When you are considering adding living space to your home, you might come across sunrooms and conservatories. But what is a conservatory and how does it differ from a sunroom? Although some people use the terms interchangeably, they are actually quite different. Regardless of their differences, they both offer several advantages to homeowners.
What is a Conservatory Room?
Conservatories are defined by their glass roofs that bring in maximum sunlight, making them the perfect place to sit back, relax, and watch the clouds roll by. Similar to a greenhouse, the room is defined by large windows and a glass roof. While conservatories are different from sunrooms, they come with a unique set of benefits. The following are just a few that you can take advantage of when you build a conservatory room addition:
• Increased curb appeal
• Perfect for gardening
• Great natural lighting
If you think you might prefer a sunroom addition, you can expect to enjoy after you have a sunroom added to your home:
• More living space
• Increased sunlight
• Insulation options
Conservatory or Sunroom?
Despite having fairly similar benefits, there are at least three major differences between sunrooms and conservatories.
Purpose
The largest difference between the two rooms is their purpose. While conservatories are designed for horticulture, sunrooms are more for recreation. For example, conservatories are great for providing plants with plenty of sunlight to grow while also protecting them from wind and cold weather. Sunrooms are designed to be an extension of your living space, whether you want it to be an office, family room, or dining area.
Materials
Unlike sunrooms, conservatories feature more transparent materials, such as glass, plastic, etc. In fact, conservatories typically have 50% glass on the walls and 75% on the roof. On the other hand, sunrooms usually have an opaque roof to reduce the amount of direct sunlight. It also isn’t uncommon for sunrooms to have walls without glass.
Sunlight
The other difference related to the materials is sunlight. Though you might think the name of a sunroom suggests it gets a lot of light, a conservatory room lets in more light. This is largely due to the design and materials. Some sunrooms may have more sunlight than others, but it is uncommon for a sunroom to receive more natural light than a conservatory.
If you are unsure of whether you want a sunroom or conservatory room, you can rest easy knowing that LivingSpace Sunrooms offers both options. You can discuss your needs, budget, and ideas with our staff to help determine which is best for you. Reach out to us today by giving us a call or filling out our online form!
