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What Kind of Sunroom
Should You Get?
There
are five basic sunroom designs, and each design is named
for its roof, which is the main point of difference
between them all. A
sunroom makes an ideal addition to practically any
home. It is always pleasant to sit in an air-conditioned
room, with light pouring in on all sides - but not too
brightly - and a view of grass, garden, or trees, but
free of the oppressive heat or annoying insects that can
sometimes ruin a perfect day.
There are roughly five kinds of sunrooms, and what
differentiates them is the type of roof that they have.
Your 'average' sunroom consists of window glass all
around, of course, all of the same size, and a flat
roof, usually of some opaque material so that the sun is
not actually visible through the roof.
The 'Cathedral' sunroom is one in which the
ceiling is vaulted. This makes the room appear very
large, and allows for design features like front
trapezoid transoms to really enhance the look of the
room from both inside and out. A vaulted ceiling also
helps in preventing the build-up of rain or snow.
The 'split-level' sunroom, or California, as it
is also known, has a roof that is somewhat staggered.
One half of it slopes upward, the other half slopes up
to meet it at not quite as sharp an angle, and glass
panels bridge the distance between the two. This allows
more light to enter the sunroom and of course gives the
sunroom a striking look.
The 'solarium' is a room in which both the walls
and ceiling are made of glass, and the roof has a curved
glass eave...which makes it a nice room in which to
watch the stars at night, as well as enjoying the
sunlight during the day.
Finally, the 'Conservatory' is a room with a rather
old-fashioned, ornate look to its frame, designed in an
Edwardian or Victorian manner, with a glass ceiling as
well.
The frames for the sunroom can be made of any material,
from wood to aluminum to vinyl, but you'll want to get
the best quality possible for your budget. A sunroom
represents a significant investment in your home - the
value of your home will probably go up at your next
assessment, as will your taxes.
Great care must be taken with the glass quality. You
don't want unfiltered sunlight bearing down into your
room. The white glare will make seeing extremely
uncomfortable. You'll want windows that block out most
of the sunlight, as well as the harmful UV rays which
fade furniture. You'll want windows that are insulated
and that can keep both hot and cold weather out...and
warm temperatures in.
What To Look For In Sunroom Design
There are quite a few companies on the web who have
galleries of their sunrooms. Take a look at these. Do
you have a friend, family member, co-worker or neighbor
who has a sunroom? Talk to them about it. Ask them about
their problems. (And if they haven't owned their sunroom
for a complete four seasons, ask other people who have.)
The type of sunroom you choose will depend on the type
of person you are. If you want a quiet room to retreat
and relax, you'll perhaps want a conservatory. If you
want a room where kids can gather and play, your
'average' sunroom might be the best bet.
Go carefully, do your research, then go out and get a
sunroom.
About
the Author
Andrew Caxton is a syndicated columnist on different
resources like
http://www.allsunrooms.com . You can find more
information and resources on sunroom enclosures at his
website.
If you are looking for a sunroom contractor in
Colorado Springs, please click on the link below
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