Are you thinking of adding additional living space to your home? Sunrooms and conservatories are both excellent methods in how one can bring the outdoors inside, but understanding its key differences will help you makes an informed decision on what better suits your property and lifestyle.
What’s the Difference?
The main difference comes from how they are built and what the target use case is. The conservatories generally have walls or roofs made up of glass rather than plastic, and are usually used as a greenhouse for plants, but also living areas that can be used seasonally. By contrast, the more durable construction including insulated walls and roofs means that sunrooms are a true year round living space.
Climate Control Requirements
Sunrooms — provided they are properly designed and built in the first place, with enough insulation and adequate heating & cooling systems – excel at managing temperature. It makes them as comfortable in all seasons operating like true living areas. Traditional conservatories can often be too warm in summer and chilly in winter, although modern versions use high-performance glazing, passive solar construction, low emissivity glass (low-e glass) or even automatic shades for better performance. For Gloucester Conservatories, visit www.firmfix.co.uk/conservatories-near-me/gloucester/
Pre-Planning and Building Regulations
Conservatories typically come under permitted development rights, which means that very little planning permission will be necessary so long as they adhere to certain size and design specifications. Conservatories have less strict regulation due to their predominantly glass construction, while sunrooms — being more physically substantial structures— usually require full planning permission and must meet building regulations (e.g. foundations) as well as energy efficiency standards.
Cost Implications
In general, conservatories are less expensive than sunrooms because they have simplified materials and construction. But if you have the room and budget, go with a sunroom as they can be better utilised all year long. They may also offer more return on investment to your home than just in summer months alone.
Practical Usage
A way to approach this thought process is thinking about what space you need and considering how you will use it. You might enjoy a sunroom if you want a place to relax, dine or entertain (especially one that can be used no matter what the weather). A conservatory may be more your style if you’re looking for a plant-filled sanctuary or an ongoing link to the garden outside.
Property Suitability
A lot depends on the style of your home and garden. Some examples of this could be sticking with a traditional conservatory style for Victorian and Edwardian properties or alternatively using modern sunroom designs that offer a minimalist look. Bear in mind what direction your garden faces as well —south-facing spots can leave conservatories boiling.
