What Is a Sunroom?
The term sunroom can mean slightly different things to different people. By definition, a sunroom is an enclosed room or porch specifically created to allow as much sunlight in as possible. Sunrooms have lots of glass or synthetic window materials — many include floor-to-ceiling windows and glass roofs. When people refer to a sunroom, many times they use the terms conservatory, greenhouse, sundeck, sun lounge, sun porch and solarium as synonyms although builders define these terms more specifically.
Plans for sunrooms can be part of a home's original architectural design, but in recent years, the sunroom has also become a popular addition to any house. Unlike the average greenhouse which is usually a stand-alone entity, the sunroom is typically attached to the home. With the advent of prefabricated sunrooms, most homes today can add a sunroom that will be enjoyable, economical, sturdy, energy efficient and increase the value of your home. Prefab sunroom construction has improved vastly through the past several decades; new designs and materials bring in the warmth of the sun even in the most northerly climates, and a sunroom addition can be ready to enjoy within weeks.
Normally, sunrooms are constructed of frames of aluminum or decay-resistant woods that hold glass panels. The glazing may be single-pane, but double-paned glass is almost always used because it is most efficient for keeping the extreme heat out in the summer and the chill out during winter.
Besides spending hours in a comfortable indoor garden setting, people who have sunrooms installed will reap another major benefit — energy savings. The natural light emitted into a sunroom can cut down on the need for lights on a dreary winter's day. Sunrooms can also have solar panels installed to capture the sun's money-saving rays and distribute it throughout the rest of the home.
Some people design their sunrooms as basic greenhouses where they can enjoy their gardening hobby year round, while others use their sunrooms as extensions of existing rooms; still others plan their sunrooms to be the hub of the house as the den or family room. Regardless of how you plan to live in your sunroom, the advances in building sunrooms have eliminated some of the problems of the past. Newer materials and construction methods cut down those problems such as heat loss, condensation, and sun damage.
Modern sunrooms are available in a wide range of sizes, styles, colors and shapes and can be custom designed or purchased in kit form for the do-it-yourselfers. The sunrooms with glassed-in ceilings can also provide a spectacular view of the starry sky at night. Proper placement on your property is critical; always build your sunroom in a south solar orientation to reap the most benefits from the sun. Contractors that specialize in sunroom construction are available throughout the country; be sure to seek their advice before planning your new sunroom.
Written by KN
