The Alton Durham Orangerie combines a distinctive T-shaped design with a compact 7-foot depth, making it a practical choice for gardeners who want the character of a traditional cedar orangerie without a larger footprint. Its half-boarded panels, Victorian ridge cresting, and classic proportions give it a refined architectural appearance, while the available 12', 17', and 21' widths provide options for different garden spaces.

Built from Grade A, knot-free Western Red Cedar, the Durham is designed for long-term outdoor use. The cedar naturally resists rot and is well suited to greenhouse conditions, while its natural grain and color variation give every structure an individual character. If left unfinished, the wood will gradually weather to a soft silver-gray, or it can be stained or painted for a more uniform appearance.

The structure sits on an integrated aluminum foundation frame, helping raise the cedar above damp ground and reducing exposure to moisture. Precision joinery, including mortise-and-tenon and tongue-and-groove connections, helps keep the timber frame rigid, square, and properly aligned. Aluminum capping, rubber seals, roof overhangs, and guttering provide additional protection around the glazing and other weather-exposed areas.

The Durham uses 3mm tempered safety glass for both the roof and walls, creating a bright growing environment while providing added safety. Ventilation is handled without electricity through automatic wax-operated roof vents that respond to temperature changes, while louver windows provide additional lower-level airflow to help manage heat, circulation, and humidity. Gutters and downspouts on both sides also help collect and direct rainwater away from the structure.

• Western Red Cedar frame
• 3mm tempered safety glass
• Aluminum foundation/base frame
• Aluminum capping
• Rubber seals
• Lockable single hinged door
• Automatic roof vent openers
• Louver windows
• Gutters and downspouts
• Victorian ridge cresting
• Hardware

Build and materials

Brand: Alton, distributed by Exaco, manufactured in the UK

Frame: Grade A, knot-free Western Red Cedar, half-boarded T-shaped design, available in Moss Green or Natural Wood

Wall glazing: 3mm tempered glass

Roof glazing: 3mm tempered glass

Roof pitch: 45°

Foundation: Integrated aluminum base frame, raises cedar off the ground to help reduce early rot risk

Ventilation

Roof vents: Automatic wax-driven openers provide hands-free heat relief as temperatures rise, no electricity required (qty varies by size)

Louver windows: Provide lower-level airflow to support circulation and humidity management

Roof vent dimensions: 23" × 23"

Performance ratings

R-value: 0.95, 1.35 depending on glazing configuration

Rainwater collection: Integrated gutters with downspouts on both sides

Wind/snow load ratings: Not listed on the source page

Other

Door: Hinged, single, inward-swinging, lockable with keys, 28" × 79", low threshold for easy access

Staging shelves: 12" deep 2-slat + 20" deep 4-slat along the back wall

Victorian ridge cresting: Included

Expandable: No

Stem wall compatibility: No

Warranty: 10 years on frame

Assembly typically takes 2–3 days with a crew of 2–3 people — this isn't a same-afternoon build, largely due to the glass glazing work and the size of the larger models. Buyers should plan the timeline and labor accordingly, especially if they're coordinating with a foundation contractor beforehand.

Manual

Free shipping to all 48 contiguous states

Delivery time: 8–13 business days

Ships via LTL freight (curbside): liftgate drops the pallet at ground level; plan on 2–3 people to move it from the curb to your install site

Outside the mainland US (Alaska, Hawaii, international)? Shipping terms need to be confirmed separately

Warranty

Damages

Please inspect the packaging of your item(s) upon arrival. If you notice any damage, make note of it when signing for delivery. If your item(s) arrive damaged, please contact us with photos and we will process an insurance claim on your behalf.

Cancellations & Refunds

Orders cancelled after 48 hours are subject to a $20 administration fee, whether or not the order has shipped. If the order has already shipped, the buyer is also responsible for actual return shipping charges. Refunds are issued only to the original credit card used at the time of purchase.

Many of our items are large and heavy, and cannot be returned for buyer's remorse. In these cases, all sales are final.

Returns (RMA)

In certain situations, we will accept a return through our RMA department. The buyer is responsible for full return shipping costs. All returns must be pre-approved by our RMA department before being shipped back.