Before calling a sunroom representative, there are several important issues worthy of consideration to help you get the best value for your money and to receive a product you will be happy with for as long as you own your home.
One of the first things you should consider is the use of the room. Most people initially think of sunrooms as a place to get away from mosquitoes and inclement weather. But think about other uses, such as entertaining, or for use as a home office, spa, or exercise room. Often, customers who plan wisely find that their new sunroom becomes the most used room in the house.
Next, select the type of sunroom you want. If you simply want an outdoor retreat during nice weather, a screened porch or seasonal room might be right for you. For a bit more, you can upgrade to a glass and screen enclosure that will extend the sunroom’s use from early spring to late fall. If you are looking for an expanded family room, kitchen, exercise room or home office to use year-round, select a solarium or insulated sunroom. Today’s higher quality sunrooms can be purchased with insulated glass and feature thermally-efficient framing so they can fit nearly any use. For maximum efficiency and privacy, many experts recommend separating the sunroom from rest of the home with a door.
Consider the room’s view. Full-length glass gives homeowners the best view of the outdoors. You should also consider your climate. If it stays sunny, you may need blinds, tinted glass or air conditioning for your sunroom. If you plan to use it during winter, is the weather severe? You may need to heat the room and include insulated glass.
The next consideration should be the size of the space you want. Going into other rooms in the house and measuring them as reference points is a good idea.
Sunrooms vs. Room Additions
Whereas a room addition is comprised mostly of wood, masonry or other solid material that can cost up to three times what a typical sunroom costs, most of the area of a sunroom is covered by screen or glass and is likely to be constructed using a low-maintenance wood, aluminum or vinyl frame. The style of sunroom, solarium or conservatory you build is only limited by your imagination and budget.
Generally, sunrooms and solariums can be divided into two basic categories:
Three-season sunrooms usually are mostly constructed with single-glazed glass and screens. Some companies offer optional tinted glass and shading systems to reduce glare and the effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Single-pane glass can shield occupants from wind and offers some protection from moderately warm or cool temperatures, but offer little protection against extreme temperatures.
Year-round sunrooms and solarium models are equipped with double-paned insulated glass, and when used in conjunction with a dedicated or zoned heating and cooling system, can make the room available for use every day of the year.
Caveat Emptor
Beware of sunroom suppliers that purchase standard-sized components such as doors and windows from other manufacturers, and then use filler pieces to fit and cover gaps to provide you with a “custom” sunroom product. This approach can lead to poor aesthetics or an “add-on” look that does not blend with the rest of the house.
A truly custom sunroom or solarium, by definition, is manufactured for a specific customer, taking factors such as existing housing construction, materials, customer taste, intended use, and available space into account.
Look for a company that maintains an engineering design staff and its own manufacturing operation. This gives it the flexibility to employ a technique known as “custom manufacturing”, whereby walls and windows within every sunroom or solarium, regardless of cost or style, are built to customer’s or recommended specifications.
Another point to consider is whether sunroom and solarium products have been tested to meet local wind, rain and snow load requirements, as well as local building codes. It’s a good idea to find out whether the company tests or can provide data on its building materials.
A company’s warranty is only as good as the company that offers it so make sure the company has been in business more than 10 years. Even a lengthy warranty can be short on protection so make sure you know what’s covered and what isn’t. For example, most warranties cover “manufacturer’s defects” but may not cover failure from ordinary use or weather exposure. Optimally, the company you purchase the room from is the company that will manufacture and install it. Competent sunroom installers undergo extensive training and an improperly installed sunroom may lead to finger-pointing between the seller, contractor and manufacturer. You may wind up stuck with serious problems -- including a potentially voided warranty.
If a company says they can start on your project right away that may actually be a warning sign, since it signals that its business may be on the decline. A company that has a healthy backlog of a few weeks is a sign that it is busy and customers desire its products and are willing to wait.
Sunroom Options
Low-emissive (Low-E) tempered glass for safety and better insulation, and self-cleaning glass panes are becoming increasingly popular and are more than just options. They promote safety and can help to lower energy costs associated with heating and cooling.
Because of new glass technologies that cut down on harmful UVA and UVB radiation, and the fact that many leading furniture manufacturers now use fade-resistant fabrics, you now have more decorating and furnishing choices than ever.
Although there have been many improvements in glass technologies, try to work with a company that also offers custom blinds and shades that were made for use in a sunroom. Shades and blinds may be desirable if your sunroom will be exposed to direct sunlight or if you occasionally desire more privacy.
Beyond the obvious immediate value sunrooms have for their occupants as a place to relax, use as an extra room, home office, or as a spa or exercise room, sunrooms, solariums and conservatory are a sound investment. A well-built sunroom will typically return more than 70 percent of your investment at resale. If you live in the Midwest this number can be closer to 98 percent or more.
If you are interested in adding a sunroom to your home and would like to get a FREE no-obligation in-home sunroom design consultation, contact Patio Enclosures, Inc. One of our Sunroom Design Consultants would be happy to help you plan and design a sunroom to match your home, lifestyle and budget.