A sunroom is designed to function as additional living area or for housing plants. Decide what role your sunroom will have is a wise step toward making your investment in money and time effectively. Furthermore, you will have a sunroom that is as energy efficient as comfortable to live in as it is beautiful without losing the sight of the great outdoor. Here are some considerations to help you plan your sunroom project.
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Types of Sunroom. Sunroom, also called a solarium or conservatory, is a glass-in living space. Typically, it is attached to the house and has access from indoors. There are variations to sunroom: A four-season room; an attached greenhouse; and a screened room or porch. A four-season room is closely related to sunroom, but it is designed to be heated and cooled. As a result, it can be live-in year round. An attached greenhouse offers light, temperature and humidity level that is designed for happy plants. A greenhouse is perfect for starting seeds, potting plants, storing tender bulbs and fragile containers during winter, and performing other garden duties all year long. A screen room or porch has walls constructed of screen mesh other than glass which offers advantage of fresh air without insects. A porch makes a good choice in warm climate and is the least expensive to build.
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Sun Orientation. In a room with lots of glass, proper orientation to the sun is very important. Glass windows and doors are not as effective as walls for insulation. Glass-in room will heat up quickly and cool down quickly. In the North, the majority of vertical glass should face south or close to it. Solar south may have a different track than compass south. It is a good idea to watch how the sun moves across your house to find the best location for your sunroom, for maximum heat. In the South, a sunroom will stay cooler if most of the vertical glass faces north. In hot climate, avoid large expanses of glass facing east or west.
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Structural Elements. There are three typical materials used for sunroom structural supports: Vinyl, aluminum, and wood. Vinyl is the most popular, cost the least to build, require minimum upkeep, and offers the best in overall strength and insulation. Most vinyl structural supports are “multi walled” meaning they have internal reinforcement of either aluminum or galvanized steel. It is available mainly in white. Aluminum is not as good insulator as vinyl and is usually more expensive. Many sunrooms that use vinyl coated vertical support for look or added insulation have aluminum as the roof structure for added strength. Wood is the most expensive choice for structural material and requires periodic maintenance.
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Glass Walls or Polycarbonate Components. Glass walls should be silicone double-sealed; A rated, and labeled “tempered safety” to meet building code requirements. Look for the U-value of the glass or polycarbonate (a tough, transparent thermoplastic). The U value measure how much heat the material conducts. The lower the number the less heat pass through, so choose the lowest possible U value for the most energy efficient space. Find double-glazed glass with argon (an inert gas) filling and low E coating ( low E glazing uses an imperceptibly thin metallic film or coating between two glass panes that helps the glass selectively reflect heat and ultraviolet rays). The double-glazed glass with argon and low E coating further reduce the U value to about 1.48. The best options for polycarbonate components are 20-millimeter and 25-millimeter twin-wall polycarbonate, for strength, even for the roof, and better insulation property. Their U value is 1.6.
Consult with a knowledgeable local contractor, architect, or engineer to help you build your sunroom, a living space that connects you with the outdoors. By carefully considering how you are going to use the room and planning it accordingly you will get the most enjoyment out of your sunroom. |
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