If you want to enjoy the fun of gardening on colder days, a conservatory or a greenhouse is a good option for you. What is the difference?
While conservatory is an ornate structure mostly used to display ornamental plants, a greenhouse is a more practical structure which is mainly used to propagate seeds and cultivate plants.
What is a conservatory?
A conservatory is an ornate glass-enclosed room or building for people where ornamental plants are displayed. It is typically attached to the house but in the past a conservatory was situated away from the stately home.
The first conservatories were built in the 16th century when wealthy aristocrats decided to grow exotic fruit and vegetables brought from warmer regions.
What is a greenhouse?
A greenhouse is a simple structure made of the glass or plastic roof and walls on the wooden or aluminum frame. It insulates the environment within its structure to extend the growing season.
What are the differences between a greenhouse and a conservatory?
Conservatory vs Greenhouse
| Feature | Conservatory | Greenhouse |
| Habitable | A comfortable living space for people where plants exist | A place to raise and cultivate plants where people are just visiting |
| Purpose | The main purpose is to display ornamental plants, exotic fruits and vegetables | The main purpose is to propagate and cultivate plants including ornamental ones |
| Structure | Most of the times it is attached to the house, however, you can build a conservatory away from the house | A greenhouse can be freestanding or attached to the house (known as lean-to type). Find more info in this article |
| Shape/Architecture | The architecture varies from the traditional Victorian glasshouses to geodesic domes styles. Conservatory types: Georgian, Edwardian, Contemporary, Gothic and stately home. | The most common shapes are even-span and post-and-rafter styles, however, you can find different types of structures including a-frame, Gothic arch, Quonset etc. |
| Decoration | In most but not all cases a conservatory is decorated and has external ornamentation | In most but not all cases a greenhouse is practical and doesn’t have external ornaments |
| Foundation and Flooring | A conservatory must have a foundation, typically from bricks but can be built on concrete pad or paving slabs. Also, some types have decorative flooring like matting or marble tiles | Greenhouse foundation depends on the orientation and composition of the site. You can set it up on compacted soil or build a perimeter base. Also, wood foundation is an option or you can lay concrete pad or paving slabs. The flooring is unnecessary |
| Frame | The traditional frame for a conservatory has always been made of wood | Frame can be made of wood but aluminum is becoming more popular. Moreover, PVC and galvanized steel can also be used |
| Glazing | Glass is the most common glazing and the glazing bars have to be sturdy | Glass is still a very popular glazing option. However, polycarbonate glazing is widely used along with the plastic film, fiberglass, acrylic and even Solexx. |
| Size | Although conservatories are quite big structures (3200 x 3600 mm), a well-designed small sized structure is possible to be built but tends to be more expensive | Greenhouses come in a variety of sizes starting from hotbeds, cold frames and mini-greenhouses. The most common size for a hobby greenhouse varies from the smallest one which is 6’x4’x7′ and the biggest option of 6’x14’x7′. |
| Price | On average a starting price for a Victorian uPVC conservatory (3200 x 3600 mm) is about 8,000 – 10,000$ | The price of a greenhouse varies on its size, you can get a mini greenhouse for 35$ and a freestanding hobby greenhouse 6’x8’x7′ for around 400$ |
| Buying | Conservatory kits are available for sale online and in stores | Greenhouse kits are widely available online and in stores |
| Building | A conservatory can be build on your own | A greenhouse can be build on your own |
Can a conservatory be used as a greenhouse?
It is not recommended to use conservatory as a greenhouse. It is mainly used to display the exotic plants. Moreover, in the summer months it can become very hot making the atmosphere dry which is fatal for plants.
Also, the ventilation is very limited. You would need to ventilate your greenhouse with windows and a door.
Although a conservatory is great for raising young plants in spring, eventually, you will need to get a greenhouse to overwinter them.
What is the difference between a conservatory and an orangery?
Firstly, the main difference between the conservatory and an orangery is that orangery is a large form of conservatory. Orangery originated in the 17th century as a room or a dedicated building attached to the building of a fashionable residence.
Secondly, orangery overwinters orange and other fruit trees. The solidity of pillars shelters the oranges while large glass walls allow plenty of sunlight to provide heat for the plants to cultivate.
Lastly, conservatories consists of the glass or polycarbonate panels while orangeries are solid and grandeur structures.
What is the difference between a sunroom and a conservatory?
A conservatory is a glass room or building attached to the house while a sunroom is basically the same structure but with the solid tile or slate roof.
The main difference between a sunroom and a conservatory is that the latest is considered a separate room. Alternatively, a sunroom is an extension with more windows.