For decades, smart homeowners have turned to patio enclosures as a way to enjoy the outdoors without the unnecessary hassle of wind, rain, and insects that ruin mild daytime temperatures. These home “accessories” began to attract the attention of the American public in the early 1960s, and demand for these spacious, well-designed products quickly began to skyrocket. Today, patio enclosures are often viewed as windowed rooms called “sunrooms” and “sunrooms,” and there are a number of advantages to each type of structure.

Sunrooms vs. Solariums

While both structures are designed so that homeowners can enjoy the sunlight streaming through the large open windows, the most notable difference between a sunroom and a sunroom is the fact that the latter is completely enclosed by glass. , including the roof, while solariums usually have only one or more glass walls. Due to the increased light, solariums are more often used as greenhouses, while solariums are more often built as an additional room for a house.

Pros and cons of Sunrooms

Homeowners who add sunrooms to their homes enjoy many benefits. These rooms are easily attached to the existing house structure, as it is relatively simple for most contractors to build glass around an existing covered patio. Due to the solid roof of a sunroom, these structures are usually well insulated, which means that they are much more energy efficient than solariums. In addition, these patio enclosures are relatively maintenance-free, as the glass is just as easy to clean as the other windows in the house. However, the main disadvantage of a sunroom is that the view from the windows includes only the surrounding landscape and the backyard, not the full view of the sky, as solariums offer.

Pros and cons of solariums

In contrast, a solarium offers an unobstructed view of the surroundings and the sky through its full glass enclosure, and the abundant sunlight makes these structures ideal for gardening. The beautiful view is considered a great benefit to most homeowners, who find this feature worthwhile for the considerable drawbacks of the structure. Because these structures are covered with glass, they are very energy inefficient compared to the solid roofs of a sunroom. Your windowed roof also demands a higher cost to install and can be nearly impossible to keep clean – leaves, streaks of water, snow, twigs and more debris can easily accumulate on top of a sunroom. While many companies will offer warranties to cover potential exposed roof repair costs, these warranties generally only last ten to 15 years and are often non-transferable.

When it comes to patio enclosures, the decision is ultimately up to the owner. For some, the spectacular views offered by solariums are worth their many disadvantages, and for others, a cozy sunroom will suit their purposes very well. Regardless of your choice, there is no better way to bring light into your home than to build a beautiful patio enclosure with windows.