Is an Orangery Energy Efficient?
The properties in which we’ve installed products such as our Slim line Roof Lanterns or Evolution Timber Alternative Windows can be safe in the knowledge that the warmth produced by costly central heating is staying where it should be – in your home, keeping you cosy.
With our glazed Roof Solutions you have benefits such as comfortable, year-round room use, reduction to the risk of condensation and the all important lower heating and air conditioning bills, thanks to their track record of being twice as efficient as their competitors.
When it comes to Evolution Timber Alternative, not only are they a great substitution for high maintenance timber windows but they also come with an A Rating as standard. With the highest efficiency and U values in the industry, not only will Evolution Windows installed by Rococo look stunning but they will also make a significant difference to your heat conservation.
If you want even more from your windows, Evolution offer the ability to upgrade their products to triple glazing as well as acoustic glass to minimise sound pollution.
All of the products Rococo stocks are extremely high quality making them a wise investment as well as an aesthetic upgrade!
What are the benefits of using a local company?
We supply home improvement solutions across Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Surrey and East Sussex so offer the convenience and knowledge of regional coverage while providing the benefits of a small, family run, local business. There are a number of advantages to choosing a local company and ROCOCO in particular which you can read about below.
Visit our showroom Living nearby means you can visit our Romsey based showroom to see a range of the products we install and talk through your ideas with our expert designers at a time that’s convenient to you. Appointments are available six days a week or we can come and visit you at home to discuss your project plans.
We’ll liaise with everyone involved No matter who’s involved in your home improvement project, whether an architect or builder, we’ll be more than happy to visit them on site to make sure everything is correct prior to installation. As most properties are relatively near to our base, extra visits to ensure everything is running smoothly is not a problem.
Local references With local companies you’re able to ask friends, family and neighbours for honest and genuine reviews of previous projects and maybe get the chance to have a look for yourself. Although our website is continually updated with case studies and we always do our utmost to provide the best service possible, good old word of mouth never fails.
Someone nearby If any issues do arise at any point it means there’s always someone nearby to resolve it as efficiently as possible. We’re committed to providing fantastic customer service so will strive to iron out any problems with no delay.
Community support Local businesses contribute to the local area so choosing ROCOCO means you’re doing your part for the community and local economy. Not only will you end up with your dream home, but everyone around you eventually benefits too.
Do we need planning permission?
Conservatories & Extensions
Conservatories and extensions are considered a permitted development meaning you do NOT need an application for planning permission. However, this is subject to a number of conditions of which some are mentioned below. These differ slightly depending on whether it’s a conservatory or extension so check the Planning Portal website before going ahead.
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No more than half the area of land around the original house would be covered by additions or other buildings.
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No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.
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No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
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Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres.
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Maximum eaves height of an extension within two metres of the boundary of three metres.
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Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match existing house.
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Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width no more than half that of the original house.
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No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
Windows & Doors
You do not usually need to apply for planning permission for:
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Repairs, maintenance, and minor improvements such as repainting window and door frames.
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Insertion of new windows and doors that are of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the house.
Roof
The permitted development rules allows for alterations subject to the following conditions:
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Any alternation to project no more than 150mm from the existing roof plane.
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No alteration to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
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Side facing window to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor.
How to keep your orangery cool
A Fan
A fan may seem like an obvious choice when it comes to cooling down a room, however there are some simple fixes you can apply to your fans to make them suit your situation better. It may be worth using a portable fan as a quick fix solution during the summer. Or, as a permanent addition, you could have a ceiling fan installed. Ceiling fans can be bought as an attachment to a light bulb or lamp, therefore they can cheaper than you think to install, and they will give you the opportunity to control the lighting and the temperature together.
Heat Reduction Film
A popular alternative to blinds, heat reduction film is applied to the roof of your orangery in order to reduce and control the amount of heat and light that enters the room.
Blinds
It would be impossible to have a blind built into the frame of each window in an orangery, therefore you can customise how much sunlight and heat enters the room by focusing on larger areas. Make sure you get external advice when buying new blinds, as experts will be able to advise you on the best material, shape and mechanical workings for your needs.
Air Conditioning
An air conditioning system can be maintained throughout the summer and the winter, ensuring that your orangery remains at a comfortable temperature throughout the year. Most air conditioning systems are now built with air-purifying filtration systems, therefore the quality of the air in the room will improve, as well as the overall circulation.
Good Ventilation Levels
Ensuring you make the best effort to keep your orangery ventilated is definitely one of the cheaper options on the list. Keeping air flow consistent by opening windows and doors on both sides of the house will help maintain a relaxed temperature. However, if you are looking to add even more ventilation, you could have roof vents installed. Purchase these from a high quality supplier and fitter to avoid any leaking, damage or weak points.
Advantages of having an orangery in the summer
If you’re thinking of improving your home with an orangery, now is definitely the time to do so. As summer starts and temperatures rise, what better way to spend time with your family and friends than in a luxurious sun lounge, that interacts both your garden and your inside living spaces at the same time. Not only do conservatories look elegant, innovative and down-right stylish, but they also have plenty of practical features that can potentially save you money, as well as making certain living predicaments easier to maintain. Here at Rococo, we offer a wide range of high quality and bespoke conservatory designs, each of which are crafted with stunning materials. We’d love to share these life enhancing features with you, so here are our top reasons why you should invest in a conservatory this summer.
- An orangery will immediately give you more living space. Your downstairs living areas will completely open up, and with the natural light seeping in through multiple windows, rooms will appear larger than they are.
- Through double or triple glazed glass, the economical values of an orangery can be hugely beneficial. Saving you heating and electric bills throughout the year, the building’s structure is made to absorb and seal in heat, however with access to many windows and a door, it doesn’t take long to cool your house down either.
- You can get amazing ambient light quality in a orangery, and with a large percentage of glass at your disposal, you can personalise your use of sunlight, even more so if you install some flexible blinds.
- An orangery provides a smoother transition from your living or dining room into the garden. It brings the garden into the house, especially when it is complemented with a patio area or matching furniture.
- Not only do they add amazing depth to your living space when there’s glorious sunshine in the sky, they can also be very cosy and relaxing - especially on a wet and windy day.
- Orangeries make amazing dining rooms, with lots of light, great views and a wonderful ambience in the evening – it’s a wonderful place to entertain family and friends.
What's the difference between a conservatory and an orangery?
You’re thinking about getting an extension on your home to increase your living space and provide a room where you can relax, entertain and enjoy your garden, but after a quick online search it becomes obvious there are a number of options to consider, and yet the difference between the two most popular choices; a conservatory and an orangery, remains a mystery to most.
With the heightened popularity of Grand Designs and people now wanting a much more bespoke solution, we think the distinction between the two ought to be made clear to help make your decision that little bit easier.
When someone says the word conservatory there’s no mistaking what they mean a room with a glass ceiling and walls that allows in optimal light. However, where the term orangery is used much less, the confusion can set in.
The idea of an orangery was conceived in Italy in the 17th century, where some of the more wealthy homes built them to grow citrus trees and protect them from the frosty weather. It’s generally accepted that conservatories followed, the difference being they were used for the protection of shrubs and herb plants rather than fruit.
These days, there are still fundamental differences when it comes to construction and design. Conservatories tend to feel like an additional room, sharing similar design features to the rest of the house and complimenting it in terms of colour and tone. They use minimal brickwork and the glass is separated only by narrow frames, thus making it the ideal solution if you wish to view the garden from a room and have it still feeling like part of the house.
On the other hand, orangeries are designed as a bespoke family room, dining or kitchen extension and add a touch of elegance to a property while subtly blending in with the rest of the house. Being much larger constructions, they traditionally involve lots of brickwork, have large windows, bi-folding doors of aluminium sliding doors and a glass lantern ceiling. Thermally they vastly out perform a conservatory and will be specified to meet and exceed building regulation and heat loss calculations. Unlike conservatories they’re seen more as extensions of the home with an emphasis on luxury.
Both conservatories and orangeries offer flexibility in terms of materials and here at Rococo, designs can be tailored to your exact requirements meaning that whatever you choose, you’ll end up with the perfect solution to make your home feel complete.
Ready to transform your home - Explore our range of Orangeries and Extensions:
- Modern Orangeries: Create a fresh contemporary space with a beautiful orangery. Explore the possibilities and transform your home! Explore Modern Orangeries
- Traditional Orangeries: Embrace timeless elegance and classic appeal with our traditional orangeries. Experience the beauty that stands the test of time. Discover Traditional Orangeries
- Bespoke Extensions: Tailor-made to suit your unique needs, our bespoke extensions are designed to perfection. Let us create a space that reflects your personality and style. Create Your Bespoke Extension
- Kitchen Extensions: Enjoy your home even more with a kitchen extension. From cooking to entertaining, create the perfect space for your passion. Enhance Your Kitchen with an Extension
Why choose an Orangery?
If you’re reluctant to leave your property, there is often a solution to transform your home into something special. Through designs, technology and adaptation, there are several versatile ways to convert sections of your home into an unbelievable feature. One of those options, is an orangery.
Much like a conservatory, they showcase a whole new perspective of light into your home. Eco-friendly, affordable, stylish – your home will blossom as it connects visually with your garden. Orangeries are individually designed in all shapes and sizes, making it exclusive to your property. You’ll add that ‘wow-factor’ you’ve always wanted, greatly increasing the value of your home. You'll also benefit from having more space to utilise.
Sympathetic to its surroundings, an orangery is designed to adapt and match elements of your home. Through carefully crafted designs and innovative technology, this home improvement will slot nicely onto your home. Your own ideas will be processed with help from architects and industry specialists to create the extension of your dreams, whilst every significant detail is taken into account. Timber shades can be added to the frames, creating a complementing structure that matches the rest of your home. Through the use of traditional techniques, cutting edge designs, modern engineering and outstanding craftsmanship, the finished product will be nothing short of excellence.
Not only can you recreate a dining room, living space, or a little getaway location, orangeries are also extremely eco-friendly. Choose from double or even triple glazed windows that will keep those energy bills low. Securing heat into your house has never been easier, however you can always let the heat of the sun shine through extending bi-fold doors.
Once the structure is up, there is still so much you can add! Personalise your orangery with a roof lantern or skylight, dress your windows with a wide selection of blinds and curtains. You can also choose furniture that suits both your home and your garden, linking the two together.
