What Is a Conservatory? Here's How It's Different From a Sunroom or Solarium

Who doesn’t want to soak up more sunshine? Especially in the winter months, having another space where you can take advantage of a sunny day can help create a more enjoyable season. While sunrooms are one of the most popular rooms suited for this purpose, there’s another option. A conservatory can provide similar benefits, but can provide even more light exposure with a little decorative flair, too. These glass-enclosed rooms are traditionally built onto an existing structure, and can function as a greenhouse or living space depending on the intended purpose.

So, how is a conservatory different from a sunroom or solarium? We're answering all that and more in this handy guide to conservatories. If you've been thinking about adding a conservatory of your own, here's everything you need to know. Ben Foreman, sales manager at Solar Innovations, shares his expertise on conservatories—including their defining elements and characteristics, the investment, and the installation process required for creating your own.

What Is a Conservatory?

A conservatory is a room with glass walls and ceiling panels. One side of the structure is sometimes attached to a house or primary building, but it can also stand alone. A conservatory is sometimes used as a greenhouse (this is common with standalone structures), but it can also function as a living space, similarly to a sunroom. Areas that receive a lot of light exposure and warm climates can often heat a conservatory up to uncomfortable temperatures in the summer. Air conditioning can help, but if you want to reduce light exposure, a sun room or solarium might be a better option. On the flip side, the sun exposure can create a cozy lounge space in the winter, even in areas with colder climates.

How Is a Conservatory Different from a Sunroom or Solarium?

Foreman explains that conservatories, sunrooms, and solariums all fall under a similar realm, and their names can sometimes be used interchangeably depending on your geographic location. But, there are subtle differences that can set each of these sun-centric spaces apart from each other, including their size, design, and primary source of sun exposure.

“Sunrooms are typically smaller structures that receive the bulk of their daylight from windows, either made of all glass or many individual windows in a traditional construction space,” Foreman says. On the other hand, solariums tend to be larger and most of their sunlight exposure comes in through skylights. For a solarium, windows on the perimeter are not a must, and the roofline is sometimes curved.

“Conservatories are often thought of as a more elegantly designed structure that can be constructed of all glass with aluminum or wood framing or of traditional framing coupled with windows and skylights,” Foreman says. It might take a more pared-down look or call on flourishes like crown molding, finials, and decorative gutters to create a more ornate appearance.

How to Create a Conservatory in Your Home

A conservatory is an in-depth construction project, so hiring a professional is most likely your best option for creating a structure that is safe, sturdy, and built for long-lasting use. The process will consist of laying the foundation, building the base, and setting up the walls. Once these elements are in place, a roof, windows, and doors are installed. Whether you opt for a stand-alone conservatory kit, prefer to buy all the elements yourself, or you outsource the project to a professional, it helps to know the basics of what the project will entail.

How to Design a Conservatory

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to designing a conservatory, and most of them revolve around climate control. “Depending on the climate, including ventilation in your conservatory is very important,” Foreman says. “While Solar Innovations uses insulated glass for our conservatories, heat from the sun can make the space inside feel very warm.”

Regardless of whether your glass is insulated or not, the conservatory pro suggests including ventilation elements like operable windows, ridge vents, or eve vents to make the space feel more comfortable. “These ventilation methods can also be linked to automation systems that open or close depending on internal temperature or outside weather conditions," he says.

How Much Does a Conservatory Cost?

According to HomeAdvisor, conservatory installations range anywhere from $10,000 to $80,000. It might seem like a big swing from one end of the pricing spectrum to the other, but it’s important to realize that much of the cost will be relative to your style preferences. “The cost for a conservatory can vary greatly based on the options chosen,” Foreman says. “Keeping selections simple, typical costs are very similar to or slightly higher than an equal-sized traditional construction addition.”

Just beware of the cost of upgrades—something that he warns can cause the price to add up quickly. To help ensure you know all the options before you get too far down the road, Foreman suggests hiring a designer who can not only help keep you informed but also ensure the installation process is a smooth one.