Roof lanterns and orangeries go hand in hand. If you’ve ever stood in an orangery and looked up at the ceiling, there’s a high chance you’ve seen a lantern above your head. Here at Whitesales, a large number of our past projects have involved installing a roof lantern on an orangery. 

But what is it that makes lanterns and orangeries such a perfect duo? It’s a relationship that goes back centuries, so let’s open our history books and explore further.

The Origins Of Orangeries

Orangeries are a type of extension and are very similar to conservatories. Where conservatories mostly consist of glass, orangeries are brick structures with plenty of windows in them. Because they’re made of brick, orangeries can even be built completely independently of the main house and be freestanding structures of their own. 

Orangeries have been rising in popularity these past few years and consequently, some people assume that they’re a relatively new invention. Contrary to popular belief though, they actually pre-date traditional conservatories. The first ones were developed in Italy during the 17th Century and they soon spread to neighbouring countries. They became especially popular in northern Europe, as they could be used to grow citrus fruits in colder climates. This is where the name comes from; they were literally built so that the upper classes could enjoy oranges. 

Installing Roof Lanterns

What does this have to do with roof lanterns though? Well, all those citrus fruits needed ample light and heat or they’d soon die out. To keep all those lemons, grapefruits and tangerines alive, Europe’s architects soon hit upon the idea of placing lanterns on the roofs. The regular windows were all very well and good, but lanterns brought even more sunlight in. As lanterns project upwards from the structure, the sun could hit them from multiple directions throughout the day.

Since these early days, roof lanterns and orangeries have been paired together so often, it’s hard to think of them seperately. The techniques used to create them have developed too. Modern roof lanterns are even more thermally efficient than their forebears and are perfect for creating comfortable living spaces. They’re more secure, there are more customisation options and they’re more reasonably priced. Roof lanterns and orangeries were once exclusive installations reserved for the rich, but they’re now widely available. Best of all, they make delightful extensions even if you don’t intend to grow oranges in them.

If you’re working on an orangery project and want to take it to the next level, adding a roof lantern is a logical step. That’s where we come in. At Whitesales, we have decades of experience under our collective belts. Get in touch today to see how we can help, or request a quote online. We can’t wait to work with you.

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