Sunroom

---

title: "Sunroom" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["glass-architecture", "rooms", "solar-design"] description: "Room with large glass windows or walls for exposure to sunlight" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunroom" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Room with large glass windows or walls for exposure to sunlight ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Hatoyama_Hall_(sun-room).jpg" caption="A sunroom in [[Hatoyama Hall]], [[Tokyo, Japan"] ::

A sunroom, also frequently called a solarium (and sometimes a "Florida room", "garden conservatory", "garden room", "patio room", "sun parlor", "sun porch", "three season room" or "winter garden"{{Cite web | title = 12 Sunrooms That Are Bright and Welcoming | work = Architectural Digest | date = May 2010 | access-date = 2014-04-03 | url = http://www.architecturaldigest.com/decor/2010-05/garden-rooms-slideshow | last = Graydon | first = Michael | title = Photo Gallery: Beautiful Sunrooms | work = Canadian House & Home | access-date = 2014-04-03 | url = http://houseandhome.com/design/photo-gallery-beautiful-sunrooms | last = Lea | first = Keya | title = Passive Solar Sun Room | work = Green Passive Solar Magazine | access-date = 2014-04-03 | date = 2010-05-03 | url = http://greenpassivesolar.com/2010/05/passive-solar-sunroom/

In Great Britain, which has a long history of formal conservatories, a small conservatory is sometimes denominated a "sunroom". In gardening, a garden room is a secluded and partly enclosed outside space within a garden that creates a room-like effect.

Design

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Wintergarten_(Eingefahrener_Sonnenschutz)_(Anemometer).jpg" caption="A German "Wintergarten" with open [[blinds]] and [[anemometer]] (top left)"] ::

Attached sunrooms typically are constructed of transparent tempered glazing atop a brick or wood "knee wall" or framed entirely of wood, aluminum, or PVC, and glazed on all sides. Frosted glass or glass block may be used to add privacy. Screens are a fundamental aspect of a "Florida room", and jalousie windows are often featured. An integrated sunroom is specifically designed with many windows and climate controls. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Jamnagar_Solarium_-Indian_Review_1936-_37-3.jpg" caption="Revolving solarium in Jamnagar, India designed by [[Jean Saidman"] ::

A solarium is typically distinguished from a sunroom by the former being specifically and primarily designed to collect sunlight for warmth and light as opposed to being primarily designed to feature scenic views, and by being composed of walls, save one, and a roof that are entirely of framed glass. These typically are erected in higher latitude (low angle of sunlight) or cold (higher altitude) locations. In contrast, a sunroom sensu stricto has an opaque roof.

Technologies

During the 1960s, professional re-modelling companies developed affordable systems to enclose a patio or deck, offering design, installation, and full service warranties. Patio rooms featured lightweight, engineered roof panels, single pane glass, and aluminium construction.

As technology advanced, insulated glass, vinyl, and vinyl-wood composite framework appeared. More recently, specialized blinds and curtains have been developed, many electrically operated by remote control. Specialized flooring, including radiant heat, may be adapted to both attached and integrated sunrooms.

Notes

References

• {{Cite web | title = Sunrooms and Sunspaces | publisher = US Department of Energy | access-date = 2014-04-03 | url = http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/sunrooms-and-sunspaces
• {{Cite news |title = Passive Solar Room |work = Ecolution |access-date = 2014-04-03 |year = 1997 |url = http://ecohome.org/ecolution/solar_room/passive_solar_room.htm |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140304213306/http://ecohome.org/ecolution/solar_room/passive_solar_room.htm |archive-date = 2014-03-04

References

1. (2025-06-18). "Solarium vs Sunroom: What is the Difference?".
2. (27 February 2016). "Sunroom Technologies".

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::