A sunroom is a great addition to any Florida home. These rooms are incredibly versatile, as they can serve as a workout area, a playroom for your children, or an entertainment area for hosting guests. They add space and functionality to your home and increase its overall value.
Sunrooms do a great job of regulating sun exposure and temperature. With one, you can enjoy natural light and outdoor views without suffering through Florida’s intense heat. Oftentimes, sunrooms are more desirable over lanais and screen rooms because of their more intricate construction.
Here at True Aluminum, we install sunrooms for properties in Wesley Chapel, Plant City, Lakeland, and the surrounding areas.
When deciding on the right sunroom for your home, you should be aware of the different types. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all sunroom. Here, we’ll explore the five categories of sunrooms you should keep in mind when planning this addition to your home.
1. Category I sunrooms are screen rooms.

The Florida Building Code has placed sunrooms into five categories numbered one through five. Category I is the simplest sunroom. It is defined as a roof or covering of an outdoor area. Essentially, a Category I is just a room with screen walls and a roof. This type of sunroom is your most affordable option.
The Florida Building Code defines sunrooms in Categories I-III as “unconditioned and non-habitable.”
2. Category II sunrooms have enclosed walls.
Category II sunrooms have a roof and enclosed walls. The openings can be enclosed with transparent or translucent glass or plastic.
Typically, you’ll see Category II sunrooms constructed with acrylic windows. These tend to do a great job of keeping water out during the rainy season.
3. Category III sunrooms meet air-leakage resistance and other requirements.
Category III sunrooms are similar in design to those in Category II. However, they offer several benefits to consider. These sunrooms meet the following requirements:
- Air-leakage resistance
- Water-penetration resistance
- Forced-entry resistance
Category III sunrooms are made with glass with shutters or impact glass. Typically, residents opt for impact glass because it’s more economical.
4. Category IV sunrooms are habitable.
