Historic elegance: hardwood orangeries and conservatories

During the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries, orangeries became a fashion statement among the aristocracy. The parks and estates of the wealthy were at once wild and controlled, with natural elements such as trees, streams and lakes carefully arranged to create glorious vistas to be viewed from the house. Buildings placed within this landscape had to be beautiful, but not necessarily functional. Follies and temples were added purely for effect, although Orangeries served a practical, as well as an aesthetic, purpose. In the same way that conservatories were originally designed to ‘conserve’ plants, orangeries were built to house orange trees.

Whereas oranges usually grew only in subtropical and tropical environments, orangeries allowed them to be grown in Britain, where they were brought inside during the winter months. The original orangeries had huge doors which allowed the potted trees to be wheeled in and out. As the trees required a lot of light, there were large windows, and the building functioned in a similar way to a greenhouse.

Today, orangeries are not the sole preserve of the aristocracy, and can be provided by a number of companies nationwide. While they were often separate buildings in the past, orangeries are now usually attached to people’s homes in the same way a conventional conservatory is. An orangery is generally a more substantial construction than a conservatory, with less glass and more stone or brick. While the large windows still let in plenty of light, an orangery provides more privacy than a traditional conservatory, allowing the space to be used for entertaining or relaxation, without the feeling of being ‘on show’. For more information, click here.

Adding an orangery to a house conveys a sense of class and opulence that is enhanced by the quality of a hardwood frame. While uPVC is a cost-effective and practical alternative, hardwood conservatories often have more aesthetic appeal.  Wood is low-maintenance and can be stained and painted to create a unique and personal construction.

Another advantage of timber is that it is environmentally friendly. Its production involves no harmful chemicals and uses little water or energy other than sunlight and rain. It is also a sustainable resource – the felling of older trees and planting of new ones can be done continuously, provided that woodlands are properly managed. As trees absorb carbon dioxide, having large areas of woodland can also help combat climate change.

Hardwood conservatories and orangeries come in a wide variety of styles that fit with virtually any property. Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian designs all have unique features, and as their names imply, suit buildings of those periods.  There are no set rules in conservatory design, however, and styles can be mixed and matched. Some properties benefit from a so-called ‘cloister’ conservatory, which creates a covered area connecting two areas of the house, much like the cloisters of medieval abbeys. Conservatories and orangeries of any sort, however, can give a touch of historic character and charm to any property, especially when made of timber.

ConservatoryQuote Online provide an online quotation service which allows users to get quotes on conservatories and orangeries from a range of UK manufacturers and suppliers. There is a wealth of information on the site to help customers make an informed decision, and the site’s ‘best price deal’ means that prices are always competitive. Contact them for more information