2011年2月1日星期二

Home Improvement - What Is An Orangery? What Are The Benefits?

By Mark Walters


Since the middle of the 1980s conservatories have been gaining in popularity for a variety of reasons. The real estate boom has played a big part in the boost in popularity of conservatories though it is not the sole reason why so many people have decided to purchase them. With improvements in materials and technology, conservatories have become easier to build and longer lasting, whilst also, combined with the incorporation of double glazed windows, much better at insulating against heat loss.

That huge popularity that the conservatory has enjoyed for so long is now floundering, the foundations being taken away by a new upstart, at least in the incorporation into new home designs that is. Orangeries are the new conservatory; with similar but more modern designs it is not hard to see why. Although there are some similarities, there are also a number of major differences, but the main ethos to which the conservatory and orangery aim are identical; to provide an indoor area that is light and airy.

When looking at the two constructions from the outside, their designs will be similar except orangeries have a more substantial appearance. Orangeries are built utilizing brick or stone pillars as supports for a glass or tiled roof. The pillars are then separated with large sheets of double (or single) glazed glass panes which allow light to permeate through into the room and provide enhanced outside views of the garden. The roof is built onto a pelmet which surrounds the top of the orangery. Roofing can be made of a number of materials and whereas glass is the most common, slate tiles or other materials can be used.

Orangeries also commonly feature large double French doors which open out into the garden but over the last few years there has been a massive increase in popularity for bi-folding doors used in orangery designs. Installing bi-folding doors to an orangery, with outdoor decking that is the same height as the floor inside the orangery, creates a very contemporary design that makes it hard to distinguish where the decking ends and the orangery begins, ultimately bringing the outdoors indoors.

Orangeries were first introduced to the world over four hundred years ago and were initially built using tiled roofs. What is great about orangeries is that, unlike most conservatory designs, orangeries look great on old and new buildings alike. With the vast options available when designing one, it is likely that (as long as you stick to your budget) you can end up with something that suits not only your house, but also your dreams.




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