These can be used for cultivation of plants or for other purposes. The main need to build orangeries is to provide shelter for delicate plants. The other reason is, the image status from wealthy people. The choice of materials may be different in these cases.
When they are constructed south-facing, brick or stone bases are used for construction. A corbelled gutter arrangement is seen with brick and stone pillars. Large tall windows are used for providing warm light in the afternoons. When north facing orangeries are constructed, then heavy solid walls are constructed. For keeping the room warm, usually smaller windows are being used for such type of orangeries. At earlier times, straw was used as an insulation material and many wooden shutters were used for keeping the room warm.
The design of an orangery is different from that of conservatories. Majority of the work for an orangery includes brickwork instead of uPVC that is used for constructing conservatories. The look of an orangery is much good than that of a conservatory. Also the price for constructing an orangery is much higher than that of conservatory.
An orangery has more floor space and a lot of furniture such as tables, chairs, and sofas can be placed in the room. A lantern roof is used in orangeries. A lantern roof is nothing but a normal flat roof with a middle section containing a large pitch glass roof. The solidity of orangeries is maintained by building materials. Masonry walls are first built up and then a glass is extended up to the roof. As the house is also made of bricks, there is a way of matching orangeries with the look of the house.
Hardwood is generally used these days for constructing orangeries. The masonry walls of orangeries give a traditional look where as a hardwood wall helps in giving more contemporary look.
