The Difference Between a Sunroom & a Conservatory

Sunrooms December 2019
Aluminum sunroom with large windows on a Florida home

When you’re thinking about adding a new room onto your home, you may hear the words “sunroom” and “conservatory” used interchangeably, but these two terms are actually quite different from each other. There are several differences in their structure and materials used to construct them.

Learn about the differences between sunrooms and conservatories for central Florida homes in Lakeland, Plant City, Wesley Chapel, and nearby areas.

What Is a Conservatory?

Often confused with a greenhouse, a conservatory is a room on the side of a home that has glass or polycarbonate roofing and walls. It’s a perfect room for growing plants and protecting them from wind, but it’s also a room where the homeowner and their family can gather and enjoy the weather without worrying about the nuisance of bugs such as mosquitoes.

Generally, this room is not connected to a home’s heating or cooling system, which means it could end up getting rather warm or cold in there depending on the season. There is no protection from the sun since the roof is completely see-through, meaning this room gets a lot more sun than a sunroom would.

A Sunroom Has a Roof that Protects from the Sun

On the other hand, a sunroom does have a roof, usually made from tile or shingles. This roof helps to insulate the sunroom, especially when the sunroom is usually connected to the house’s cooling system. The walls of a sunroom are usually predominantly glass or vinyl windows which provide better insulation, giving you a room that can be used no matter what the temperature outside may be. These rooms can become a dining room, family room, office, or another type of room.

At True Aluminum, we can create a custom sunroom for your home that adds livable space.

Which Is Better: Conservatory or Sunroom?

Ultimately, the choice is up to you when it comes to choosing a conservatory or a sunroom. It also depends on what you plan to use the room for, whether that’s a place for plants or for people to gather. In our area of central Florida, we generally recommend that you choose a sunroom when you’re thinking about adding a living area to your home. We have several days during the year that are very warm, which could make it more difficult to enjoy a new space.

Conservatories are probably better suited for areas that are north of us unless you want to add on a space specifically for growing plants and protecting them from the elements.

Have you been considering adding a sunroom to your central Florida home?

At True Aluminum, we design and build quality, custom sunrooms that look beautiful and add value to your property as well as new, livable space. If you’ve been considering adding a sunroom to your home in central Florida areas such as Lakeland, Plant City, Wesley Chapel, and more, then give us a call today at (863) 804-6021 to learn more. You can also submit our online contact form and one of our team members will reach out to you shortly to discuss your needs!

Find Us in Plant City

Our office is at 4000 N Frontage Rd in Plant City. We serve homeowners and businesses throughout Central Florida. Polk, eastern Hillsborough, and Pasco counties.

What Central Florida Says

Real Reviews From Real Central Florida Customers

Live from our Google Business Profile and Facebook page. Updated automatically.

"I had a great experience with the True Aluminum team! The team was professional, responsive, and did excellent work from start to finish. The quality of the cage installation exceeded my expectations, and the project was completed on time. The crew was courteous and respectful of my property, and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a high-quality outdoor enclosure. Thank you for a job well done!"
Aridai Gonzalez Jun 2026
"We are more than satisfied with True Aluminum. The office staff and all of the personnel are very professional and immediately respond to any questions or requests. The work performed on my lanai is beyond expectation. We recommend True Aluminum 100%."
Nellie Marengo May 2026
"What a great vendor to work with! Did an outstanding job, very happy and would recommend to anyone for their lanai needs."
Tim Foster May 2026
"Everything was handled timely and with such professionalism. The office kept me informed every step of the way and the two who actually did the work were absolutely amazing. They showed up on time, worked diligently, were courteous, and every day they cleaned up. Everyone associated with True Aluminum was top rate! I would recommend them again and again."
Janice Atkinson Apr 2026
"Had a leak in our sunroom every time it rained. I had seen True Aluminum trucks in different parts of my neighborhood in Lake Ashton, so gave them a call for a repair estimate. Setup an appointment within a week and repair was scheduled within another week. Finn Mackenzie was my repair man, and he was very professional and a very down to earth real person to talk with! He told me his plan to repair and fix my whole problem and afterwards asked if I had any questions or concerns. I found out pretty fast Finn was a perfectionist! All work was done and everything cleaned up just as if no one was ever there."
Danny Phillips Apr 2026
"Excellent company! True Aluminum installed a screen system for our lanai. It was complicated with arches and a large area covered by an awning. From estimate to sitting in our screened area took about a week. Incredible!!! Chris and his team were so polite and respectful. I have used True for building, A/C, repairs, painting and now screening and have always had the best possible service and quality work. I can give no higher recommendation!"
Monte Erfourth Apr 2026

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers Central Florida homeowners ask us most often.

What services does True Aluminum provide?
We design, build, and repair aluminum outdoor structures across Central Florida: screen rooms and lanais, pool cages and enclosures, sunrooms, screen replacements and rescreens, patio and deck enclosures, carports, aluminum rails and fencing, storm shutters, seamless gutter installation, and paver installation.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Lakeland, Plant City, Winter Haven, Bartow, Brandon, Davenport, Mulberry, New Tampa, Valrico, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Auburndale, and the surrounding Central Florida communities across Polk, eastern Hillsborough, and Pasco counties.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. True Aluminum is fully licensed and insured, holding Florida aluminum specialty structure license SCC131151391.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. We partner with Wisetack to offer financing on approved credit. Prequalifying takes about a minute and does not impact your credit score.
How do I get an estimate?
Call (863) 804-6021 or send the quote form and we will schedule your True Aluminum inspection. We look at the space, talk through options and materials, and give you a clear written estimate.
How many reviews do you have?
True Aluminum holds a 4.9 star rating across 250+ Google reviews. As part of the True family of companies serving Central Florida since 2009, our teams have served more than 100,000 customers.
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