Wednesday 30 November 2011

The Four-season Model Sunroom Packages For You To Install

It is rather easy these days for homeowners to build their own sunrooms, due to the use of modular components, but should a homeowner build their own sunroom or hire a contractor to build it for them?

You decided to build your sunroom and have checked with your neighborhood association about the building codes and zoning laws in your area, and have been cleared to start your project. This step could be very beneficial to you in so many way, the more informed you are the better off you stand when it comes time to begin the construction of your new sunroom.


There are several companies that specialize in the design and construction of sunrooms, and do-it-yourself kits. These kits which are the least expensive way to build your new sunroom, come already pre built in a modular type fashion, these kits are also massed produced, which doesn’t mean you can not alter it in any way, customization of your sunroom kit may increase the cost of the sunroom. When searching to purchase a sunroom kit you are going to want to provide the manufacturer you are dealing with as much information as possible. You want to be able to get the most accurate quote available to you so you are not spending any more money then you have allotted in your budget. The ways to provide the manufacturer with this information is to take accurate measurements, which is the most important part of ordering your sunroom kit. What type of materials are you looking for; there are different types of quality when choosing building material take this in consideration, especially if you are working on a budget. What type of windows would you like to have in your sunroom? What type of roof would you like on your sunroom? Every aspect of your sunroom is important to you and your

Contractor, they will be more than happy to assist you in any means necessary. Explore a variety of manufacturers so you can compare quotes, it is usually common to check with two or three different contractors to get a general idea what price range you are looking at, when you go o purchase your
sunroom kit. Another good source of information is located on the web; you can search different manufacturers and check to see if there is a showroom close to where you live, so you can begin planning your new sunroom. Once everything is completed and you have placed your order with all your customizations, your new sunroom kit will be mailed to your home ready to be built with full instructions and all your customization done prior to shipping. It is important that once you receive your sunroom kit in the mail to check for complete accuracy of materials before you begin construction. It will be easier to call the company and get them to ship you your missing pieces, then to be half way through your construction and realize that not everything that you ordered was shipped. This may cause problems in construction and time trying to wait for arrival of the missing material.

There are also several other manufacturers available to choose from so do your research and find the one that is right for you, remember to research the web, your local paper, and speak with a few people that your or one of your friends or family members know that have recently built an addition to their home you will be surprised how much information you will obtain from just taking time to plan and research before you get this projected started, and by the time you are finished you might even be a subject matter expert on
sunroom additions.

Wednesday 16 November 2011

Natural Sunlight And The Sunroom Enclosure: What You Need To Know

Your home is your most important investment, and a sunroom can be the most important addition to your investment. Give a thought to what you need to ensure that you'll be able to enjoy your sunroom as you expect.Your home is one of the most important investment you will make in your life. It can also be one of the most expensive investments you'll make. If you decide that you need more room and would like to add an addition to your home, you have several choices. You can add an additional room built in the same manner as the original architecture of the house, or you can add on a new and elegant sunroom.

There are many reasons to choose the sunroom. With a room with walls of glass, you'll be able to see out unfettered to enjoy every bit of your back garden, your trees, birds and squirrels, or your children busily playing. You won't have to be concerned with the oppressive heat of the day, unpleasant gusts of wind should the day be a cool one, or the ever-present insects that can spoil the most beautiful of days.


Natural
sunlight. That's what you get from a room with walls of glass...you won't need to bother with the harsh lights of a lightbulb if you don't feel the need. But you don't want sunlight to come pouring into the room without hindrance - you'll find yourself squinting or feeling the need for sunglasses. However, with the proper type of glass, much of the light given off by the sun can be filtered out, so there'll be no annoying glare to spoil your pleasure of the room.

A room with walls of glass need to be insulated just as do walls of wood or brick. Most sunroom companies offer their own trademarked glass - they have engineers who spend their time trying to design the most efficient glass possible.


What do you need in glass for a sunroom?


You have to consider the R-Value. This measures the thermal resistance of a material, or how easily heat travels through it. The higher the R-Value, the greater the insulation - and the lower your energy cost swill be. An R-Value of 4.0 is suggested for the very best comfort.


Give a thought to the percentage of visible light transmitted through the glass. A visible light transmittance below 60 percent is is recommended for that glare-free natural lighting, as I mentioned above


And then there's the heat of the sun. Relative Heat Gain measures the heat gained through a glazing, and, indeed, can be more important to a glass room than the R-Value. You don't want a room that will be unbearably hot or expensive to keep cool. With a type of glass that doesn't gain a lot of heat, you'll ensure that that won't be the case.

In these days, it's possible to build a sunroom in anything from a few days to a week or so. And although sunrooms are pricey - you simply must not skimp on quality - they can be less expensive than traditional brick and mortar extensions.

DIY Sunroom Kits


If you'd like to have a sunroom but you don't want to have to pay a contractor to build it for you, you can always do it yourself. Most manufacturers offer do-it-yourself kits so that the handy home owner can be in charge of its construction from the beginning. You'll want to carefully gauge your skills and stick-to-it-tiveness if you choose this route. The addition of a sunroom can increase the value of your home, but only if it is built correctly. But if you have the necessary skills, you can indeed do it yourself.

The skills needed may vary. If you're going to build your sunroom onto a pre-existing deck or porch, you won't need as many skills as you would if you were going to build an entire room from scratch - necessitating the grading and preparation of a concrete slab on which to put the new structure. And if you intend to extend your home's heating and cooling system into the new room, that calls for another set of skills.


Sunroom Indoor Furniture


There's a vast array of furniture for the sunroom. Even though a great deal of harmful sunlight will be blocked out, you'll still want to go with furniture with removable cushions, so that you can replace any that fade. Wicker is the traditional furniture for the sunroom, but there's nothing to say you can't use elegant metals or wood. The addition of green plants and an aquarium or two will certainly add an elegant touch.

Most people use their sunroom as a family room, or a place for solitude and reflection. But some people like to experiment and put their kitchen into a sunroom, or their bedroom and even their bathroom. Those are something to think about, but with the complexities of the glass and the designs of the room, you might want to just stick with the tradition uses of a room with walls of glass.