By Rita Templeton
It was pure practicality that brought about the invention of the sunroom. People loved sitting on their porches and patios to relax, but disagreeable weather (and pesky insects) often prevented it. Soon, new forms of protection from the elements were being developed, and covered patios and screened-in porches became popular. And with the advent of storm windows, the sunroom was born.
These days more than ever, sunrooms allow their owners to enjoy the outdoors without sacrificing comfort. They provide a beautiful, calming space in which to relax, read, play, or nap, and plenty of light for crafts and other hobbies. They also dramatically increase a home’s value: homebuyers are enticed by the prospect of a sunroom, and Remodeling Magazine estimates that a sunroom’s resale value equals 89 to 115 percent of its original cost.
If you’re thinking about adding a sunroom to your home, it’s important to plan ahead and equip yourself with information before you buy anything. After all, it’s no small investment - you want a sunroom that’s comfortable, attractive, energy efficient, and worthy of your home.
First and foremost: the location. When determining what direction your sunroom should face, there are several things to take into consideration. If you live in a warm climate, a north-facing sunroom may be the answer; it will be partially shaded for the majority of the day and will remain comfortable even if it’s sweltering outside. If your climate is cool, a south-facing room will get abundant sunshine – this is the direction that gets the most. East and west-facing rooms depend on your preference: east-facing rooms are perfect for watching the sunrise and doing morning activities, and those that face west allow you to get plenty of afternoon sunshine and watch gorgeous sunsets. Think about what your sunroom’s primary use is going to be, take note of how the sun moves across your house, and choose directions accordingly.
Next, consider whether you’d like your sunroom to be constructed with vinyl or aluminum. Your choice here largely depends on whether you’re going to use the room year-round or only for three seasons. For year-round use, you’ll want vinyl; it is thermally efficient and offers the best insulation. For three-season use, aluminum will work just fine. It tends to be more cost-efficient than vinyl, and provides sturdy yet lightweight structural support.
The most important aspect of your sunroom is, of course, the windows. Because they’re so crucial to the room, you’ll need to buy the best quality you can possibly afford. You don’t want anything less than double-glazed windows - single-glazed glass is not energy efficient enough for such a room. The good news is that most windows these days are, at the very least, double-glazed. This simply means that there are two panes of glass with air or gas between them to serve as an insulator. Triple paned windows have three glass panes with two layers of insulation. For sunrooms, though, consider purchasing windows with low-E glazing. Low-E glazed windows contain an indiscernibly thin layer of metallic oxide, which allows light to pass through but reflects heat. They also block the harmful ultraviolet rays that can cause furniture and carpeting to fade. As a general rule, the more energy-efficient the window, the more costly it is. But in this case, the old adage “you get what you pay for” definitely applies!
When choosing your windows, you also need to consider whether you want them to be operable. Operable windows allow you to ventilate the room if it gets too hot; just crack them open to let the air circulate through. Whatever type of window you choose, keep safety in mind and look for tempered, or heat-treated, glass - when broken, it crumbles into tiny, cube-shaped pieces rather than jagged, dangerous shards.
Sliding glass doors are the most popular choice for sunrooms, as they don’t “interrupt” the all-glass enclosure. They allow light to come in and provide an effective barrier against the weather. Look for steel rollers on stainless steel tracks, and don’t forget to check if the rollers are covered under the door’s warranty - they are the single deciding factor of whether or not your door opens and closes smoothly.
Yet another factor to take into consideration is climate control, particularly with an all-season sunroom. As mentioned above, operable windows allow for ventilation. Ceiling fans can help circulate the air, and vents draw air in from outside. Blinds or shades can be useful for keeping the heat out in the summer and retaining it in the winter. You can even purchase windows with shades between the panes of glass that can be raised with the touch of a button. Shades also give you a degree of privacy. If you’ll be using the sunroom in the winter, a heating system is in order. While a sub-floor heating system is a good option for keeping things warm, a fireplace adds a nice aesthetic touch.
A sunroom can add value and beauty to your home, but more importantly, it can be an invaluable gathering place for your entire family. Make it a space worthy of the ones you love!
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