A Few Factors to Consider for Creating a Great Sunroom

Posted: May 30, 2013
Author: Eden Construction

Adding a sunroom to your home doesn’t have to be a big remodeling project. You can even use small rooms or spaces to make a relaxing environment. You must, however, first decide how you’re going to use the sunroom – for example, if you want to have a solarium for plants and install a hot tub, construction requirements will be different than if you are extending your kitchen or living room.

Below are some other factors to consider:

• Location: The sunroom should be oriented so that its main windows face south. Remember, compass south may be a slightly different direction than solar south, so watch how the sun moves across your home. Start your plans after you’ve established the best location for the sunroom.

• Walls and Roof: A typical solarium or sunroom has glass walls and a glass roof, but circumstances should determine your choice. If the room is going to have a lot of sun exposure, you may want to consider having only glass walls, or partial overhead glass. If the sunroom is an extension of your home, you could consider standard roofing materials such as steel, wood shingles or asphalt tiles, as long as the roof matches the rest of your house.

• Door: A good choice for a sunroom entrance is a sliding door which has one fixed panel and another that glides along the bottom and top tracks. It will let in plenty of light and seal out the weather.

• Windows: Windows with low-E glazing are recommended for a sunroom because they are energy efficient. They also reduce heat transfer through the windows and minimize fading of furnishings caused by UV rays.