Orangery Regulations UK: What You Need to Know Before Building

When you think of an orangery, a sunlit, glass-walled extension often used as a garden room or conservatory with a solid roof perimeter. Also known as glasshouse extension, it’s more than just a fancy patio cover—it’s a permanent structure that can add value, light, and living space to your home. But in the UK, you can’t just start building one without knowing the rules. Many people assume orangeries are treated like conservatories, but that’s not always true. The difference matters—especially when the council shows up.

Orangeries fall under building regulations, the legal standards for construction safety, energy efficiency, and structural integrity in the UK, not just planning permission. That means your foundations, insulation, ventilation, and even the type of glass you use have to meet specific codes. If you’re adding heating, electrics, or plumbing, those layers bring even more rules. And while some orangeries can be built under permitted development rights, there are strict limits: the structure can’t cover more than half your garden, it must be single-storey, and it can’t extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than 4 metres (or 3 metres for terraced homes). If you live in a conservation area, listed building, or national park? You’re looking at full planning permission—no shortcuts.

What trips people up? Thinking that a glass roof means it’s a conservatory. But if your orangery has a solid roof with roof lights, brick or stone walls on three sides, and a pitched or flat roofline that matches your house, it’s classified differently. The materials, proportions, and how it connects to the main house all count. You’ll also need to consider how it affects your neighbour’s light, drainage, and privacy—especially if you’re near a boundary. And yes, you still need to check with your local council even if you think you’re covered by permitted development. A quick call can save you thousands in demolition costs later.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. What works in Brighton might not fly in Oxfordshire. That’s why so many homeowners end up confused—between planning rules, building regs, and local authority quirks. But you don’t need to guess. Below, you’ll find real guides that break down what’s allowed, what’s not, and how to avoid the most common blunders people make when building an orangery in the UK. From design tips that keep you compliant to materials that actually meet energy standards, these posts give you the straight facts—not marketing fluff.