Choosing Your Orangery Roof: Glass, Polycarbonate, or Solid?

The roof of your orangery is more than just a cover; it’s a critical component that dictates natural light, thermal performance, and the overall feel of the space. When considering an orangery, or even an orangery roof replacement, understanding the differences between glass, polycarbonate, and solid options is key to making the right investment for your home. At Farrow & Jones, we pride ourselves on guiding our clients through these essential decisions, ensuring their orangery is perfectly suited to their lifestyle and needs.

What are the Pros and Cons of a Glass Orangery Roof?

A glass orangery roof is a popular choice, renowned for its aesthetic appeal and the abundance of natural light it provides.

Pros:

• Maximum Light Transmission: Glass roofs allow the most natural light to flood into your orangery, creating an incredibly bright and airy space that feels seamlessly connected to the outdoors. This is particularly enhanced by the integrated Roof Lanterns that are a hallmark of orangery design.
• Clear Views: Enjoy unobstructed views of the sky and stars, perfect for a relaxing evening or a bright daytime retreat.
• Aesthetics: A glass roof often offers a sleek, modern, and sophisticated appearance, complementing contemporary and classic homes alike.
• Durability and Longevity: Modern glass is incredibly durable and resistant to scratching and discolouration, offering a long lifespan with proper maintenance.

Cons:

• Heat Gain/Loss: Without high-performance glazing, glass can be less thermally efficient, leading to excessive heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. However, this is largely mitigated by advanced solar control and low-emissivity (Low-E) glass, which we specify in our designs.
• Noise: Rain hitting a glass roof can be louder than on a solid or polycarbonate roof, though specialist acoustic glass can reduce this.
• Glare: Direct sunlight can sometimes cause glare, though this can be managed with blinds or advanced glass coatings.
  
  

When is a Solid Orangery Roof the Best Choice?

The solid orangery roof has gained immense popularity for those seeking a more integrated extension feel, akin to a traditional room.

Pros:

• Superior Thermal Efficiency: Solid roofs, typically constructed with highly insulated panels and often incorporating a plastered ceiling internally, offer excellent thermal performance. This makes your orangery feel more like a conventional room, easier to heat in winter and cooler in summer.
• Reduced Glare and Noise: The opaque nature of a solid roof eliminates glare from direct sunlight and significantly reduces noise from rain or hail, creating a more tranquil environment.
• Enhanced Integration: A solid roof allows for seamless integration of lighting, speakers, and other electrical points into the ceiling, offering more design flexibility.
• More “Room-Like” Feel: For those desiring a less exposed and more robust extension, a solid roof delivers the feeling of a permanent, conventional living space.

Cons:

• Less Natural Light: The primary drawback is the reduction in overhead natural light compared to a glass roof. This is why a solid orangery roof invariably features a large glazed roof lantern to allow light to penetrate the centre of the space.
• Less Direct View of Sky: Views of the sky are limited to the roof lantern opening.

If you’re considering a more traditional room-like extension, explore our Orangeries to see how solid roofs are integrated.