Oak Framed Orangeries & Garden Rooms
The orangery is one of the oldest light-filled additions in British domestic architecture, originally for growing citrus, now mostly for breakfasts, late afternoons, and the kind of conversations that need a long table and a bottle of something.
Our oak orangeries combine traditional construction, pegged oak frame, brick or stone base, glazed lantern roof, with modern thermal performance. The buildings are heated, glazed to current U-values, and designed to be used every day, every season.
Homeowners adding a light-filled space that genuinely changes how they use the rest of the house, for breakfasts, late afternoons, drinks parties, quiet reading.
Configurations and options
Traditional Orangery
Brick or stone base, oak frame above, central glazed lantern roof. The classic form.
- Masonry base to window height
- Central lantern roof
- Full glazed sides
- Reads as a heritage addition
Oak Garden Room
Full-height oak frame, glazed walls floor to ceiling, slate or tile roof.
- Maximum light
- Lighter visual weight than an orangery
- Suits contemporary houses
Lantern Roof Orangery
Flat-glazed or insulated roof with a central lantern feature for top light.
- Flexible footprint
- Strong central feature
- Suits side-return geometry
Side-Return Extension
Narrower form fitting between existing party walls. Common on Victorian and Edwardian terraces.
- Maximises constrained plots
- Often combined with kitchen rework
- Roof lights or shallow lantern
Pavilion-Style
Standalone structure connected to the main house by a glazed link.
- Reads as separate building
- Useful where extension footprint is restricted
- Often used for studio or dining pavilion
What we use
Oak Frame
Green or seasoned European oak, mortice-and-tenon jointed and pegged. Engineered to current structural standards.
Glazing
Argon-filled double glazing as standard (U around 1.4). Triple glazing and solar-control coatings on request. All units factory-sealed and lifetime-warranted.
Brick or Stone Base
Matched to the host building wherever possible. Locally-sourced stone or reclaimed brick on heritage projects.
Roofing
Natural slate, clay tile, or lead flat sections depending on form. All detailed for our coastal weather.
Typical pricing
From £45,000
Subject to specification and site conditions.
Currently quoting
Spring 2027
Lead times updated quarterly.
Examples of our oak framed orangeries & garden rooms
Genuine examples, all our own work.
What we don’t do
We do not retrofit aluminium conservatories. If you want an aluminium conservatory, there are companies that do excellent work in that material. Our work starts at a different price point and serves a different purpose.
Things people ask us
Do orangeries need planning permission?
Single-storey rear orangeries can sometimes fall under Permitted Development if the volume and proximity to boundaries fit. Side-return and larger orangeries almost always need planning consent. We handle the application as part of the design service.
What thermal performance do they achieve?
Our standard glazed walls reach a U-value around 1.4 W/m2K with argon-filled double glazing; triple glazing brings that under 1.0. The masonry base, oak frame, and lantern detail are all specified to current Building Regs Part L.
How do you heat them?
Underfloor heating is the most popular, quiet, even, and frees the walls. We also fit traditional radiators or electric panel heaters where the existing system does not reach. UFH integrates well with air-source heat pumps if you are upgrading the wider home.
Double or triple glazing?
Double is enough for most projects. Triple is worth it if the orangery faces north, if you want minimum heat loss, or if you are working to Passivhaus principles. Solar-control glass on south-facing elevations is often more useful than triple glazing.
How do you integrate it with the existing house?
Matching brick, matching plinth heights, continuous floor levels through to the host room, and a deliberate decision on whether to read as new or as if it has always been there. The first design conversation covers all of this.
What lighting design do you recommend?
Recessed perimeter spots in the lantern frame, plus pendant or wall lighting at table height. The aim is layered light, bright when needed, soft and atmospheric in the evening.
How do you handle ventilation?
Roof lantern openers (manual or actuator-driven), opening casements at low level for cross-ventilation, and sometimes a small MVHR unit on larger or more airtight builds.
What are typical lead times?
12-18 months from first conversation, including planning. The frame manufacture itself is 8-12 weeks; on-site build is typically 10-14 weeks.
Thinking about a project?
Tell us what you have in mind. We aim to respond within one working day.