Conservatories have long been a way to bring the garden closer to everyday life. This guide explains what a conservatory is, the main styles and roof options, how a wooden conservatory will differ from our orangeries and oak-framed garden rooms, and where each fits best. You’ll also find practical notes on planning, materials and maintenance, as well as more information about why many of our clients now choose a fully insulated oak-framed garden room or orangery for year-round living.
What is a Conservatory?
A conservatory is a glazed room attached to the house, traditionally used to cultivate plants and enjoy sunlight. Classic conservatories are predominantly glass with a lightweight roof and minimal solid walls. They’re wonderful for light and views, but the very features that make them bright can also make them harder to regulate for temperature and acoustics compared with a fully insulated extension.
Conservatories vs. greenhouses: A greenhouse is a detached, plant-only structure; a conservatory is connected to the home and used for living.
Popular Conservatory Styles
Victorian
Victorian-style conservatories are recognised by a faceted, semi-octagonal or rounded bay that creates a soft, elegant footprint. The traditional detailing these types offer suits period homes and cottages.
Edwardian
Edwardian conservatories typically feature a rectangular plan with a ridged roof for efficient floor space. They’re great if you want a clean, practical layout for furniture.
Edwardian Gable
This style keeps the Edwardian footprint but adds a front Lean-To (Mediterranean)Lean-To (Mediterranean)gable. The gable apex maximises headroom and light, complementing both period and modern homes.
Lean-To (Mediterranean)
A simple single-slope roof “leaning” from the house wall to the outer frame. Ideal where eaves heights are tight or you want a streamlined look along a garden elevation.
Shaped Plans (P, L, T or U)
Larger plots sometimes combine footprints (e.g., a central bay with side wings) to create zoned seating or dining areas. These demand careful design to ensure proportion, drainage and light control are well resolved.
Conservatory Roof Options
A conservatory’s roof defines its comfort, energy efficiency, and overall character. Advances in glazing, insulation, and precision engineering mean there’s a roof solution for every architectural style, from the traditional Victorian bay to the contemporary oak-framed garden room.
Here are some of the key options you may pick from, explored in a little more detail:
Glass Roofs
Glass conservatory roofs remain a timeless choice for homeowners who value light and transparency. Modern glass technology has transformed what was once a difficult-to-heat or over-bright space into a comfortable, year-round environment.
Advantages:
- They offer uninterrupted sky views and flood the space with natural daylight, creating an uplifting atmosphere.
- They often come with high-performance, low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings that help retain warmth in winter while reflecting solar heat in summer.
- They can be made with double or triple-glazing, with gas-filled cavities that improve thermal efficiency and noise reduction.
To make the most of this roof type, opt for solar-control glazing to reduce glare and UV exposure, and self-cleaning glass to simplify maintenance. Combine them with roof vents or automated opening panels to maintain airflow. Incorporating blinds or external shading helps regulate temperature and light, ensuring comfort in all seasons.
Roof Lanterns
A roof lantern is an architectural centrepiece often found in orangeries and oak-framed garden rooms. It’s a raised, glazed structure set within a flat or pitched roof that brings dramatic light into the heart of the space.
Advantages:
- They act as a visual statement, making them perfect for dining areas or open-plan living spaces where natural light enhances mood and aesthetics.
- They distribute daylight more evenly than vertical glazing alone, brightening deeper parts of the room.
- They can be designed in proportion to suit both period and modern architecture.
Consider:
Because heat naturally rises, warm air can collect at the apex. To manage this, incorporate opening lights, trickle vents, or climate sensors for automated ventilation. For energy-conscious designs, thermally broken aluminium lantern frames and solar-reflective glass maintain efficiency without compromising elegance.
Polycarbonate Roofs
Once the most common conservatory roof material, polycarbonate has gradually been replaced by glass and solid roofing due to performance limitations. However, it still serves as an entry-level or temporary solution.
Advantages:
- It’s lightweight and cost-effective, placing less structural load on existing walls or frames.
- It’s available in various thicknesses and tints, providing moderate heat and light control.
- It’s easy to install and suitable for budget-conscious projects.
Polycarbonate lacks the thermal and acoustic insulation of timber, or even of modern glass, and over time may become discoloured or noisy during rainfall. For homeowners seeking a permanent living space rather than a seasonal one, upgrading to glass or a solid roof offers significantly greater comfort, longevity, and aesthetic appeal.
Tiled or Solid Roofs
Tiled conservatory roofs bridge the gap between a glass extension and a full home addition. They’re often chosen when homeowners want their conservatory to function as a true extension of the house.
Advantages:
- They create a seamless visual connection with the main property, and tiles can be colour-matched for a cohesive exterior.
- They offer excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, ideal for turning a once-seasonal conservatory into a permanent living space.
- The interior ceiling can be plastered and fitted with lighting, making it feel more like a conventional room.
We must note that replacing glass with solid roofing means sacrificing some natural light. To balance this, you may wish to integrate roof lanterns or skylights to preserve openness while achieving the warmth and privacy of a traditional extension.
Wooden Conservatories vs. Orangeries vs. Oak-Framed Garden Rooms
Wooden Conservatories: These are mostly glass walls and a glazed roof, with some timber framing between. They offer excellent daylight and garden connections, but thermal comfort will depend on glazing, ventilation and shading.
Orangeries: These have more masonry or solid oak framing to the sides than a conservatory, with a roof lantern set into a flat or pitched roof. They offer a balanced mix of light, privacy and insulation for dining rooms, kitchens and living spaces.
Oak-Framed Garden Rooms: These are fully insulated, bespoke oak-framed extensions or freestanding structures, designed for year-round use. Glazing is used generously, but the structure, insulation and detailing all meet modern standards for thermal performance and durability.
We specialise in bespoke, Q-Mark Certified oak-framed garden rooms and orangeries, as well as extensions, crafted with precision manufacturing, rigorous quality control and in-house timber grading. If you’ve been looking to create an everyday living space with timeless character, these are often the better choice than a traditional conservatory.
To find out more about why you should consider an oak-framed extension over a conservatory, please see our guide.
Materials in Our Frames vs. Standard Conservatories
Conservatories are commonly built using uPVC, aluminium, or timber frames. Each has its merits, but for discerning homeowners who value authenticity and longevity, green oak or Douglas-fir remains unrivalled.
At English Heritage Buildings, our oak frames are crafted with traditional mortise and tenon joinery, offering exceptional strength, character, and natural insulation. Over time, oak develops a rich patina that enhances the building’s timeless appeal. This is an effect that synthetic materials can’t replicate.
Glazing
Modern glass technology allows for comfort without compromise. Choose Low-E, argon-filled double or triple glazing with solar-control coatings to retain warmth, minimise UV fading, and reduce external noise.
In our orangeries and oak-framed garden rooms, glazing is often combined with insulated panels to deliver the best of both worlds: abundant light and energy efficiency. Insulation is also fitted into the design as standard when you choose one of our garden room designs, meaning you won’t have to worry about specifying this.
Ventilation and Shading
Ventilation is key to comfort. Opening roof vents, trickle vents, and automatic climate controls help balance temperature and airflow, particularly in fully glazed structures. Consider external shading, such as awnings or pergolas, to manage solar gain naturally. The building’s orientation (its position relative to the sun) also influences performance, so thoughtful design at the outset makes all the difference.
Planning and Practicalities
Even a modest conservatory, garden room, or orangery benefits from professional planning and groundwork. Understanding the basics helps ensure your project runs smoothly and meets regulations.
Permissions
Most conservatories fall under permitted development rights, meaning they don’t require planning permission if they meet specific size and placement criteria. However, restrictions apply in conservation areas, listed buildings, and new developments, so it’s wise to confirm with your local authority early in the process.
Building Regulations
A fully glazed conservatory separated from the main house by external doors may be exempt from Building Regulations. However, once the structure is open-plan or insulated for year-round living, it must meet full building standards for energy performance and safety.
English Heritage Buildings’ oak-framed orangeries and garden rooms are engineered to comply with these standards right from the start, ensuring enduring comfort and value.
Foundations and Site
Stable foundations are essential for any extension, even lightweight ones. Proper ground assessment, drainage, and damp protection prevent long-term settlement or moisture ingress. Threshold levels should align with existing floors to ensure accessibility and seamless flow between indoors and outdoors.
Our Planning Support
Our team can connect you with independent planning consultants and provide technical drawings that streamline applications and speed up approvals. Please see our Planning Permission Guide to find out more.
Maintenance and Lifespan
A typical uPVC or aluminium conservatory, while bright and cost-effective, is rarely designed for a lifetime of use. Over time, the materials can warp, discolour, or lose insulation performance, meaning repairs or full replacements are often needed within 20 to 30 years.
By contrast, one of our oak-framed buildings is a long-term investment, crafted to stand the test of time, not the test of seasons.
Timber and Strength
Our oak frames are made from high-quality, sustainably sourced green oak, a material celebrated for its strength, stability, and resistance to decay. Unlike synthetic or lightweight alternatives, oak doesn’t weaken with time. It settles, hardens, and becomes even more robust as it seasons naturally.
The frame itself requires no treatment to remain structurally sound. Only exposed joinery, such as doors, windows, or decorative elements, may need refinishing every few years to preserve their appearance and weather protection. This is maintenance measured in moments, not in costly repairs.
Cleaning and Upkeep
Both conservatories and oak-framed extensions benefit from basic care. Namely, keeping gutters, downpipes, and glazing clear of debris. However, our oak frame should continue to perform beautifully with virtually no intervention, apart from repainting or staining as necessary.
Conservatories, on the other hand, may require regular attention to seals, frames, and roofing due to thermal movement.
Decades-Long Lifespans
Every oak frame produced by us is precision-manufactured, meeting over 20 industry standards for durability and performance. By maintaining the timber’s moisture content below 22% and using meticulous joinery, flashings, and ventilation, we ensure each building resists warping, rot, and distortion – the common issues that shorten a conservatory’s life.
A well-built uPVC conservatory may last 20 to 30 years before showing signs of fatigue. An oak-framed extension or garden room, on the other hand, is designed to last 60 years or more. They often become a heritage feature in their own right, with their strength and character deepening over time and creating a space that feels as timeless as the home they enhance.
Is a Conservatory or Garden Room Right for You?
In conclusion, you should choose a conservatory if you:
- Want maximum glazing and a seasonal sunspace
- Prefer a lighter-weight addition primarily for daytime use.
On the other hand, you should consider a garden room or garden room extension if you:
- Want a true living space for all seasons and uses (e.g. a kitchen extension, family room, or dining room)
- Value insulation, acoustic comfort and architectural presence
- Appreciate bespoke design that complements your home with natural materials and authentic craftsmanship
Why Choose a Structure from English Heritage Buildings?
- Q-Mark Certified Excellence: We were the UK’s first oak-frame manufacturer to achieve this independent quality mark.
- Bespoke Design: Every frame is made to order to fit your architecture, lifestyle and plot.
- Precision Manufacturing: We use state-of-the-art machinery to offer consistent quality control and specialist timber grading.
- Over 30 Years’ Experience: We have a quietly confident, detail-driven approach.
- Fair, Standardised Pricing: Our prices are transparent and reliable quotations that consider wind load, elevation and location from the outset.
Take the Next Step
Thinking about a light-filled space? We’d be delighted to talk through whether a traditional conservatory, an orangery, or a bespoke, oak-framed garden room is the right route for you. Design your own building here on our website or get in touch with us today. We’ll help you shape a design that feels made-to-measure.
