What are the different types of Sun rooms?

·          Conservatory

·          Sun Room

·          Greenhouse

·          Solarium

·          Sun Porch

 

Want to add a new dimension to your living space and increase the value of your home? Just any bolt-on addition won't do. Consider a sunspace. Whether it is a conservatory, a solarium, or a sun room, the addition will provide an outdoor living room you can enjoy year round.

Creating a sun room has lots of the same aspects of building a new home; it is a project with many elements of design and many decisions. Climate controls, glazing options, insulation, heat distribution and thermal mass are just a few of the things to consider. For best results, educate yourself before you begin. There are various durable and efficient kits available. They provide an easy answer at a cheaper cost, but an addition to your home investment is no place to skimp. Of course, we all want the best value for our money so design the best possible sunspace you can afford.

Many people find a sun room can double as or replace a family room. Others have used the space for an office, dining room or to accommodate an in-door pool. In any case, a thoughtfully designed and carefully built sunspace will add esthetic appeal and value to your home. It will give you added living space plus a new perspective on enjoying the outdoors.

 

 

 

What are the different types of Sun rooms?

 

Conservatory. An English design, usually octagonal in shape, with a peaked roof that gives a feeling of space.

Sun room. This is a modified greenhouse with a glass roof that has more shading and insulation properties to make it comfortable for people as well as plants.

 

Greenhouse. This uses glass specifically designed for growing plants and may need to be vented to avoid overheating.


Solarium. This room usually has lots of windows and is an extension of the living space, though you can grow plants in it.

Sun porch. This is often a converted porch or three-season room that has been insulated and heated so it is comfortable for living space.

 
The next thing you have to consider is which way the room will face. If the project is a retrofit, what direction will the addition face? North facing has minimum sun exposure and the potential for heat loss. East facing will cool off in the afternoon and evening, while west has the potential for excessive heat. For the maximum use of heat, a south facing room provides all-day exposure. Will trees block the sun during part of the day and could they be removed if they interfere? Answers to these questions will determine the shape, type and number of windows, the roof structure, as well as other materials to be used. Computer software can help establish the appropriate design and the room dimensions.

 

 

 

 

The next thing to decide is appearance. Function is primary, but the feel of a tacked-on addition can be avoided. Think about each angle of your home, including the rooflines. If you can, locate the expansion so that the walls of the present home can serve as one or more walls of the sunspace. Do you want to match the existing house design or add a complementing room like an all-glass conservatory? Professional advice is important at this point in the design phase. Be certain the plan includes adequate venting and the proper number of windows, the proper glass options to maintain the environment you require (seasonal or year-round), and a roof that will not result in a dark room. A small detail at this stage could result in a huge impact later.

A designer will have suggestions and advice, but the best plan depends on you. By answering a few questions before your first meeting, you will maximize opportunity for the proper design and installation. What do you want from the sunspace? Is it primarily for living space? Will it have a particular purpose like an office? Will you be growing plants in the space and how many? Is it intended to provide supplemental space heating? Will it be a seasonal or year-round room?

Selecting a contractor is the last step. Remember, estimates may vary depending on the material used, the level of expertise with sun room installation, and the quality of work. When you look at estimates, compare equal product to equal product.  You must use a professional to plan and perform this work. You can find one here at the Home Improvement Hotline!