Spring Into a New Sunroom For Less Than You Think

Imagine an area of your home that is as close to outside you can get, has plenty of sunlight, and an airy temperature, only without the mosquitoes and weather to contend with. These enclosed areas, also known as sunrooms, can be added to the plans of most homes, and dont have to cost a fortune. Many homeowners see a sunroom as an investment to use as a home office, playroom, or seating area to relax in. Prices of sunrooms depend on how the sunroom will be used, how much exposure to sunlight vs. shade it gets, the size of the sunroom, and the various options like number of doors, number of windows, and type of glass. Take a look at the different types of sunrooms available.

Seasonal Sunrooms Single pane glass windows, screens full length or starting 2 or 3 feet up the wall after a knee-wall and natural ventilation categorize this type of sunroom. Usually not air conditioned or heated, the room can be used year round in temperate climates and spring to fall in parts of the country with cold winters.

Screened room or screened porch Economical for people who plan to just use their sunrooms in the spring, fall and summer, this can be a great way to get more use out of your patio and deck. The screen panels let in fresh air, but keep insects away. Usually can only be used during summer and when its warmer in the fall and spring.

Conservatories and Solariums These sunrooms consist of insulated glass and may be used year round as long as local building codes are followed because they can be heated or air conditioned. Typically, built with a curve or straight eave roof, these rooms may have full-length glass or include a knee-wall.

Other Decisions For Homeowners To Make That Determine Cost

• Do I want to use an existing space for the sunroom or add an extra space to my home?

Building another space instead of using an existing space like a patio or a deck will be costlier. However, homeowners may simply prefer adding an extra space to their home instead of using an existing space.

• Do I want a partial glass room or a full glass room?

Sunrooms can contain varying amounts of glass. Some sunrooms may be made almost entirely of glass, whereas others may have roofs and regular walls that start at the floor and go up the wall 2 or 3 feet before the windows begin. Deciding on a partial or full glass room depends on what look you prefer, what you want to get out of the room, as well as the architecture and code specifications of the building.

• When do I plan to use my sunroom?

Three season sunrooms are great if you just want to use your sunroom in the warmer seasons and keep out bugs, wind and rain. On the other hand, four season sunrooms provide a comfortable temperature all the time from the hottest summer afternoon to the coldest winter night with their insulated ceilings, walls and glass windows. In most parts of the country, where the seasons change, only the four season sunroom is capable of providing an enjoyable atmosphere during colder temperatures.

• What type of wall structure for my sunroom do I prefer? Wall structures can be made of wood, aluminum, clad or vinyl / PVC.

-Wood: Prone to rotting and needs regular maintenance but many people like the look it provides to a sunroom and its energy-efficient qualities. Most expensive to use.

-Aluminum: Good for structural support but not for insulation. Little maintenance needed. Second cheapest behind vinyl / PVC.

-Clad: Little maintenance needed and energy efficient. Moderate price.

-Vinyl / PVC: Little maintenance needed. Most have internal support of steel or aluminum. Inexpensive and good at insulating.

• Where should my sunroom be located? It really depends on what you want to use it for but here are the best locations for the area of the country you live in and for when you want to use it:

-Northern Exposure: Will be shaded most of the day, which is good if you live in the South. Homeowners living further north may need a heating system.

-Eastern Exposure: Provides sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. Perfect for early birds who plan on using their sunrooms to eat breakfast or exercise in.

-Western Exposure: Can provide harsh afternoon sun exposure so is best for the sunset views and those using their sunrooms in the evenings.

-Southern Exposure: Location that allows the most sunlight in, great for northerners but those living in the south may find they need a cooling system.

Many homeowners choose other amenities to add to their sunrooms like a ceiling fan, fireplace, blinds, and skylights if the roof is solid and not all glass. Costs, not including labor and installation, start at about $5,000 for a screened room, $10,000 for a seasonal sunroom and $15,000 for a conservatory. Prices can go up to $30,000+ depending on types of windows, wall structure, and other factors. Keep in mind, however, that sunrooms rarely depreciate in value over time and add greatly to a homes appeal.

All Around the Home (http://www.allaroundthehome.com) is a national home improvement contractor directory. Homeowners can find established, quality contractors such as sunroom contractors with experience in planning and building sunrooms.