A Florida room or a sunroom blends outdoor and indoor living in a beautiful—and quite comfy—way. Many people use these spaces as an additional living room. They deck them out with rugs, furniture, and decor that reflects their family’s taste. The terms are often used interchangeably. Outdoor living spaces are more commonly known as Florida rooms in the southeastern United States.
Sunrooms became popular during the 1950s and 60s. People were looking for a way to enjoy the benefits of being outdoors—mainly, fresh air and sunshine—without the annoyance of dealing with bugs and other pests or adverse weather conditions. The solution was to create a room constructed with huge windows and glass ceilings. The visual satisfaction of being enclosed in glass enhances feelings of rest and relaxation.
Lanais were already a popular feature in Florida by that time. Screening them in made the space more enjoyable for the same reasons people began adding sunrooms to their home designs in other parts of the country. Bugs and flying insects couldn’t invade the space. Moreover, when sudden rain showers and storms sprung up, the screened-in area afforded some protection from the elements.
Let’s compare and contrast
There are a few subtle differences between a Florida room and a sunroom.
Most Florida rooms have solid, insulated roofs. They help protect against the sun’s intense heat during the late spring and summer. Sunrooms are often constructed with glass roofs to create a more open feel and, thereby, a greater sense of connection to the outdoors.
Florida rooms are typically constructed using aluminum framing and mesh screens rather than glass windows allowing for free airflow. This literally causes a greater sense of being outdoors because without the screens, you are. Sunrooms are designed using insulated glass windows and ceilings to maintain a better level of comfort throughout the year.
Florida rooms go up more quickly. Homeowners can typically enjoy the space between a week to three weeks after making the decision to construct one. Sunrooms are often included in the original design of the home or as a room addition. They normally take a month or two to complete.
Florida rooms are usually constructed using aluminum framing and mesh screens. It’s a more modern and maintenance-free approach. Sunrooms, on the other hand, are more costly due to the expensive of insulated glass and other materials, such as wood and sheetrock.
Both can be created from scratch using existing patios and if someone has experience in construction, can be a do-it-yourself (DIY) project. However, many homeowners hire professional contractors to see the job through to completion.
People consider Florida rooms as more versatile. Homeowners use this multi-functional space for relaxing, exercise areas, or entertainment venues. Sunrooms are typically designed as living rooms and decorated to inspire relaxation.
Both Florida rooms and sunrooms provide additional living space which boosts the property’s value to a degree. How much depends on factors such as size and materials used.
Something else to consider
Rather than incurring the expense of enclosing your outdoor living space predominantly in glass, take another look at a mesh screen enclosure. We’ve already mentioned that it’s a more budget-friendly option. Moreover and especially if you’re going to enclose your pool area, we want to mention that screen enclosures allow for free airflow. That is your best defense against mold and mildew.
When water is splashed from the pool, it winds up everywhere! If you have a glass enclosure, it can prevent some areas from drying out completely. When that happens, mold can begin to grow and, once it gets started, continue to spread. Left unchecked, mold eventually causes adverse health issues for humans and their pets.
Symptoms of allergic reactions to mold in humans include:
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Eye irritation
- Sore throat
- Dry cough
- Sneezing
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Inability to focus
- General malaise
Pets can exhibit the following allergic reactions:
- Respiratory issues such as sneezing, breathing difficulties, coughing, wheezing, and discharge from the eyes and nose
- Excessive licking or scratching leading to fur loss and painful sores.
- Lethargy
If left unchecked, the allergic reactions above can lead to more serious issues, including:
- Bleeding from mouth or nose
- Neurological problems causing them to act strangely
- Digestive problems that present as vomiting and stool changes
- Weakened immunity
Choosing a Florida room
Florida rooms built with mesh screens provide your family with a variety of benefits that you can enjoy all year long. We’ve already mentioned that they guard against bug invasions and adverse weather conditions. And that the free airflow protects your family from the danger of mold exposure because every nook and cranny dries out completely.
They also prevent unwanted creatures, such as snakes or even the occasional gator, from wandering too close to the house. Because they are traditionally built with standard, insulated roofs, they add a level of protection from the sun’s dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays. And, as the sun filters through the screened walls, it lessens their intensity as well.
We have one last reason for choosing a Florida room over a sunroom. That is screen customization. Some companies offer to print digital images onto their mesh screens. The results are astonishing, completely transforming the surroundings while adding the illusion of privacy that many homeowners find wonderfully surprising!
Images are printed onto the screens using dyes reinforced with the latest UV protection ensuring they remain vibrant for years to come—even under the harsh Florida sun!
This feature enables homeowners to create a backyard getaway spot that draws their family and friends in—so much so, that it could easily become the favorite room in the house! The ability to be outdoors and feel as if you’re at the beach or surrounded by lush tropical vegetation or any other spot in the world that you and your family choose is a fringe benefit hard to resist.
What do you think?