Aluminum Sunrooms

The most notable feature of a greenhouse is its purpose. It is a simple, unadorned structure designed specifically for growing plants. Greenhouses, or botanical gardens, were built in Italy in the 13th century out of necessity. Explorers returning from tropical regions would use these structures to store the various plants they had collected during their expeditions. It wasn't until the 19th century that Charles Lucien Bonaparte, a French botanist and nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, built the first "modern" greenhouse for growing medicinal tropical plants. Greenhouses vary greatly in size, from small backyard structures suitable for leisure use to large buildings suitable for commercial development. Greenhouses are made of a variety of materials, including glass, plastic, and aluminum. Unlike other gardening methods, growing plants in a greenhouse has the added advantage of being protected from pests and inclement weather. In addition, greenhouses can be equipped with a range of extras to help growers, such as benches, heaters, irrigation systems, etc.

Of all the structures presented, conservatories are the most versatile. A conservatory is a glass structure consisting of a glass roof and/or glass walls. These units can either stand alone or be added to an existing building. A conservatory is a compromise between a greenhouse and a sunroom. Conservatories, similar to greenhouses, originated in the 16th century and were used to preserve citrus plants brought back by explorers returning to Europe. These structures helped protect new plants from strong winds and cold temperatures. While conservatories can certainly be used to cultivate plants, their primary use is to create additional living space. With a conservatory, a world of possibilities opens up for homeowners. Some possible uses include a living room, pool house, kitchen extension, tea room - the possibilities are endless.