Add a Sunroom to Let the Light Shine In
Adding a sunroom to your home can be a beautiful investment, providing you with a room where you can enjoy the outdoors even when you want to be indoors. Today’s sunrooms are constructed well enough that your sunroom can be enjoyed in comfort throughout the year.
When considering a sunroom, you will want to look at multiple plans from a variety of places and get quotes on each. From a do-it-yourself project to a professionally built project, make sure you’re fully involved and know what you’re getting before you begin.
The first thing you’ll want to do is study the layout of your current home and yard. Is there a logical place in your home that the sunroom could be added on? Perhaps built out from an existing family room or living room? Also, is there adequate space in your yard to accommodate the addition? Remember to look at your home from the perspective of converting existing space into a sunroom. A porch or deck can often be finished into a sunroom.
Be sure to check with your local building inspector to make sure that you can add your sunroom and meet all local codes and ordinances. For example, many cities and townships will let you build only within a predetermined number of feet of your property line, or allow for structures to only cover a set percentage of the total property.
Sunrooms can be either entirely glass or partial glass. Do you want the walls and ceiling to be all glass, or would you like there to be wall to a set point and then glass? Do you want a roof with skylights, or a glass ceiling? Consider how each would complement the overall appearance of your home.
Also consider your region’s climate and how much of the year you would like to be able to enjoy the room. If you live in a colder climate and want to use the room year-round, you will need to figure in heating expenses. If you live in a mild climate you may not have a need for heat, but may need cooling.
The basic construction of your sunroom includes the foundation, floor, walls, roof and windows. You’ll want to consider each of these aspects as you design your sunroom. The foundation is best built on leveled ground, and footings will need to be deeper than your frost line. This type of foundation can accommodate most flooring choices.
Your sunroom’s walls will be primarily glass, but will also include other materials such as PVC, wood or aluminum. Consider the appearance of each, and which materials will look best on your addition as well as with the rest of your home.
One of the biggest choices you’ll have to make is with your window style, since there will be many. You’ll need to decide whether your windows will be fixed (non-opening) will open, or be a combination of both. You’ll need to determine which styles and types of frames you like, and how much energy efficiency you need from your windows.
Choosing to add a sunroom onto your home requires a lot of thought, but when you get to enjoy the beauty of your new room day after day you will realize it was well worth the effort.
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