Conservatory styles explained

A conservatory can be a gleaming addition to any home and garden. They're beautiful, practical and versatile – equally good as a sunroom, a greenhouse or a chill-out zone.

Perhaps you want to grow some plants that need a lot of sun – bringing a hint of the tropics to your home.

Or perhaps you're a bit of a houseplant yourself and want to catch some rays from a cosy hideaway.

Or are you an entertainer, looking for some extra space to host guests?

Whatever you use it for, a conservatory can add space, colour and light. But as well as its function, there's the question of style.

A conservatory is like a bowtie. Some people want one that spins, flashes and squirts out water – a real statement piece. Others want something that blends subtly into their outfit, matching its shades, materials and lines. And the rest of us fall somewhere between these two extremes.

It's no different with conservatories. Just as the paint for the frames comes in a hugely varied range of colours, so the style itself can be more or less extravagant, more or less subtle, depending on your personality and taste.

Conservatories suit many occasions and many types of homeowners. So it's no surprise that they also come in myriad styles – and here at Calder Windows, we cater for many of them.

In this article, we look at six popular types of conservatories to help you choose – from traditional to modern, from minimalistic to ornate.

Our first stop is the Victorian times. So, put on your best bowler hat and hop in our time machine…

Victorian-style conservatories

If you were playing a game of Pictionary and had to draw a conservatory, we're confident that this is the kind you'd draw.

Its ridged roof, bay window and octagonal floor plan are inseparable from the Victorian era. Having one of these in your garden is like commissioning your own mini Crystal Palace or Kew Gardens.

Where once they were made from glass and steel, they're now made from toughened glass and either uPVC or aluminium.

These changes in materials mean that you get that vintage look without having to suffer from vintage draughts, roof noise and peeling paint. Those guys had the look – but they didn't have the technology to make it durable and energy-efficient.

If you want to make a statement and enjoy expansive views of the garden, a Victorian-style conservatory could be the one for you.

Edwardian conservatories

Edwardian conservatories are Victorian-style conservatories' bigger, more austere cousins. They're less flash – but no less elegant.

They have the same ridged roof as their Victorian predecessors. The key difference is the floor plan. That quirky Victorian octagon has been replaced by a rectangle designed to maximise floor space.

Hip-back or double-hip Edwardian varieties are available for properties with lower rooflines such as bungalows.

An Edwardian conservatory is a great choice if you or your plants want a little more room to stretch out.

Gable-end conservatories

A close relative to the Edwardian conservatory, gable-end conservatories have an upright roof that resembles a house's gable-end.

In other words, the roof doesn't slope backwards but juts upwards, adding extra height and a touch of grandeur.

Like the Edwardian conservatory, it has clean lines and a more modern aesthetic. However, it's not suitable for lower properties – you need a roofline high enough to accommodate the apex.

Lean-to conservatories

Also known as Mediterranean conservatories or simply "sunrooms", lean-to conservatories have a sloping roof. The longest wall is fixed to the house.

This is one of the simpler designs and it's usually the most affordable. It's simple, practical and versatile – and a bit more contemporary-looking than the others we've looked at.

It's also good for lower buildings as the roof height is customisable.

If you're after a mini-greenhouse or a snug chill-out space, a lean-to could be for you.

Orangeries

Orangeries originated in the Renaissance, where advances in glassblowing allowed for the production of large glass windows for the first time.

These were used to maximise the amount of sunlight in a room – meaning that wealthy homeowners could grow citrus fruits and exotic plants all year round.

Orangeries are made from brick, with large windows and a flat roof with a glass lantern that lets the light come flooding in.

An orangery means business. It won't blend in like a lean-to – it's at the more extravagant end of things, perhaps closest to the Victorian-style conservatory.

But as well as being a showpiece, it has all the advantages of other types of conservatories. You can use it as a hothouse, a children's playroom, a place to unwind, a place to entertain or any combination of the above.

Other shapes

Conservatories are easy to customise. Want your floor plan to be P-shaped, L-shaped, T-shaped or U-shaped? There's nothing stopping you.

Lantern roofs

Where a skylight sits snugly in the pitch of the main roof, a lantern roof is more like a crown. It's an independent structure that juts forth majestically from the roof into the sky.

As well as being easy on the eye, lantern roofs let in huge amounts of light – great for humans and plants alike.

A lantern roof is a bold statement – but it's an undeniably impressive one.

About us

Here at Calder Windows, we stock a wide range of conservatory products – and we work with you to create the right design for your property. Victorian-style? Orangery? Lantern roof? We've got you covered.

We're a family-run firm, so you know you're never getting a sales spiel – just clear, honest communication about what you need and what we offer.

Like everything else in our range, our conservatories are both sturdy and elegant. They add space to properties of every style with no sacrifice to safety or thermal efficiency.

Want to find out more? Get in touch today.