Conservatories Glossary

A room that's mainly made of glass, attached to one side of a house. Conservatories must be separated from the rest of the property by external doors and windows and fitted with their own independent heating system that's controlled separately from the rest of the house. There is also a collection of rules and regulations that the structure must adhere to, to avoid having to obtain planning permission to build it.

The purpose of a cornice is to protect the structure from rainwater and hide the conservatory guttering and rafter ends, for a clean and attractive finish. Cornices can be added to new or existing conservatories, orangeries, or extensions.

Also known as Georgian conservatories, Edwardian conservatories have a square or rectangular floor, a sloping ridged roof, and symmetrical flat sides.

A variant of the Edwardian/Georgian conservatory style, Gable conservatories have a rectangular floor with a triangular front and a high vaulted roof that meets in the middle.

Spotlights that are integrated into an extensions’ ceiling.

A way to create a modern look inside a conservatory, offering effective ventilation so that air can flow freely through the roof area to provide additional protection against condensation.

Lantern roofs are made up of angled glazed panels that allow the light to flow in, which creates a stunning architectural glazed focal point. Lantern roofs can be added to conservatories, orangeries, extensions, and any flat-roofed structure.

Lean-to conservatories have a variable sloped roof that leans onto the main property.

Ideal for larger, detached properties, P shape conservatories combine the long and rectangular Lean-to style with the curved Victorian conservatory style.

Ideal for larger properties, T shape conservatories are known as a 'combination conservatory'. Featuring a central projection, they can be Victorian, Gable, or Edwardian/Georgian in style.

Orangeries were originally built by wealthy landowners to protect their valuable citrus trees from wintery, icy conditions. Now added to homes in need of more space, light, and character, orangeries feature brick and solid sections; ideally bridging the gap between conservatories and extensions.

Victorian conservatories have elegant pitched roofs, with three or five facets (sides) that create a beautiful curved appearance.