Before adding or building a sunroom to enjoy the outdoors year-round, what should I know about sunrooms?
Ask about the cost
This is usually the first, and hardest question to answer because it varies from project to project. There are many things that contribute to the pricing: the square footage, where it’s being built, and the type of sunroom all influence the price. For the sake of simplicity, most sunroom ballpark pricing starts at $30k. However, I have seen sunrooms that were built for as little as $17,000, so it pays to get five bids.
Ask about the electrical raceways
You don’t want conduit that looks as if it was added as an afterthought distracting from the sunroom’s décor. Be sure the sunroom has electrical raceways that meet national codes for approved wiring systems.
Ask about screens
You want sunroom screens that have structural integrity and provide maximum visibility without a glare. Look for screens made of nearly-invisible, black-painted aluminum mesh instead of traditional fiberglass screens. Aluminum mesh resists sagging and stays cleaner longer than fiberglass screens.
Ask about temperature controls
How do we control the environment? Most sunrooms are built without heating and air conditioning systems. But it’s still nice to be able to cool down with a ceiling fan if the air gets too stifling and to warm up with a fireplace on chilly nights.
Ask about building permits
Adding a sunroom is really no different than any other addition you’d be planning for your home. You’re essentially increasing the footprint of your home with livable space by adding to the existing structure, so a permit is required. Be wary of someone who says differently.
Ask about glass options
Is the glass tempered for safety? What is the difference between single-pane, the most widely used and gives you the most heat-gain; Double-pane insulated which blocks UV rays 44% more effectively than ordinary glass; or Comfort-Gard®, the most advanced glass available. This glass keeps you warmer in the winter and reduces your cooling costs by as much as 25% in the summer, due to the low-e coating and argon insulating gas.
Ask about sunroom furniture.
With comfortable indoor wicker chairs along with other furnishings and beautiful decoration accents, your sunroom could end up being the most-used area in your home.
The most crucial thing you must think about when choosing the furniture is its ability to endure extreme conditions. It’ll receive far more sunlight than in any other room.
Your sunroom furniture can mimic the style of wood furniture throughout your house, or you can choose to furnish your sunroom with indoor wicker furniture that stands up to the sunlight wonderfully. You can choose all sorts of beautiful fabrics that are made to be as resilient and resistant. There is also outdoor wicker furniture that can be used outside.
Ask about floor coverings
Floor covering in sunrooms usually includes concrete, wood, tile or brick. Rugs include texture and design to set off areas within a big sunroom. Complex flooring styles, such as mosaic tile or brick patterns, are best left exposed.
Ask about plants
What kind of plants grow best in a sunroom? You will find that plants like Hibiscus, Orchids, Passion Flowers, Boston Ferns, Spider Plants, Begonias, African Violets, and Peace Lilies thrive in sunrooms. You can even grow many types of vegetables.