Adding a room full of sunshine to your property can add value to the home and increase your enjoyment of the space. For those with a green thumb, having a sunny, protected space to grow flowers, fruits and vegetables, or herbs is a great way to indulge in gardening. Additionally, getting plenty of sunlight is important to your overall good health. You have many options to build an add-on to your home that allows you to be closer to nature. Sunroom, solarium, or greenhouse – which is the right one for you? There are a few key differences to these similar structures, so let’s explore each before you decide.
What is a Solarium?
A solarium is an add-on to a house with both walls and ceilings enclosed in glass. The roof of most solariums is made from thick, curved glass. This allows rain and snow to easily slide off. The walls are entirely glass, usually made from tall, large-paned windows.
A solarium is intended to be used during all four seasons. Consequently, it has thicker glass that a sunroom would. The thicker glass has insulative properties that allow the heat of the sun to warm the space even in the wintertime. A solarium may also have retractable shades to help insulate against bitter cold or to prevent overheating in the summer. However, due to the way that a solarium is constructed, the windows aren’t intended to open. You’ll get the sunshine from outdoors, but not any breezes or wildlife sounds.
Who is a Solarium Best For?
The glass of a solarium needs constant preventative maintenance. The roof, especially, must be cleaned often and well-maintained to avoid drafts and leaks. If you have a small space, then a solarium allows the maximum amount of sunlight without taking up a lot of square footage.
Connecting a solarium to the main house can be a bit tricky, as it’s all glass. It’s best to have an experienced contractor evaluate how to properly seal the space to your main home. Solariums are excellent choices for those who have a chronic illness. This is because as they allow plenty of sun exposure without being exposed to the elements that can weaken someone who is already ill. They’re also a great choice for nursing homes, giving patents a quiet sunny spot without overheating.
What is a Sunroom?
A sunroom is similar to a solarium in that it’s an add-on to the main house, with large paned windows instead of walls. A sunroom is unlike a solarium because it has a roof constructed out of the same material as the main home. Sunrooms can be created by converting a covered porch into a glass-walled space. Many times, the windows of a sunroom are intended to open. This allows a screened-in space that doesn’t bar you from outdoor elements like a breeze or the sound of chirping birds.
Sunrooms can be used to grow plants, although, without the glass roof, placement can be a little tricky. A sunroom may not have as much insulation as a solarium. However, the covered roof can provide a lot of protection from the elements.
Who is a Sunroom Best For?
Sunrooms are better for people who don’t wish the upkeep of fully-enclosed glass space. The roof of a sunroom can be cared for like the rest of the house. The windows will simply need to be checked for proper sealing. For those converting part of their home on a budget, sunrooms are the best option, as they’re more of a simple remodel.
Sunrooms may not be as comfortable in the coldest winter months, as many are closer to a glassed-in patio than an insulated space. You may be able to mitigate this by using space heaters in your sunroom. If you’re searching for homes for sale in Charlotte, or somewhere else without cold winters, this space will be enjoyable year-round.
What is a Greenhouse?
Essentially, a greenhouse is a plant room. However, these structures are uniquely designed. They are typically created from a transparent material – usually glass. However, a thick, translucent plastic designed for this purpose may be used as well. The purpose of a greenhouse is to create a sheltered environment that allows plants the greatest amount of sunlight while protecting them from the weather.
Greenhouses can be small, personal plant growing rooms that are part of a regular residence. They can also be larger, independent structures that can help grow larger amounts of fruits, vegetables, or exotic flowers.
Different Types of Greenhouses
While most people think of greenhouses as glassed-in plant growing rooms (and this is true), there are two distinct types of greenhouses, based on their use and production. Which one you decide to build is largely determined by how you plan to use the space.
Production Greenhouse
A production greenhouse is one that aggressively cultivates fruits, vegetables, and flowers. It may be larger in scale than a hobbyist home greenhouse. It also might incorporate certain features to enhance the growing seasons and production from the plants inside. Certain electrical and HVAC features control the environment by regulating heating, cooling, lighting, and humidity. These greenhouses may also have screening to take advantage of favorable conditions outside. Depending on the needs of your production greenhouse, you may also need a dedicated power source. This is especially true if you have delicate plants and uncertain power surges.
Some greenhouses may have computer-controlled environments. This is especially true if it houses delicate flowers or experimental hybrids that may not be as hardy. Production greenhouses are designed for optimum growth conditions for the plants inside, and not necessarily for the comfort of people. While you may be comfortable for a while inside the greenhouse, these buildings aren’t designed for the comfort and relaxation of people.
Home Greenhouse
This small greenhouse is still a glass-walled plant growing room. However, it is created both for growing plants and to be a comfortable space for the homeowner. The exterior construction of a home greenhouse is similar to that of a production greenhouse. It’s made of glass or specialty plastic walls and ceiling. It has plenty of open shelving for plants and potting and a concrete, packed earth, or wooden floor.
The difference is that a home greenhouse may not have the complex temperature and humidity controls that a production greenhouse does. While the temperature and lighting may have some controls, the space is designed for the hobbyist gardener to enjoy their passion as well as provide a relaxing space for people to socialize or to simply sit quietly with a book.
Who is a Greenhouse Best For?
A greenhouse is specifically designed for planting and cultivating. Some hobby gardeners may use their greenhouses to experiment with different types of plant breeding, whether at the home greenhouse level or more professionally using a production greenhouse. More than any other type of sunny room, the type of greenhouse you decide on will largely involve your space and budget.
If you enjoy gardening but it’s not a full-time job, then a home greenhouse will probably suit your needs, as well as provide an interesting place to entertain guests or those who share your horticultural bent. However, if you are a small farmer or if you plan to raise flowers or fruits and vegetables for competitions, then a production greenhouse, exclusively dedicated to the plants, may be a better bet.
Getting Started on Your Sunroom, Solarium, or Greenhouse
The first step is deciding which of these three types of sunny rooms will best suit your needs. Understanding how much maintenance you wish to perform and what you’ll be using your room for can help you narrow down the size and scope of your expansion.
Be realistic about your budget and expectations, and understand that the construction process may be time-consuming.
What Type of Builder Do I Need?
Your next step is to consult with a professional contractor, preferably one that specializes in home additions and outbuildings. Ideally, find someone who has experience renovating a porch into a sunroom, constructing all-glass structures, and who understands how to properly seal a solarium. Local building associations are a great place to start your search. You can also collect recommendations from friend and family.
Some big-box stores and online retailers sell small greenhouse kits, but be wary – these aren’t for a beginner DIY project. Furthermore, you may need to meet certain building codes for placing a greenhouse on your property. It’s better to consult with a general contractor before trying to assemble one of these yourself. If you want a production greenhouse, you’ll need a contractor. Additionally, you’ll need a licensed electrician to install all the systems that structure requires.
A sunroom can be completed by simply enclosing a porch or patio – so long as the footings or foundation are strong enough to support a roofed structure. These can usually be completed by a general contractor. However, you do want to make sure they’re aware of local building codes and that they can safely enclose the space with the right load-bearing walls.
Finally, a contractor for a solarium should be highly qualified and have specialist knowledge. This is because of the difficulty of installing these add-ons to your home after it’s built. Make sure that you spend plenty of time interviewing your contractor choices. Don’t hesitate to ask for references or to view completed projects. Here’s a contractor tip from RL Rider Remodeling: “The term ‘sunroom’ can apply to many types of structures depending on region and who you’re speaking with. Make sure you clearly define your project goals and expectations to your remodeling firm so they can deliver exactly what you’re picturing. Sunrooms are a flexible space that can be insulated and heated/air-conditioned so that you can enjoy the sunshine year-round no matter what climate you live in.”
Whichever space you select, know that investing in your home’s upgrades will likely add value and enjoyment for years to come!
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