22 May 2025
When considering the ways to expand your living space, both sunrooms and garden rooms offer unique ways to enhance your home. These extensions can transform your living environment, whether that involves adding more natural light or creating a peaceful retreat in your garden. Whilst each of these options serves the purpose of extending your living space, they also come with a variety of differing benefits depending on your lifestyle and home improvement goals. With numerous options available on the market, it can be challenging to distinguish the key differences between sunrooms and garden rooms and ultimately decide which one would be best for your home.
This article will guide you through the basics of the sunroom and garden room, differences in functionality and aesthetics, cost considerations, and possible planning permissions so that you can make a confident and informed decision on the perfect home extension for you.
Some key distinctions that help to differentiate between a sunroom and a garden room include:
A sunroom is typically an extension attached to a house, which is designed to expand your living space and maximise the levels of natural light entering your home.
Unlike a sunroom, a garden room is a standalone, insulated building that stands separate from the main house. It can be used for various purposes, such as a home office, a gym, or a lounge area.
As described above, whilst both extension types have interchangeable features and functions, they still differ depending on your preferences and home goals. Sunrooms are the ideal choice if you want a living space that increases natural light as a result of the large window panes and glass roof. Additionally, sunrooms can be adapted to suit a variety of activities, including hosting gatherings, as a living or dining room, or even as a home office. They are attached to the existing structure of the home to extend upon the existing living space. However, a garden room is characterised primarily by the fact that it is a standalone structure, usually at the end of a garden. They are ideal for year-round use due to their enhanced insulation and versatile functionality. They can serve as a home office, studio, guestroom, gym, or relaxation area.
Not only do both extension types provide upgraded functionality to your lifestyle, but they are also stylish choices to add to any home. Sunroom extensions provide a seamless connection between your expanded living space and the existing house design, creating a bright and airy feel in your home. SRJ’s orangeries come in a wide range of finishing touches that can be applied to your sunroom, including colour choice, with classics such as white, grey, and black, as well as an additional durable coating for enhanced weatherproofing.
A garden room extension excels at offering high flexibility and customisation options for a sleek, modern, and high-performance living space. Our expertly crafted insulated garden rooms include columns that are five times more thermally insulating than brick, not only providing a more durable appearance but also lowering your reliance on heating systems. The design you choose for your garden room can suit a variety of purposes and personal tastes, and can be tailored to suit a contemporary home or rustic garden retreat.
Overall, both options can enhance the overall aesthetic of your home and garden, depending on how they are designed and the materials used.
Though there can typically be some differences in cost between the two, at SRJ Sunrooms, our garden rooms and sunrooms are similar in terms of cost, making the final decision even easier. However, there are some minor considerations to be made as a result of their nature, being connected or not to your existing home. Sunrooms may incur additional costs related to their glazing, insulation, and the potential installation of separate heating and cooling systems. Also, they may require planning permission, particularly if they have a significant impact on the building’s footprint.
On the other hand, garden rooms have a quicker installation process, with many garden rooms falling under the category of ‘permitted development’, meaning that they may not require planning permission if they adhere to specific rules. It’s essential to continuously check local regulations and get professional advice before starting your next project.
Whether you choose a sunroom or a garden room to enhance your home, both are excellent ways to expand your living space and allow your home to reach its ultimate potential. If you’re looking for a bright, seamless addition to enjoy your living space all year round, a sunroom may be the ideal choice. Or, if you need a private, flexible space away from the main house, then a garden room may be the better fit. After you have evaluated what you are looking to prioritise within your new living space, the space available, and your local regulations, you are ready to take the next step to the extension of your dream home.
Get in touch with SRJ Sunrooms today to receive unrivalled, expert advice from a member of our team to help you make your vision come to life. You can contact us through our online form or give us a call on 01383 851 951, and we’d be happy to help.