Four Seasons Sunrooms Add Value To Your Home

Envision your very own place of solace, a private sanctuary where the sun greets you every morning and the moon is your companion in the evening as you relax in the soothing atmosphere of your sun room.  

Welcome to your sun room otherwise known as your solarium, patio enclosure or patio room depending on where you live. It’s that additional room you’ve always wanted that compliments your home with walls of glass…that lets you enjoy streaming sunshine and protects you from elements such as rain, wind and outdoor pests.  

Your sun room addition should complement the architectural design of your home. Adding this outdoor room is a low cost way to add resale value to your home. Not only will you realize an

investment in the future but it is also a way to enjoy added space as you continue to live in your home. By bringing the outdoors in you enjoy the scenery in comfort.  

Typically most sun rooms are four seasons sunrooms or three season rooms meaning you can enjoy them all four seasons of the year. They go a step further than our grandparent’s porches. You can think of sun rooms as their modern day equivalent.  

Centuries ago urban row houses boasted homes with large covered porches which were a comfortable place to socialize and unwind at the end of the day. Over time families began to congregate on back porches instead of the front porches they'd become accustomed to since most homes in those days had huge shade trees to protect you from the sun.  

However one thing that remained constant was the exposure to the relentlessness of the sun and those pesky mosquitoes. Homeowners started demanding screened porches and manufacturers responded one step further with the patio cover concept. With the evolution of glass and window technology homeowners started enclosing the space to effectively use it almost year round.  

Sun rooms now offer functional and fashionable options for the discriminating taste of modern day homeowners. In the mid 1960's remodeling companies offered inexpensive structures and material solutions to enclose decks and patios. They consisted of engineered roof panels, lightweight structures with single pane glass and aluminum construction in addition to vinyl windows and doors. Finally the homeowner could realize an extended version of the covered porch allowing for protection from rain, sun and bugs all while enjoying the additional living space.  

With more and more people becoming energy conscious manufacturers began to design sun rooms that featured insulated glass with four seasons solar products and more sophisticated easy to install designs. In Europe these greenhouses or conservatories have long been popular.  

The best choice for your particular sun room is the one that suits your family and compliments your home. Determining the materials and size of your sun room is dependent on how you plan to use it. A key consideration is the quality of materials. Do your homework to find a contractor that has a reputation for using superior construction materials. Sun rooms are an asset because they add value of your home when constructed properly and tactfully.  

Your next step is to decide on the best location to install your new room. Once you determine the location you then need to choose the size. Having a specific budget in mind will help answer most of the questions.  Sunroom prices can get rather expensive if you don’t decide the purpose of the room first. There are various factors to consider in the placement of your sun room addition. Give higher weigh to factors like sun exposure and property orientations.  

Most homes get more sun exposure in the front than the back of home, although the most popular choice for placement is behind the home. Typically your outdoor room will be used for relaxation or hosting casual dinner parties. As an extension right off your kitchen it is ideal for those purposes.  

Allow for traffic flow in your home when deciding where to locate your sun room. No matter which part of your home you decide on you will enjoy the added benefit of enjoying the outdoors while nesting in your exclusive indoor/outdoor room.  

Some the most popular ways sun rooms are utilized include: 

• Adding extra space to your home
• You Purpose room such as additional work space or studio
• Craft, hobby, solarium or exercise rooms
• Gardening, especially by installing an aluminum glass roof
• Extended family or game rooms 
• Secondary outdoor dining option 
• Enjoy your outdoor gardens from indoors
• Safe playroom for children
• Environmentally friendly for pets and plants 
• White cathedral sun room for specific purposes 
• Free space for entertaining large parties such as birthday or holiday gatherings 

In the end decide whether or not you want to hire a sun room contractor to complete the work yourself.  Make a checklist of questions to ask your contractor before commissioning the work. Discussing your plans with neighbors or others who own a sun room is the best place to start.