A conservatory room is a glass-enclosed room that is designed for horticulture and gardening purposes. It is defined by its glass roof that allows maximum sunlight to enter, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy the view of the outdoors. Conservatories are often highly decorative and period-specific, featuring window grids, finials, crown molding, Palladian arches, ridge cresting, and other decorative elements. They can be attached to existing construction or be designed as standalone units. Conservatories originated in 16th century Europe as a way to preserve citrus and other plants brought back by explorers. While conservatories can house and even propagate plants, their primary function is the creation of additional living space.
On the other hand, a sunroom is a room that permits abundant daylight and views of the landscape while sheltering from adverse weather. It is also defined by large windows and a glass roof, similar to a greenhouse. Sunrooms are designed for recreation purposes and are often less decorative than conservatories. They can be heated and cooled by the same system that services the rest of the house and usually have a shingled or tiled roof that is either an extension of an existing roof or a separate structure that juts out from an exterior wall. Sunrooms can be constructed from scratch or they can be porches that have been enclosed by windows.
In summary, the key differences between a conservatory room and a sunroom are:
- Purpose: Conservatories are designed for horticulture and gardening purposes, while sunrooms are designed for recreation purposes.
- Decor: Conservatories are often highly decorative and period-specific, while sunrooms are typically less decorative.
- Roof: Conservatories have a glass roof that allows maximum sunlight to enter, while sunrooms can have a shingled or tiled roof that is either an extension of an existing roof or a separate structure that juts out from an exterior wall.
