A successful installation starts before building work begins.
South Lakes Windows will survey the property and establish the dimensions, position and specification of the proposed orangery. The survey also allows us to consider practical factors such as access, existing walls, rooflines, drainage and the position of windows and doors within the house.
If the orangery connects directly with an existing kitchen, dining room or living area, the relationship between the old and new spaces also needs to be considered.
The agreed design provides the basis for the installation. This establishes the footprint, wall construction, roof system, windows, doors and glazing before work starts on site.
Where planning permission, Building Regulations approval or other consent is required, this should also be addressed at the appropriate stage.
The first physical stage of a new orangery installation is normally preparation of the site and construction of the base.
The exact work required will depend on the property, ground conditions and orangery design. The foundations and floor need to provide suitable support for the structure above.
Accurate setting out is particularly important at this stage. The dimensions of the base influence the walls, windows, doors and roof that follow, so errors at the beginning of the project can cause problems during later stages.
Our team works from the agreed design and dimensions to prepare the structure for the next stage of construction.
For projects involving alterations to the existing house, additional structural work may also be required to create the intended connection between the orangery and original room.
Once the base is ready, construction can move on to the main orangery structure.
Unlike many traditional conservatories, an orangery normally incorporates a greater proportion of solid construction. This may include masonry walls, columns and substantial roof sections alongside windows and doors.
The amount of solid wall depends on the design.
A kitchen orangery, for example, may require more wall space for cabinets, appliances and worktops. A garden-facing living room might use larger areas of glazing to increase views of the outdoors.
External materials can also be selected to work with the existing property. This is particularly important for stone-built and period homes, where the new addition needs careful consideration.
The structure is built to accommodate the windows, doors and chosen roof system specified during the design stage.
South Lakes Windows supplies and installs a wide choice of UPVC, timber and aluminium windows for orangery projects.
The windows are fitted into the prepared openings as part of the wider installation.
Different styles can be used depending on the design of the orangery. A contemporary project may use larger panes and slimmer aluminium frames, while a Georgian or Victorian orangery may use more traditionally proportioned windows and glazing bars.
Opening windows can also provide useful natural ventilation.
Correct fitting is important for operation, weather protection and the overall appearance of the finished structure. Our installers work with the products we supply, giving the customer one point of contact for the windows and their installation.
The roof is one of the most important stages of an orangery installation.
South Lakes Windows can install solid, glass and hybrid orangery roof systems, allowing the roof to be matched to the design and intended use of the room.
A solid insulated roof can create a more conventional internal ceiling and provide space for lighting. A glass roof introduces considerably more natural light from above.
Hybrid designs can combine the advantages of solid and glazed sections.
Suitable projects can incorporate Ultraframe UltraRoof or LivinROOF, depending on the required design.
The roof installation needs to work with the supporting structure below, which is why we consider the roof as part of the complete orangery rather than as a separate product.
Many modern orangeries combine a predominantly solid roof with a selected area of overhead glazing.
South Lakes Windows can install the Ultraframe UltraSKY Lantern within suitable orangery roofs. A roof lantern can create a central glazed feature above a kitchen island, dining table or seating area.
The UltraSKY Flat Skylight provides another option where natural light is required without the raised profile of a lantern.
The position of roof glazing should already have been established during the design stage. This means the opening can be incorporated correctly within the roof structure and aligned with the layout of the room below.
Careful installation is particularly important with overhead glazing because the roof needs to provide reliable weather protection while allowing water to drain correctly from the structure.
Garden doors are another major part of many orangery installations.
South Lakes Windows can supply and install French doors, bi-folding doors, sliding doors, lift and slide doors and triple track systems depending on the project.
French doors can suit traditional Georgian and Victorian designs, while larger aluminium sliding or bi-folding systems are often chosen for contemporary orangeries.
The doors need to be correctly positioned and aligned within the structure so that they operate as intended.
Thresholds, access and the relationship with external patios or paths should also have been considered during the design process.
For larger door systems, accurate preparation of the opening is particularly important. Our experience across door supply and installation allows this part of the project to be coordinated with the wider orangery construction.
Our installation service covers a wide range of orangery styles.
We can install modern orangeries with large areas of glazing and contemporary doors, as well as Victorian and Georgian orangeries where traditional proportions and detailing are more important.
Our team can also install lean-to orangeries, which can provide a useful solution where roof height or garden space is restricted.
Gable end orangeries require careful installation of the roof and front elevation, particularly where glazing extends into the upper gable.
Whether the orangery has a solid, glass or hybrid roof, the installation follows the specification established during the design stage.
South Lakes Windows regularly works on traditional properties across Cumbria, Lancashire and adjoining Yorkshire.
Older homes can require a different approach from modern properties. Existing walls may be constructed from traditional materials, while floor levels, window openings and rooflines may differ from those found on newer houses.
Cottages, farmhouses and period properties can also require careful selection of external materials, windows and doors.
Additional considerations apply to listed buildings and properties within conservation areas. Planning permission or listed building consent may be required depending on the property and proposed work.
Our experience with traditional buildings allows these factors to be considered before and during installation.
Different stages of an orangery installation require different skills.
South Lakes Windows has an experienced team and highly skilled tradespeople who work across the construction and installation services we provide.
Our team has practical experience with glazing, windows, doors, roofing systems, conservatories and extensions. Ongoing training and development also helps our people maintain their knowledge of the systems and products we install.
For the homeowner, having one company responsible for several parts of the project can make communication easier. It also means the windows, doors, roof and main orangery structure can be treated as parts of the same installation.
South Lakes Windows can become involved before installation begins through our orangery design service.
This allows the room to be planned around its intended use before construction starts. The size, roof, glazing, windows, doors and internal layout can all be considered at this stage.
Once the design and any necessary permissions are in place, the project can progress through construction and installation.
For larger projects, our project management and design and build services can provide further coordination across the different stages.
Our involvement also continues after installation. Customers can contact our after sales team if they have questions about products or work completed by South Lakes Windows.
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We work with homeowners in towns and villages across the region, including:
Cumbria: Barrow-in-Furness, Dalton in Furness, Ulverston, Broughton-in-Furness, Penrith, Keswick, Grasmere, Ambleside, Windermere, Coniston, Hawkshead, Kendal, Natland, Staveley, Tebay, Sedbergh, Arnside, Allithwaite, Grange-over-Sands, Cartmel, Lindale, Levens, Milnthorpe, Heversham, Holme, Witherslack, Dent, Cark and Flookburgh, Newby Bridge.
Lancashire: Preston, Lancaster, Garstang, Morecambe, Heysham, Clitheroe, Ribchester, Poulton-le-Fylde.
North Yorkshire & Border Areas: Settle, Ingleton, Kirkby Lonsdale, Burton-in-Kendal, Burton in Lonsdale, Bentham.
Whether you are planning a contemporary glass-filled orangery, a traditional Georgian or Victorian design, a lean-to structure or a solid roof orangery, our team can take the project from the initial survey and design through to construction and installation.
Contact South Lakes Windows Ltd to discuss your orangery installation, arrange a home survey and request a no-obligation quotation.
