Choosing the right material for your new orangery is one of the most important design decisions you’ll make. The debate usually centres on timber versus aluminium — two materials with distinct qualities and aesthetic differences. While both have their strengths, homeowners who value character, sustainability, and long-term performance often find that timber delivers the best overall balance. In this guide, we’ll explore how the two compare across key areas such as appearance, energy efficiency, environmental impact, durability, and value for money — and why, in many cases, a timber orangery offers the most rewarding choice for your home.
Aluminium orangeries are praised for their sleek, modern look, making them a popular choice for contemporary builds. However, they can often appear cold and industrial, lacking the warmth and character needed for more traditional or heritage properties.
Timber orangeries, on the other hand, offer timeless elegance and natural beauty that’s hard to replicate. The craftsmanship of timber allows for bespoke designs, intricate detailing, and an authentic finish that suits everything from period homes to modern extensions. Whether painted or stained, timber can be tailored to complement any architectural style, seamlessly enhancing your home’s charm.
Mark Bishop, Founder & Owner of Kingsholme Conservatories says:
“In our experience designing, project managing and installing orangeries across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire for over 30 years, we’ve found that homeowners often choose timber over aluminium for its natural warmth and timeless appearance.”
When it comes to thermal performance, timber takes the lead. Wood is a natural insulator, offering low thermal conductivity that keeps the heat inside during the winter and outside during the summer. Laboratory data from the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory show that structural softwood’s thermal conductivity (around 0.7–1.0 Btu·in/(h·ft²·°F)) is roughly 1,500 times lower than aluminium’s (about 1,500 Btu·in/(h·ft²·°F)).¹ This enormous difference explains why timber frames lose far less heat than metal ones, helping to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures year-round.
Modern timber orangeries are designed to meet, and often exceed, current energy efficiency standards, ensuring a comfortable space all year round. While aluminium orangeries can include thermal breaks to reduce heat transfer, they struggle to match the insulating properties of timber. With energy costs continually rising, choosing timber ensures your orangery remains warm, efficient, and cost-effective to run.
Environmental responsibility is more important than ever, and timber stands out as the greener option. Responsibly sourced timber is renewable, biodegradable, and boasts a significantly lower carbon footprint than aluminium, where production releases the majority of its emissions during the energy-intensive smelting process. Trees used for timber, absorb carbon dioxide throughout their lifetime, and advances in electrified forestry and zero-emissions harvesting further reduce non-transport emissions in timber production.
In contrast, aluminium production is highly energy-intensive, requiring extensive mining and processing. Although recyclable, its initial manufacturing process leaves a significant environmental impact. By choosing a timber orangery, you’re making a sustainable choice that benefits both your home and the environment.
There’s a misconception that timber requires constant maintenance and lacks durability. However, modern timber orangeries are crafted with advanced treatments and engineering techniques to resist rot, warping, and pests. As a result, they are designed to last for decades with minimal upkeep.
With proper care, a high-quality timber orangery can easily outlast an aluminium alternative. Aluminium, while durable, can corrode over time – particularly in coastal or damp environments. Additionally, timber can be repaired and refinished to extend its lifespan, whereas damaged aluminium often requires full replacement.
While aluminium orangeries may have a lower initial cost, timber orangeries offer far greater long-term value. Their superior insulation reduces energy bills, while their durability ensures fewer replacements over time. Timber orangeries also add significant value to your home, particularly for period or character properties where authenticity matters.
Another key advantage of timber is its flexibility. If you wish to update the look of your orangery in the future, timber can easily be repainted or re-stained to suit evolving tastes. Aluminium, however, is far less customisable once installed.
While aluminium orangeries may appeal to those seeking a modern, minimalist look, timber orangeries offer unmatched beauty, warmth, and sustainability. They outperform aluminium in energy efficiency, durability, and environmental impact, making them the ideal choice for homeowners who value quality, style, and long-term benefits.
By investing in a timber orangery, you’re enhancing your home’s aesthetics and comfort while making a choice that’s kinder to the environment and built to last.
Timber: the natural choice for a beautiful, efficient, and sustainable orangery.
The initial contact with Kingsholme and the professionalism of the product presentation singled Kingsholme out above other companies considered.
In short, we unreservedly recommend Kingsholme Conservatories as a highly competent company, offering excellent service and value for money, with whom it has been a pleasure to deal.
Colin has helped us throughout the process, and we were very pleased when he suggested another house in Harpenden that we could visit to see the quality of work before placing an order. We also thought your workmen on site were efficient, polite and customer focused.
We appreciated the low-key sales approach, and particularly valued the maturity and attitude of the people who worked on the conservatory.
The workmen were a pleasure to have, always polite and helpful. Mark, your no-pressure sales approach was a welcome change from the so called bigger companies.
My conservatory is much admired by all who see it and they comment on the high quality of the result. For me it is a daily joy. My thanks to you and I shall certainly recommend your company.
Now that the conservatory is finished Sarah and I would like to express our appreciation of the work that has been done. Back in the summer when we decided we would like to build, we had no idea who to go to and no local friends to make recommendations. We looked on the internet using words such as “bespoke, quality and individual” By chance we came across Kingsholme and then of course met with you.
We said that we did not wish to be involved with any sub contractors but that the entire job should be project managed by you. We also made it clear that we wanted a firm price for the job which would not change unless we altered the brief. You delivered on both counts.
From day one of the ground works until the final finishing touches were made recently all the people representing Kingsholme have been excellent. Skilled tidy workers, always polite and a pleasure to have around. Whilst the job was not always straightforward, i.e. the guttering which had to be specially made, there was no question of you cutting corners or compromising your quality standards.
We are delighted with the final result and especially pleased that we selected your company. Many thanks to all the team and particularly you Mark.
The whole process from our initial meeting with you through to works on site through to completion was undertaken in an extremely professional manner, resulting in an excellent conservatory design, a standard of work that is first class and undertaken by friendly/helpful operatives. The attention to detail was evident at all time.
The co-ordination of the different work disciplines was particularly impressive with the general disruption during construction kept to an absolute minimum and the site being keep clean and tidy throughout the course of the works.
Michelle and I wish to express our appreciation for the service provided by you/your company and cannot recommend you highly enough.
The whole experience from start to finish was very pleasant and professional. There was no pressure or haggling on prices, this was in total contrast to other propective suppliers. Mark gave us some excellent design suggestions. The overall quality of workmanship was also first rate.
We have been very happy with the service provided, please keep up the good work!
Very pleased with general workmanship and helpful construction staff. Would be pleased to recommend your company to other people. Greatly appreciated Mark’s design of conservatory, blends in well with rear of house.
Thank you for making it a relatively easy experience for us! As mentioned to you previously, we are very pleased with the results.
We are really pleased with the conservatory and we will certainly recommend you.
We are very pleased with the final product, which looks excellent. Mark’s approach throughout was honest and helpful, in direct contrast to the many other sales people from other companies who were clearly only interested in securing the sale.
The fantastic reviews I see here reflect the experience we have had with Kingsholme. It has been faultless from the first contact through to completion of our orangery. The technical information on the website gave me confidence that the product is outstanding, based on years of experience. All of the team were outstanding, highly experienced tradesmen. The final product is of the highest quality in terms of design, materials and construction. There was absolutely no ‘sales’ involved and during my first call, I was given a ballpark figure based on the size of the space; the final cost was only higher because we increased the size and there were no hidden surprises. The first design we received was exactly what we wanted (they ‘got it’) and the only tweak we made was around the size of a side window. Mark agreed to take on some additional work inside the house, opening up a supporting wall between our kitchen and old dining room. I had struggled to get anyone to take this on, so was greatful to him for doing it. This proved to be quite a challenge for the team based on how the original wall was constructed and took a few more days that expected, however they worked constantly in horrible conditions until it was done. We didn’t have a lot of time to get involved in the project and that wasn’t an issue in the end as everything was taken care for us. It’s rare to say this of a company – we have not had a single issue with Kingsholme. Thank you to everyone involved.
We would wholeheartedly recommend this company. Every member of the team were polite and helpful, from our initial site meeting through to completion of the project. We feel that they offered a very high standard of work at a fair price. The design is top end and certainly comparable with the companies that advertise in House and Garden Magazine and buildings that we have seen exhibited at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show. From the groundwork team through to the decorator, every member of the team were highly experienced and meticulous with every detail of the work that they did to create a stunning orangery for us.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for all your help, assistance and understanding. It has been a pleasure dealing with you and we are delighted with the end result. If you wish to use us as a reference we would be more than happy to recommend you/ Kingsholme to prospective clients.
Excellent throughout; friendly, courteous employees. Good to your word regarding all aspects of the build.
Thanks for a good job – we are very happy with the end result.
I’m very happy with the quality of work and materials, the finished conservatory is exactly what I wanted. I would be happy to recommend Kingsholme or provide a reference site.
All the workmen were helpful, efficient and trustworthy. The standard of work was excellent and we are very satisfied with the end result. We would have no hesitation in recommending your firm to friends and neighbours.
The attitude of everyone connected with the selling and building of the conservatory was very good, both to their jobs and to the customer. I would recommend Kingsholme to anyone I knew who were considering having a conservatory.
Many thanks for the support and advice during the problems with the neighbours and development company. I appreciated very much the care and effort given during my major stress-out times! Your calm and matter of fact approach was very reassuring.
I am very pleased with the result, thank you.
We are delighted with our orangery, thank you for all your hard work.
Thanks again to you and all the team for your efforts, we are exceptionally happy with the end result, it has truly made a big improvement to our living space and we look forward to spending some quality time in the new garden room for many years to come.
We would like to thank you [Mark] and Kingsholme for installing us a wonderful conservatory and paying great attention to detail.
Many thanks to Mark for his professional and courteous attention to all matters from planning permission, to the final successful outcome.
Many thanks for a super job that has been well done.
We are very pleased with our conservatory and would like to thank you and your team for the good workmanship, attention to detail, care and consideration that has been shown to our property and us and would be happy to recommend your company. We would be grateful if you could pass these sentiments on to those involved.
Thanks to you, [Mark] Dave and Ian for a great job, the conservatory is all I had hoped for.
We were very pleased with your service, and we are delighted with the result. Thank you for all that you have done.
Thanks for your help in everything, you have given us a very good service!.
A very workable solution to a difficult situation. Mark has been very diligent and has delivered what was proposed. A good job, many thanks.
Would not hesitate to recommend Kingsholme to anybody.
The job was very much to our satisfaction. Dave (fitter) is a good asset to Kingsholme.
Friendly and professional approach adopted by all staff, Dave and Ian demonstrated a particular pride in their work. Very happy with our new conservatory, we would recommend you to others.
Builders and glaziers were very professional and tidy, excellent job.
We were extremely pleased with the team that constructed the conservatory, they were especially polite and considerate to our needs regarding our dogs, and carried out their work in a very professional way. Your company is lucky to have them. All in all, we are very pleased with the end result.
All aspects of the total job seemed exceedingly well done. In particular I would mention the friendliness and extreme helpfulness of all those involved.
Fitters, workmen were all professional, polite and easy to communicate with. They took care to do a good job. We are very pleased with the conservatory and it is how we imagined it would be.
Our requirements have been met and we are very satisfied with the end product. Good supervision and communication with Mark throughout.
Excellent quality of work and people, many thanks!
Your staff were all excellent workers and very helpful. I am delighted with my new conservatory, which though small, does greatly enhance our living space.
We are very pleased with the conservatory and will have no hesitation in recommending you to all who admire it.
We have already recommended you to two other people, both of whom are having conservatories built by you. All the workmen were pleasant and polite, and got on well with the job. We are really pleased with the end result, and would have no hesitation in recommending you to anymore of our friends who are thinking of having a conservatory.
We are very pleased with our conservatory and patio, and would recommend Kingsholme to others
I am delighted with my conservatory and had my fist Sunday afternoon tea in it this weekend.
We have had lots of compliments on the standard of build, and so far are very pleased with conservatory.
We are very pleased with the final result. We would recommend Kingsholme to friends and would use your services again. The workmen were excellent.
We have been very impressed by the design and build overall. Seeing the design develop into a finished conservatory has been very satisfying.
All involved have been helpful, polite and tidy. Nothing was too much trouble and the level of service was very good.
Very good team of builders and installers; always helpful and courteous.
We wish to thank you and your team for carrying out a very good job, we are pleased with the result.
Overall the work was done to a very professional standard, particularly groundworks, foundations and finish (plastering, flooring, electrics and heating) Care was taken to keep things tidy and to clean up afterwards. Very satisfactory!
