Sunrooms: How a Sunroom Can Add to Your Home

Ever wish you could have a cup of coffee in the morning while sitting outdoors, taking in the morning sun in view of the flowers and plants in your backyard? It would probably be a relaxing way to start the day, but unfortunately, actually sitting outdoors can be a bit more complicated than it sounds. It might have rained through the night, drenching your patio furniture or lawn chairs. You might also want to avoid the numerous bugs that will likely be flying around. And the temperature and humidity may or may not be cooperative depending on the weather. Long story short -- while outdoor surroundings offer a calm, soothing, serene environment for you to relax, physically being outdoors might not be so enjoyable.

Fortunately, there is a way to enjoy the scenery of your outdoor landscape while still enjoying the comfort and consistency of the indoors; a sunroom. This structure is often built on to the side of a home, and allows the homeowner and family members to enjoy the surrounding landscape without having to deal with the elements, such as wind, rain, and snow. A sunroom is usually constructed of brick or wood, and has a fair amount of glass panels that allow more light into the room and add to the feeling that one is actually sitting outdoors. These rooms are not only great for a relaxing time in the morning or evening, they're also great for parties, cookouts -- especially in the summer, when bugs are at their worst -- and game nights. A sunroom is a very versatile room, and can add a lot to your quality of life by giving you extra options for entertaining.

Another way that a sunroom can add to your home is through resale value. Some home buyers will view a sunroom as an added bonus with searching for their new home, and may increase the amount they're willing to pay for the home accordingly. When constructing a sunroom for your home, you can take comfort in knowing that you can enjoy it for as long as you own the home and likely make some of your money back on that investment later.

If you're looking for a comfortable way to enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about the weather or what kind of critters are flying around your landscape, a sunroom is a great way to do that. And, if you're looking to add something to your home that could help its resale value later, a sunroom is probably a great choice.

Managing Labor and Material Costs of a Sunroom

There are two major factors which contribute in the prices of sunroom one is cost of materials and the other is the cost of labor. Combining these two costs might show a big figure but spending this amount is obviously worthy. Constructing a sunroom in front of your house can increase the beauty of your house and if the area of sunroom is bigger then the beauty of your house increases to a great extent. The cost of building a sunroom is much less than the cost of a building a traditional house that is what attracts more homemakers to build sunrooms. The beauty of sunroom is also more than a traditional room made of mortar and bricks. The shiny glass and windows used in construction of the sunroom helps to attract people at the first sight.

It takes months to build a house made of bricks and it is also difficult to construct and manage. The sunroom is comparatively easy to construct and is constructed in not more than 2 weeks time.

Normally, constructing a sunroom can take not more than a few weeks.

But as the sunroom is constructed you can get lured by the looks of sunroom and ignore the costs of building it. The internal environment of the sunroom gives you a natural feeling, you feel like you are somewhere at your ideal place and taking sunbath. In order to construct a sunroom you need to consider the quality and the cost of the material. If you want your sunroom to be an ideal place for you, you don't have to compromise on the quality of the material used. The first thing you need to do before constructing a sunroom is to make a budget plan according to the prices of the sunroom You should look for the material and labor costs so that you don't have difficulty or budget constraints at the mid of the construction. There isn't any fixed cost for the sunroom but a good quality sunroom with a particular size costs almost similar to everyone. The cost can be variable if the size of the sunroom varies. Material used for construction, drainage, ventilation, style and design can also vary in the cost because of its quality.

If you have budget constraints then you need not to compromise on the quality of the material but on the labor cost. There are sunrooms available which can be fixed by an individual on a do-it-yourself basis. This will cut the labor cost and is the best way to reduce the price of a sunroom There are many do-it-yourself sunroom kits available at the showrooms of leading companies. All you need to do is to choose a design for the sunroom and purchase the material. The flooring system can also contribute in the reduction of the total costs you can purchase a low quality flooring system but this is not the best way. The material used for roof and flooring should be according to the climate and the terrain of your region, otherwise you can suffer during the weather fluctuations.

Four Seasons Sunrooms-Skill and Dedication To Detail Needed

Once you've decided that you'd like to add a sunroom to your home, and ascertained that you can do so as far as the zoning laws of your community are concerned, you'll have to decide if you want to build the sunroom yourself, or if you'll hire a contractor to do it.

Many companies provide do-it-yourself sunroom kits. They have a number of standard sizes and types already pre-built in modular fashion. These do-it-yourself kits are the most inexpensive option of sunroom, because they are mass-produced. The manufacturers are th us able to pass along the savings to their customers.

Just because the kit is mass-produced, it doesn't mean that you won't be able to alter it in any way, although of course making customized requests on certain material will increase the overall price of the sunroom.

Before you purchase your sunroom kit, you'll have to ask the manufacturers a few questions, and provide them with as much information, so that you might get as accurate a quote as possible . You'll want to compare quotes before you decide on which kit to order.

Conducting proper measurements is perhaps the most important process preparatory to ordering your sunroom. If you give the contractors the wrong dimensions, and thus get the wrong material, and put it up and then find that it's not right, it is you who will be out of pocket. So always follow the old adage: measure twice to cut once.

What materials will you want for the frame? A variety of qualities will be available, from the good to the best. Considering how important an investment your home is, chances are you'll want only the best, but if you have to work within a budget there are issues to consider.

What type of windows do you desire? If you're going with an unusual roof - such as the cathedral style or split-level California style, the cost of at least a few of the windows will be that much more than the majority of them. Do you want to be able to open any of these windows, and if so, how many? That also will affect the price.

Apart from the window frame - wood, aluminum or vinyl, the type of glass is important also. Glass comes in all sorts of qualities and glazes, to ensure that just enough light enters the room but not too much, that warm air is allowed in and cold air kept out, and so on. If a high wind has a tendency to blow around the corner of your house you don't want windows that are going to rattle all the time. If it rains a great deal, or even if it rains at all, you don't want windows that will allow leaks around the frame. You'll want windows designed securely so that someone with a screwdriver can't come along and pry them out of the frame.

Sunroom manufacturers will be more than happy to answer your questions on the best materials for your particular sunroom - but it's always a good idea to talk with two or three manufacturers so you can compare the vast range of information given.

Another helpful tool are the websites of these manufacturers. Quite often they'll have the lists of specifications for their glass and their frames, and even design pages to show you what can be done.

Finally, the end result, the kit based on the design you created, will be shipped to your home. The plans needed to built the room, complete with your customizations, will include as well.

Do It Yourself Dangers

Have you ever purchased an intricate model of a ship or a car, intent on building it yourself. Have you worked on the project for all of an hour before deciding that the level of work needed - the care, the precision, the attention to detail - is simply not you?

Believe it or not, many people with no experience in building anything of any kind, believe that they will be able to build their sunroom addition with no problems, and simply with the help of a few friends. Well, if you're a great one for attention to detail, this is perhaps true.

But think about this carefully before you begin the process. You are adding on a room that is costing you a minimum of ten thousand dollars, it's going to affect the tax value of your home, it's going to affect the re-sale value. Do you really have the skill to know that the foundation has been properly poured and will withstand the weight of the new structure? Do you have the skill to ensure that all wiring is done up to code? Do you have the tools necessary to do the job in a professional manner? Perhaps most importantly, if something happens and you or one of your friends get hurt on the job, do you have insurance to cover it?

Designing The Sunroom - Find A Floor That Retains Heat

Converting extra outdoor space into a sunroom adds a characteristic touch to your home and helps increase your home's overall energy efficiency. A form of passive solar heating, sun rooms are designed to absorb solar warmth during the day and distribute that warmth throughout the house at night. The heat collected in sun rooms can flow to the rest of the house via entryways and connective air flows. Because sunroom flooring is often installed over old concrete slabs or preexisting decks, it's best to consult with a certified flooring contractor to avoid issues with unevenness, peeling, or cracking.

When it comes to deciding on a sunroom floor, a number of options are available. Prerequisites for your potential sunroom floor include the ability to withstand many hours of direct or indirect sunlight and extremes in temperature. Because water, dirt, and mud can be tracked indoors through the sunroom, the flooring should endure moisture and be easy to clean.

The most popular flooring choices in the sunroom are tile, hardwood, and laminate floors. Use wood flooring that can easily be used outside. Fading and drying are important considerations with wood and all other types of flooring. Prior to making your decision, consider how a glass roof will affect your floor and decide whether or not your windows will include UV protection. This can affect how quickly carpet will fade and wood will dry.

Like wood, tile can be used quite readily. Dark colored tiles will absorb heat during the day and give it off in the evening. Tile can also resist moisture well and is easy to clean. When installing tile, plywood is generally used as a base to provide support and prevent cracking. Other flooring options, such as brick, stone, or concrete, can increase the thermal mass in the sunroom and improve energy efficiency.

Laminate flooring can imitate the appearance of wood or tile, handle lots traffic, and is easy to clean after spilling or staining. Laminate flooring is increasing in popularity in sunrooms because of its affordability, durability, and ease of maintenance.

While carpeting is another popular choice in the sunroom, one drawback is that it can get dirty easily. However, it installs over existing decks and concrete slabs with relative ease. It is also affordable and for the most part, can withstand the effects of the sun.

If you want to explore alternate flooring options, bamboo and cork are increasing in popularity and have environmental benefits.

The Truth About Sunroom Decorating

Sunroom decorating sounds like an easy task, but if not done properly, it can mar the whole beauty of the sunroom. Thus, it is essential to give due attention to the type of furniture your sunroom need, the color you need to splash it with, the ventilating style of doors and windows and the overall look and feel of the room. Two sunroom built in the same way may not look alike due to the sunroom décor items and colors used. Moreover, while decorating sunrooms, you must keep in mind the style of the room.

It can be designed in a number of ways including Straight, Curved, Cathedral and Conservatory. You can decorate the Straight sunrooms properly to convert it into a patio room with wooden beams and aluminum exterior and interior finish. You can even clad it with vinyl to lend it a wood like finish on the exterior. If the inside structure is made of wood, it is best to decorate the room with Wicker and Rattan furniture items to lend a natural touch to the room. These furniture items, made out of plant fibers, are stained to match the color of any room and make it look beautiful. The first place you can start decorating from is the porch. You can decorate it with vintage tables and cushions, mosaic items like vase and cans, bird tea cups, small fountains, racks for placing decorative items, colorful carpets, and flowers. You can add padded cubes having bright colored designed or plain fabric to match the color of the room.

You can even decorate the sunrooms with appropriate wallpaper designs. According to the style and structure of the sunroom, you can select from a range of wall covers. They are available in shades of crème, gold, wood, white, grey, blue, and many more colors. You can even select wallpapers that appear like tiles, mosaic, rubber, wood, and metal. You can opt from a range of wallpapers that have various patterns drawn inside including leaves, flowers, dots, diamonds and more.

Sunroom decorating Idea

You build sunrooms to serve different purposes. If it is built to serve the purpose of an attic or a dormer, you have to consider placing soft cushions, exercise equipments, music system, and colorful rugs, pots of flowers and soothing color and wall hangings. When you are using the sunroom as a bathroom to get the fell of a spa, you can use a tub beside the glass, warm carpets, potted plants on the edges, aromatic candles on sides, racks and closed shelves to store the towels and bath items. If you are using it as your bedroom, you can place a master bed, the size of which will be according to the size of the room. Surround the bed with soft carpet, cushions, plants, wall hangings.

Make use of light color to paint the room and use soft lights to create the perfect environment for relaxation. Select lighter shades not only makes the sunroom appear big, but also enhances the energy efficiency of the room. This controls the room temperature and keeps the sunroom cool during summer months and warm during winters. Moreover, the amount of ray filtering inside the sunroom need to be neutralized by placing some aquatic elements. You can place small fountains of water or an aquarium containing gold fish and duckweeds. The fountain will created a musical sound and also increases the energy efficiency of the room. If the sunroom has a mat finish, you can make use of Wicker and Rattan furniture items to lend an earthy look to the room.

If your sunroom is your study or den, you can decorate it with soft colors and rows of hidden or exposed shelves, with soft cushions, lamp stand, rocking chairs and picture frames. If it is your dining room, you need not worry about placement of tables as the outdoor environment will be visible from all angles. Place a center table made of wood and surround it by similar looking chairs.

The furniture items can be made from wood or wrought iron according to the style and design of the sunroom. If you are using the sunroom as your kitchen, you can place a small table facing the glass for chopping and cooking purposes. Place drawers beside the table and decorate the walls beside it with racks of shelves for placing the oven and the cutleries. Make use of embedded lights focusing on the table and decorate the room with plants.

Sunroom DIY Decoration

If you are opting for sunroom diy (do-it-yourself) kits, then you need not worry of employing a contractor to decorate the room. You have free reign to buy and place the furniture items yourself according to your own taste. But, before doing so, give a thought to the budget. decorating the room is important, so is keeping track of your budget, thus, before you go shopping for sunroom décor, you need to first strike the perfect balance between budget and your need. A perfectly decorated sunroom provides the ideal place to relax and enjoy outside landscape with your family members.

Sunroom Ideas - Let the Sunshine In!

Sunrooms are as popular as ever which makes for a multitude of sunroom ideas. Not to be confused with a four season room, sunroom designs rely on the sun for warmth and they lack air conditioning as a general rule. Like any room addition, sunrooms can be as simple or elegant as finances allow. Our sunroom ideas may offer options you had not previously considered.

Sunroom Designs

Sunrooms can be custom-built or purchased as prefabricated sunrooms. Either way, you will want to choose a sunroom design that blends in with the architecture of your home. Options range from traditional designs that use a shed-type roof (usually the least expensive), cathedrals that have a gable-style roof, split-roof designs for a more contemporary look and a dramatic roof line, to curved designs with curved glass roofs.

Windows for sunrooms

Since sunrooms are all about the glass, choose windows for a sunroom that have a high R-value, are tempered for safety, have draft-proof seals, and have the American Architectural Manufacturers Association approval. Triple pane low e-glass windows are perhaps the best windows for sunrooms and will provide the best energy efficiencies. However, double pane windows that are argon-filled will provide substantial energy efficiency as well. Single pane windows are the most economical but least energy-efficient.

Another window option is single solex glass which is tinted green and designed to minimize heat absorption into the room. Solex glass reflects ultraviolet rays to protect skin, furnishings, and floor coverings. It is more expensive than other glass types.

Window Treatments

Window treatments for sunrooms are much like those for any room in your home. Plantation shutters are a popular option as are sunroom blinds. Wood blinds are very popular and are available as real wood or as faux wood which look great and are less expensive. Aluminum blinds are also less expensive and the no holes option is recommended for better light control.

Don't forget about shades. These are ideal no matter your window design. Coolaroo shades block 90% of harmful UV rays yet allow air flow to reduce inside temperatures. These are perfect for porches too! Roman shades are sophisticated and elegant while simultaneously being sleek and very functional. Cordless top up bottom down shades allow you to raise or lower them from the bottom or from the top. You have the option of privacy without losing sunlight or your view! Silhouette window shades suspend fabric vanes between two sheers creating an exquisite lighting effect in your room.

Sunroom Flooring

There are several sunroom ideas for sunroom flooring. Choose from the least expensive, yet beautiful, vinyl products. You can mix and match vinyl to create a unique yet very functional look. Wood is a favorite for sunrooms as is stone or brick. Interlocking deck tiles come in a wide variety of colors and styles, can be positioned on top of almost any surface, and look fantastic. There are also modular tile floor systems for the do-it-yourself enthusiasts. Carpet is another option along with outdoor area rugs.

Decorating with Plants

For sunroom décor, consider using your wonderful space for plants. They tend to thrive in sunroom environments. Plants like abutilon, allamanda, and dianthus are all good plant varieties and will give you space color and fragrance. Mix flowering plants with greenery and you can create an oasis of foliage.

Electrical Needs

Lastly, consider other factors like your electrical and lighting needs. Plan for additional outlets along all interior and exterior walls, in your ceiling for holiday lighting, and perhaps a few in the floor placed strategically for popcorn machines or arcade-type games. Use hanging lights, chandeliers, and spots throughout your sunroom as needed. And don't forget the ceiling fans - a must on those hot summer days.

These are but a few sunroom ideas to ponder. Sunrooms are fun spaces not matter if using them as family rooms or a quiet respite from a hectic day. Sunrooms - capture the sun and have some fun!

Sunrooms: A Top Summer Home Improvement Project

Drive around any neighborhood in your hometown and chances are good you’ll see work trucks in your neighbors’ yards. With the kids home from school and life at a more casual pace, summer is one of the most popular times of year to take on a home improvement project.

According to Remodeling Magazine, during the summer months, the most popular projects are those that expand and enhance living space. Looking for a project that will achieve both objectives? How about adding on a sunroom?

“A sunroom offers a unique experience in your home. It allows you to enjoy all the positive aspects of your backyard – the flowers, trees, birds and other wildlife – without having to deal with the negatives such as rain, bugs and heat,” says Brian Pitman, spokesman for the National Sunroom Association (NSA).

Over the years, people’s perception of what constitutes a sunroom have changed dramatically. They’ve gone from being simple screen or glass enclosures to grand rooms that add living space and enhance the architectural design of a home.

The variety of what’s available today is evident in the results of the NSA’s 4th annual design awards competition. A panel consisting of judges from the architecture/interior design field chose six winners from a pool of nearly 100 entries. Sunrooms were categorized by the type of roof they had – glazed or opaque, and how much they cost to construct: less than $15,000, $15,000 to $30,000 and $30,000 and over.

“We are very pleased with the quality of entries we received this year,” said Pitman. "The winners represent the very best in sunroom design."

Roger Foote, a do-it-yourselfer from Minnesota won the Glazed Roof Sunroom Less than $15,000 category. He put a do-it-yourself kit up on an existing deck. “The do-it-yourself kit we used was wonderful," says Foote. "We used the sunporch at Christmas and put our Christmas tree out here. It has actually been a godsend. This is our place where we come and relax."

Bob and Judy Culli of Sullivan, Ill., winners of the Opaque Roof Sunroom $30,000 and Over, consider their sunroom a godsend too. "I had always wanted a back porch," explains Judy, "but we didn't get a back porch when we built the house. With allergies during the springtime, I figured an all-season room would be nice."

The Culli’s sunroom features windows all around, wood paneling inside and a cathedral ceiling roof, also with paneling. Outside, it is fully finished with siding, and has a backdoor leading inside.

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.