Orangeries were often viewed in the past as exotic rooms in which wealthy owners could show off their exotic collections of plants! Over time this has very much changed so that orangeries are now very much more commonplace and have a wide range of uses. Orangeries these days provide a cost-effective extension of a property’s living space, custom-designed for whatever purpose you want.
The cost of an orangery in Scotland differs depending on a number of factors, most importantly the complexities of the orangery design itself and the material chosen. It is possible to have an orangery installed for far less than a standard extension.
Average Cost of Orangeries in Scotland
The average cost of orangeries in Scotland is a good way of determining the amount you’re likely to spend. However, the information here is very general and will depend on the complexities of your installation – the breakdown of the costs will come later.
For every square metre, you’re perhaps looking at around £2,000 to £2,500 per square metre, with the price including installation and any electrical wiring, finishing, lighting and property integration that is required.
Nonetheless, let’s start with the smallest to largest.
What is the cost of small orangeries in Scotland?
Small orangeries typically range from 3m x 3m to 4.5m x 4.5m. These sizes are quite small and are usually attached to the house itself, often being used purely as a sunroom or an area to grow plants.
The estimated cost is as follows:
- Aluminium orangery – average price between £16,000 – £22,000
- Timber frame orangery – average price of £16,000 – £24,000
- uPVC orangery – average prices range from £18,000 – £27,000
How much do medium orangeries cost?
A medium-sized orangery in Scotland is between 4m x 4m to 6m x 6m.
The estimated cost is as follows:
- Aluminium orangery – average price between £21,000 to £26,000.
- Timber frame orangery – average price of £22,000 to £30,000.
- uPVC orangery – £32,000 to £48,000.
What’s the price of large orangeries?
A large-sized orangery in Scotland is 6m x 4m.
The estimated cost is as follows:
- Aluminium orangery – average price between £34,000 – £40,000.
- Timber frame orangery – average price of £35,000 – £45,000
- uPVC orangery – average price of £48,000 – £72,000
What is factored into the cost of orangeries?
Before we get fully into the average costs of orangeries in Scotland, it’s best to understand what makes up the price. After all, orangeries have a lot of different intended uses, and considerations such as longevity, style and functionality (insulation options, for example).
Cost of orangeries by size
It should be obvious that larger orangeries will be more costly. This is due to the increased amount of materials required, including glass, framing, flooring and roofing materials. These materials will also have to be transported during the labour. Typically, as a rule, it costs between £2,000 and £2,500 per square metre.
The height of orangeries also adds specific complexities to the project that result in higher cost. For example, the taller the orangery is, the more elaborate the roof is likely to be. The taller a structure is, the more sophisticated the heating system has to be to reach comfortable, consistent temperatures.
Do frame materials cost a lot in orangeries?
One of the major decisions you’ll have to make about your orangery is the material you will use for its frame. The most common materials are timber, aluminium and uPVC.
- Timber – Timber is essentially high-quality wood that has been treated to become as hard and resistant as possible. It is an elegant option that exudes sophistication, and that is reflected in its expensive price. You will need to maintain the wood and add finishes to boost its resistance, as wood is weak to the elements.
- Aluminium – Aluminium is a light metal that is resistant to corrosion, warping and fading. This means a minimal amount of maintenance is required when compared to timber. The flexible nature of aluminium allows for differing designs, especially when it comes to glass, as it is one of the few framing options that accommodates slimmer frames for more glass area.
- uPVC – uPVC is famous for its longevity, as well as the massive amount of benefits it offers to architectural structures. It is resistant to rot, decay, and fading and doesn’t require repainting. On top of this, it’s a very thermally efficient material, meaning your orangery will receive a good boost to insulation performance.
What prices are the materials used in orangery roofs?
There are three main types of materials used in Orangery roofs, each of which has different benefits and prices:
- Glass Roofs – Glass is often associated with being weak and energy inefficient, but glazing standards have improved massively since the days of weak single-paned glass. Both stronger and insulated, glazed glass is more or less mandatory in an orangery and can provide great natural light. Whilst glazed glass has become more cost-effective, that cost is increased when considering installing it into a roof space – as the process can be complex in some orangeries. This makes it fairly hard to determine how pricey a glass roof could be, as they’re usually quite customisable, and depend on the size of the orangery itself.
- Polycarbonate – Polycarbonate is much less expensive than glass roofs. In fact, for a medium-sized orangery, you’re looking at spending around £500 to £1,500. This is fairly inexpensive and durable for the cost, however, you can further enhance the material by adding reinforced UV protection, heat reduction etc.
- Tiled Roofs – A tiled roof in a medium-sized orangery can range from £3,000 to £7,000. A lot of this is based on the materials of the tiles themselves. Natural tiles are expensive due to their durability, aesthetic appeal, or the quarrying and processing required to get them. Manufactured tiles are different, as they are more affordable due to their less intensive manufacturing process.
What materials are used in an orangery’s glass and how much do they cost?
The standard of glass in the UK is double-glazing, especially with the push for increased energy efficiency by the government. This is especially the case in an orangery, as a connection to the outdoors is the entire point of the building. As such, glazed glass is needed, and becomes a consideration when factoring in cost:
- Double Glazing – The most common glazing option. You are looking at approximately £100 to £250 for a square metre of glass.
- Triple Glazing – This glazing option adds another glass pane for even further reinforced insulation, and there have been signs of its growing adoption by Uk householders.You can expect a price tag of £250 to £400 per square metre of glass.
Aside from that, there are plenty of specialised glass options. These can be UV-filtering, tinted or anti-glare glass. Each of these options is likely to be between £300-500 per square metre of glass.
What are the costs of orangery doors?
There are several types of doors available for orangeries in Scotland, each with its benefits and drawbacks. Below are the price ranges you’ll find for these doors:
- Bi-Fold Doors – Bi-fold doors are folding doors that have the capability of being made mostly from thermal-resistant glass. This makes them perfect for both conservatories and orangeries, both of which are designed to allow in a lot of natural light. There is a huge variation in the price depending on how much glass you want in your door. You can expect a bi-fold door with a 1.3m width and two panels to cost around £2,000, going up to around £6,000 for a 6m width and six panels. This massive degree in variance is also in the types of glass you can get, as not only do you have double and triple glazing, but you also have specialised glass. There are also plenty of frames to choose from, such as uPVC, Aluminium and Timber.
- French Doors – French doors are a perfectly viable choice for orangeries. It is a solid door that still has the capability of allowing in natural light, but aside from that, it is an elegant solution to a historically sophisticated building. A fully glazed wooden French door is around £725.
- Patio Doors – Patio doors are classic, space-saving sliding doors. Like bi-fold doors, they are made up mostly of glass, allowing in a lot of natural light. You can expect to pay £500 for a typical, basic patio door. But improved frame options, such as French Patio Doors, and enhanced glazing options, can push the price up to £3,750.
How much is the interior of an orangery?
We are not including things like furniture etc, but rather the things needed for the Orangery to function like a modern building. These things include:
- Electrics – The electrics logistics can be convoluted. It’s around £230 per day for the labour of installing electrical items. If you need a new fuse box/consumer unit, you will be forking out an additional £300 – £500 for both materials and the labour of installation.
- Interior Design – This includes things such as flooring and wall design. Both vary wildly in terms of price and quality.
Conservatory conclusions
The cost of an orangery may at first seem high, but given the price comparison with a traditional extension, they offer a cost effective way to get extra living space without the massive cost and inconvenience usually involved. If you are in need of an extra room or even just somewhere to relax, an orangery may be the perfect solution, especially if your budget is somewhat limited.
Talk with one of our team and we can inform you of the best options for you to suit your requirements and budget.
