Sunrooms address several different needs for a house. They can act as conservatories, solariums and patio rooms, among other uses. They are also relatively inexpensive to build and can significantly add to the value and appearance of a house. Start by deciding on the type and quality of sunroom you want. Does this Spark an idea?
Choosing a Sunroom
First, determine what kind of sunroom you want; a greenhouse or solarium usually doesn't require as much detailed construction as a patio room or lounge area, but it is much more difficult to entertain guests in a greenhouse. A patio room needs more elaborate connections to the heat, electricity, and piping of the house. Decide exactly where you want to build. The sunroom should always be on the side of the house that receives the most sunlight depending on where you live. If you want the sunroom to be more in the solarium style, separate from the house, position it correctly, with the windows still facing the direction that receives the most sunlight. Many sunrooms originally started out as decks or real patios, so you may want to investigate remodelling a nearby patio as a sunroom first.
When it comes to energy savings, a give-and-take principle applies to sunrooms. When the sun is shining, it can supply a lot of heat to the house through the sunroom, lowering the need for forced-air heating. However, the large number of windows in the sunroom can also cause the house to lose a lot of heat, especially when the sun isn't shining. For this reason, be aware of what windows you choose to use. Try to find those that are well-insulated or that have particular features like UV-blocking films.
Styles and Methods for Building
You can design the sunroom yourself, making the building plans, buying the supplies, laying the foundation and raising the walls yourself (this requires significant construction experience). You can also buy a sunroom kit from a company that supplies do-it-yourself kits that contain nearly everything you need to build a simple sunroom. For the more complicated sunrooms that are meant to function as an integral part of the house itself, it is probably best to hire a professional contractor to build at least the primary structure for you.
Sunrooms tend to experience drastic changes in temperature during the year, so it is usually best to choose wood that is pressure-treated for the best durability. Less expensive sunrooms are made with aluminum framing, which is easier to construct and resists rust, which means easier maintenance. However, the aluminum can develop white deposits over time (its version of rust), so you will still need to keep it clean.
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