An orangery gives you a brighter, more extension-style living space – often with more solid structure and a glazed lantern/atrium to bring light into the centre of the room.
A brighter extension-style living space
Orangeries are popular for homeowners who want a room that feels more connected to the main house, while still enjoying the light and garden views you’d expect from a glazed space.
Key benefits
A more substantial feel than a traditional conservatory
Excellent daylight with a lantern/atrium roof option
Great for open-plan kitchen/dining or family rooms
Designed to blend with the style of your home
Click to enlarge images
Orangery roofs and glazed lanterns (atriums)
Many people don’t search for “atrium” – they just want that bright, modern roof feature. We can advise on the best lantern / atrium style for your space.
Glazed lantern / atrium roof
A striking way to bring light into the centre of the room while keeping the surrounding roof structure more solid.
Key points:
Strong natural light from above
Clean, modern look that suits many homes
Options available depending on design and structure
Flat-style orangery roof options (where applicable)
If your design suits a flatter roof form, we’ll advise on the best solution and the right balance of light and insulation.
Doors and openings
Orangeries often use wider openings to connect to patios and gardens.
We’ll recommend the best style based on opening width, traffic flow and furniture layout.
Glazing and privacy options
From performance glass to privacy and decorative options, we’ll help you choose glazing that suits how you’ll use the space – and where it sits in relation to neighbours and sun direction.
Brochures & Resources
Helpful resources
Welsh Government – Planning permission: permitted development rights for householders
Welsh Government – Householder permitted development technical guide (PDF)
Planning Portal – Interactive House
Please note this informative but is aimed at homes in England.
Building Regulations (Building Control)
Most home improvement work has Building Regulations considerations, but what’s required depends on the scope of work.
Replacement windows and external doors are “controlled fittings” and must meet Building Regulations (for example energy efficiency, safety glazing, ventilation and means of escape where relevant).
Distinction Windows is FENSA registered, which means we can self-certify qualifying replacement window and door installations and provide certification as proof of compliance.
Conservatories in Wales are normally exempt from Building Regulations approval when they meet certain conditions (for example: ground level, under 30m², thermally separated from the house by external-quality doors/walls/windows, no fixed heating or heating system extended into the conservatory, and glazing/electrics comply). Exemptions aren’t automatic — it depends on the design and specification.
Important: even where the conservatory is exempt, a new structural opening between the conservatory and the house will require Building Regulations approval.
Porches can also be exempt in Wales in many cases, but (among other factors) the existing front entrance door must remain in place, and the porch must not adversely affect level/ramped disabled access where this applies.
Orangeries and other extension-style glazed spaces, especially those with more solid roofs/walls, may require Building Regulations approval depending on the scope of works.
We’ll flag anything likely to need Building Control approval during survey. If there’s any doubt, we recommend confirming with your local authority Building Control for peace of mind.
Planning Permission
Planning rules vary depending on the size and position of what you’re building. Many domestic projects can fall under permitted development, but this depends on limits/conditions and whether your property still has permitted development rights.
In Wales, conservatories are treated the same as single-storey extensions for planning purposes, and permitted development is subject to specific limits and conditions (including restrictions around principal elevations, boundaries, designated land and listed buildings).
Porches in Wales are typically permitted development provided:
external ground area is no more than 3m²
height is no more than 3m
no part is within 2m of a boundary and the highway
(And these allowances apply to houses, not flats/maisonettes, and may be removed by the local authority.)
Planning an orangery?
Get a free, no-obligation quote and we’ll help shape the right design for your home.