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By: Andrew Caxton
Thanks to innovations in technology and materials used in
building sunrooms, they’re not just for plants and casual
sunroom furniture anymore. Yes, they are ideally built so
that you and your loved ones can enjoy the warmth and beauty
of the outdoors even in the dark of winter, but you no longer
have to limit your use of a sunroom to the idea of a fern
filled, wicker furniture sitting room. Today, home owners
are recognizing the benefits of using sunrooms for a number
of living spaces that go beyond the traditional sitting room.
Whether you’d like to create a bedroom, kitchen, dining
room, office or even a bathroom in the form of a sunroom,
the building materials now exist that will allow you to create
the sunroom of your imagination that will retain the comfort
of an indoor environment.
The Two Basic Types Of Sunrooms
When discussing sunrooms, there are two basic types of sunroom
additions that are usually offered. However, each of these
types can come in a number of different designs. The first
type is known as a three season sunroom because it is normally
comfortable for three seasons out of the calendar year. Usually,
this means that only in the coldest winter season will the
room be unusable. Of course, this varies from climate to climate
and region to region. Some homeowners will be able to use
a 3 season sunroom more than an actual nine months out of
the year. However, the fact is that these sunrooms are not
connected to your home’s climate control system. The
heating and air conditioning system that controls the temperature
of the rest of your home is not extended to include the sunroom
area. This has some benefits, as these sunrooms are normally
less expensive to build. In fact, many sunroom companies actually
sell do it yourself kits that will let you install the sunroom
on your !
own. Then, you can use ceiling fans, area fans, portable
heaters, or even portable air conditioners to keep the environment
as comfortable as possible for as long as possible.
The second type of sunroom is known as a four seasons or
all seasons sunroom. In this type of sunroom addition, the
structure is designed to be used during the entire calendar
year. This means that it is normally connected to your existing
heating and cooling system. Because of this, these sunrooms
will usually be more expensive. In fact, you will want to
consider opting for the highest grade of insulation and window
materials available when you are constructing this kind of
sunroom so that it is as energy efficient as possible. The
savings you will gain in energy efficiency will likely more
than make up for the initial cost of the higher quality materials.
Different Sunroom Designs
Depending on how you plan to use your sunroom, there are
a number of different structural designs available in each
of the two basic types of sunrooms. Many companies will custom
design and build a sunroom that meets your specifications
and matches nicely with the existing architecture of your
home. While the term ‘sunroom’ generally implies
that at least 3 of the room’s walls will be made of
glass, there are options for the ceiling as well. You can
choose to have a few skylights in your sunroom, or you can
intensify the amount of light that is let into the room by
having the entire roof constructed of glass. This type of
sunroom is called a conservatory, from the types of rooms
that were typical in Victorian homes. If you select a conservatory
for your sunroom plan, realize that you will want to concern
yourself with the type of glaze that you put on the roof glass.
It should be strong enough to protect you from the harmful
rays of the sun, but not so strong that it blocks !
out all of the light that you are building the room to enjoy.
You’ll also want to consider the type of décor
that you use in a conservatory room, as it may be prone to
fading.
Plus, the type of material that is used to build your sunroom
can make a great deal of difference in how easy it is to maintain.
If you choose wood, for example, it’s important to realize
that you’ll need to paint or refurnish it from time
to time. But a vinyl or aluminum siding with vinyl coating
is less maintenance intensive.
Next Steps In Building Your Sunroom Addition
One great place to start is in local sunroom contractor showrooms.
If you visit a number of them you will certainly get a range
of ideas and see a number of different plans that appeal to
you. By visiting the showrooms you get to physically experience
what your sunroom will be like. Plus, you’ll have the
opportunity to discuss your sunroom addition with a variety
of companies. Price is one factor to consider, but it shouldn’t
be the only one. Be prepared to ask a number of questions
regarding their licensing, material quality, insulation ratings
and warranty offerings so that you can make an educated decision.
About The Author
Andrew Caxton is the editor of http://www.allsunrooms.com
.He provides tips and advice about house additions as well
as on the sunroom additions at http://www.allsunrooms.com/enclosures.html
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