Spacious Greenhouse

47–70 m²

Generous open interior

Ample growing space

Beds, containers, propagation and climbing crops

Space to relax

Dining table, seating group or studio beside growing areas

Individual features

Doors, ventilation, colour and optional flue opening

Versatile growing areas

The area gives you scope to group several crops by growth habit, care needs and harvest time. Tall climbing plants should be positioned to shade other plants as little as possible and not obstruct roof vents or doors. Low beds and propagation areas are easier to inspect, water and harvest beside frequently used work routes.

Garden living

A dedicated area can be arranged for dining, relaxing or working without losing the orangery’s greenhouse character. Choose a position clear of irrigation hoses and routes used for damp soil. Easy-care surfaces suited to greenhouse conditions make cleaning simpler. Furniture and textiles should tolerate temperature changes, humidity and strong sunlight, or be stored dry when needed.

Generous interior for plants and relaxation

Room for tall crops; consider door height when moving in large plants and furniture

Designed for the large glass structure

Clear safety glazing for high light levels and open views

Choose a single or double version to suit the main route and large containers or furniture

Integrated ventilation and rainwater-drainage components; the optional flue opening can be included in separately planned heating

Summer ventilation

On long sunny days, the extensive glazing heats up quickly. For effective air exchange, warm air must rise freely to the roof vents while cooler air enters through the doors. Position tall shelving and trained climbing plants so they do not block this continuous airflow. Avoid creating a dense canopy beneath the ridge.

Roof vents and sliding doors work together as the natural ventilation system. Their operating routes must stay accessible, even when plants become much larger in summer. Ventilation is not only about temperature: after watering or with dense planting, air movement helps remove excess moisture. Avoid unnecessary cold draughts directly over young plants. Use the openings according to weather, time of day and the planting scheme.

Seasonal shading can reduce leaf scorch and make the seating area more pleasant on exceptionally bright days. It should work where needed without permanently darkening the whole orangery. Movable or temporary solutions can be adapted to the sun’s position and individual crops. Fixings must not damage glass or frames, and roof vents must still open freely.

Winter use

If you want to overwinter citrus or sensitive collector plants, establish each plant’s minimum temperature beforehand. This determines whether frost protection alone or a higher temperature is needed. The large glazed area can require considerable energy, so plants with similar warmth requirements should be grouped together rather than heavily heating the entire orangery without a specific need. Remove dead leaves and water from saucers regularly.

Planned heating should protect the plants that need it, not only the seating area. Dense planting and tall furniture must not obstruct heat distribution or access to controls. For electrical cables and equipment in the humid greenhouse environment, use a registered local electrical contractor to assess compatibility and protection, inspect and test the installation, and provide any applicable Certificate of Compliance documentation.

Even with heating, the orangery remains a glazed greenhouse rather than a fully insulated living room. Temperatures can vary substantially between day and night and from floor level to the ridge. A brief coffee break therefore calls for different expectations from frost-free overwintering of valuable plants. Separating these aims helps plan heating times and plant locations according to need.

Floor and wide paths

A large glazed space needs a durable, permanently level floor build-up that supports both gardening and relaxation. Before construction, decide which areas will contain open planting beds, paving or movable containers. Work zones should tolerate soil and watering; seating needs an even, load-bearing surface for tables and chairs. Materials and construction must suit the foundation plan and intended water drainage.

Wide main paths make it easier to move soil, pots, equipment and furniture. Fix their position before creating beds or services. Besides path width, allow for sliding-door opening areas, bends and turning space. Hand trolleys and mobile planting tables require more room than one person, especially when changing direction. A direct work route also keeps soil and watering away from the seating area.

The finished surface should be slip-resistant and easy to clean; water must not pool around furniture or the base frame. Transitions between paved paths and open planting areas should have no trip edges. Tools, hoses and cables need permanent storage or orderly routing. This keeps paths and sliding doors clear during intensive gardening.

Rainwater and garden irrigation

The large roof collects substantial volumes of water when it rains. A container beside the greenhouse is therefore not enough. Plan the route from integrated gutters to storage, a controlled overflow and drainage for periods when storage is full. Water must neither undermine the foundation nor flow across main paths. Removable or accessible connections make cleaning easier if leaves and debris obstruct the inlet.

After installation, check during heavy rain that every connection is watertight, the overflow drains freely and no water remains around the foundation or paths.

Collected rainwater can supply part of the irrigation. The draw-off point should be easy to reach with a watering can or hose without blocking access. A suitable covered tank keeps out coarse debris. Check the water level, inlet and overflow regularly. Before frost periods, inspect and, where necessary, empty pipes, fittings and containers according to their specification.

Foundation for a large footprint

Along long wall lines, small differences in height, angle or diagonal measurement affect the whole construction. An inaccurate foundation can prevent frame components from fitting without stress or sliding doors from running properly. The base must therefore be complete and checked before assembly begins. Correcting levels while erecting the glass structure is no substitute for a precise foundation.

The complete installation area must be stable, level and prepared for the chosen dimensions. Construction and anchoring must suit the ground conditions, structure and site, including frost where relevant. As these conditions vary by property, plan the foundation according to the product documents and seek professional assessment where required. Drainage pipes and conduits must not weaken load-bearing or anchoring areas.

A continuous reference line and checks of side lengths, angles and diagonals help identify dimensional errors early. Measure not only after marking out, but again after the foundation is complete and before frame assembly begins. Check levels at several points as well. Only when the footprint and level are correct should the kit be laid out on the assembly area in the intended sequence.

Plan furniture to scale

A large table needs space beyond its footprint so chairs can be pulled back and every place reached. A drawing should therefore show not only the tabletop but the real usable area including seated sides. Where dining is close to plants, allow a maintenance gap as well. Leaves can then be checked, pots turned and fallen soil removed without rearranging the whole area.

Lounge furniture should not block main paths, doors, roof vents or work areas. Low furniture may look open but often needs more floor space than expected. Modular or easily moved pieces are useful when propagation space is needed in spring or container storage in autumn. Cushions and textiles must suit changing conditions or be stored dry outside the orangery.

Mark all areas that must remain clear despite changing furniture on the scaled drawing, including sliding doors and technical controls. These exclusion zones prevent a layout that works on paper from blocking essential functions later.

Delivery and preparing the assembly area

A large kit needs enough space for components to be unloaded safely, checked and sorted by assembly stage. Glass elements must be stored securely and protected from tipping, impacts and contact with hard edges. Remove packaging only when the relevant parts are needed and can be clearly identified. Children, pets and uninvolved people must not enter the work area during unloading and assembly.

Check the driveway, gates, corners, steps and route from unloading point to foundation before delivery. It is not only the clear width that matters; low branches, tight turning points and sensitive garden surfaces can complicate transport. If direct vehicle access is impossible, establish how long or heavy components can be carried safely. Dry interim storage protects sorted components until each assembly phase.

A tidy, clearly defined assembly area supports efficient work and reduces the risk of confusion or damage. Tools, fixings and profiles should not lie in walkways. Assemble according to the supplied instructions and correct sequence; unauthorised alterations to profiles, glazing channels or anchoring can impair function. Work at height requires stable suitable equipment and safe weather conditions.

Citrus, potted trees and plant collections

The interior height and open area accommodate larger specimen plants and extensive container collections. Do not plan only for current plant height: crowns continue growing towards the glass and may later obstruct roof vents, neighbouring plants or maintenance routes. Adequate spacing makes pruning, pest inspection and glass cleaning easier. Feature specimens can divide the space, but should not create a permanent bottleneck.

Heavy containers need a level, load-bearing position and should be reachable via the direct main route. They become much harder to move after planting and watering. Saucers must be easy to inspect and empty so water does not stand permanently and affect the surface. Leave enough space between large containers to care for and inspect plants from every side.

Smaller plants on suitable mobile stands can move between sunnier and more protected areas through the seasons. Castors must suit the floor and load and lock securely. Movable groups also make deep cleaning easier and create temporary free space. Plants with similar watering needs can stand together, reducing water reaching paths and furniture.

Dining and small celebrations

For meals and small gatherings, provide an accessible surface for crockery and drinks so the worktable does not also become a serving table. Seating may face the planting, but should be kept away from watering points, open potting mix and areas with regular condensation. Lighting and electrical connections in the humid environment should be handled by a registered local electrical contractor, with inspection, testing and any applicable Certificate of Compliance documentation.

Before a gathering, move sensitive plants, low propagation trays and watering equipment out of the immediate circulation area. Extra chairs and decorations belong only on stable surfaces; do not lean or fix anything against glass, frames or vents.

After use, remove spilled liquids and food promptly so work surfaces remain clean and paths do not become slippery.

Long-term interior planning

Permanent beds, water connections and large trees shape the interior for many years and should be planned first. Consider future maintenance routes: glazing, frame joints, gutters and vents must stay reachable. A bed extending right up to hard-to-reach components can make care unnecessarily difficult. Some reserve space at strategic points is more useful than maximum uninterrupted planting.

Mobile growing tables and furniture complement permanent elements. Worktables should be easy to reach and provide enough room for potting, so soil and plant debris are not carried through the seating area. Shelves must not be fixed to the structure without authorisation; freestanding solutions must be stable and must not project into glazing. Before moving mobile elements, check that plants, containers and equipment are secure.

Once a layout works well in everyday use, record positions and clear circulation areas on the plan. This simplifies seasonal changes because tables, shelving and seating can return to proven positions after rearranging.

Define the use

First establish which plants need the greatest permanent floor area and when the seating area will be used. This creates a clear use profile against which later decisions can be assessed.

Draw the routes

Draw connections between doors, beds, worktables and seating. Check whether transport, plant care and relaxation can happen at the same time without routes blocking one another.

Coordinate services

Coordinate water draw-off, rainwater overflow, electricity, lighting, drainage and possible heating before foundation and flooring work. Use a registered local electrical contractor for greenhouse electrical work, including compatibility, protection, inspection, testing and any applicable Certificate of Compliance documentation.

Keep flexibility

Reserve accessible maintenance areas and avoid fixed furniture or permanently installed shelving there. Seasonal equipment should have a defined standing or storage place so planting zones remain intact after every rearrangement.

Large Orangery

The Large Orangery offers a largely open area that can be divided flexibly. It is especially suitable where long bed rows, a large table and mobile work areas are to be combined, or where their balance may change later. Furniture and planting, rather than the building shape, define the zones.

T-model

With the T-model, the T-shaped footprint already divides the interior structurally into separate areas. This option suits projects where growing and relaxation should be distinctly separated from the outset. Besides total floor area, the preferred routes and interior arrangement are therefore key to the decision.