Bespoke Orangeries in South Shields

Two Very Different Starting Points

South Shields includes the large Victorian houses of Westoe Village, with tall rooms, generous gardens and plenty of architectural detail. It also has plenty of terraced and semi-detached homes where space is tighter and the brief is usually about getting more use from the ground floor.

An orangery can suit either type of house, but the approach to scale, roof design and structural work differs a great deal. The next two sections look at each in turn.

Grand Victorian Houses in Westoe Village

A large Victorian house needs an orangery with enough presence to hold its own. That usually means taller walls, substantial brick piers and a lantern big enough to light a deep room. Matching the brick and the colour of existing joinery helps the extension read as part of the original building, and a traditional cornice can finish the roofline in keeping with the period.

Planning in the Westoe Village Conservation Area

Conservation area status reduces the permitted development rights a house would otherwise have, and the design and materials of any extension are likely to be examined more closely. South Tyneside Council is the planning authority, and its pre-application advice can be useful where a scheme is larger or more visible. Listed properties also need listed building consent. Building regulations approval is a separate requirement, and the Planning Portal's advice on whether an extension needs planning permission is a good place to begin.

Getting More From a Terrace or Semi

For a terraced house, the challenge is often a narrow, enclosed yard or garden. A compact orangery with a flat roof and a single raised lantern can bring daylight deep into a kitchen that previously relied on one small window. Semi-detached homes in South Shields usually have more width to work with, so a full-width room combining kitchen, dining and seating becomes realistic.

In both cases the opening between the old and new rooms is the key decision. Removing part of the rear wall needs structural design, and it is what allows the orangery to feel like part of the house. Our orangery extensions page covers this in more detail.

A Room You Can Use Through the Winter

An orangery only adds value if it is comfortable on a grey February afternoon as well as in July. Insulated solid roof sections, well-specified glazing and heating that suits the rest of the house all help, and the solid perimeter of an orangery roof gives somewhere to fit lighting so the room still feels welcoming after dark. For a family home in South Shields, underfloor heating beneath a tiled floor is a practical choice that copes well with sandy feet and muddy boots. Our guide explaining why orangeries work all year round goes into more detail.

How Does the Coast Affect Upkeep and Drainage?

Homes in South Shields near Sandhaven Beach and the Marine Parks are more likely to see wind-blown sand, salt spray and driving rain than properties further inland, and the specification should allow for that. The priorities are a room that is simple to maintain and a roof that sheds water reliably.

Keeping Maintenance Manageable

Salt deposits and grit collect on frames, glass and the top of the lantern. Durable frame finishes and self-cleaning glass on the roof can reduce how often you need to deal with them, and safe access to the gutters should be thought about at the design stage so they can be cleared without difficulty. Rinsing frames and hardware with fresh water from time to time helps protect seals and moving parts.

Roof Falls, Gutters and Outlets

A flat orangery roof needs a proper fall towards its outlets, and gutters should be sized for the heavy, wind-driven rain that coastal sites can experience. We also look at where downpipes will connect to the existing drainage, how surface water at the base of the walls is handled and whether door thresholds need a drainage channel to stop water collecting at the step. The orangery roofs page explains the main roof types.

Orangery or Conservatory?

If you are deciding between the two for a home in South Shields, construction is the main difference. An orangery has more solid roof and wall sections than a conservatory, so it tends to feel more sheltered and is generally easier to keep warm on a cold, windy day. Our page on orangery conservatories sets out the differences in more depth.