Sunrooms and Patio Rooms

Construction Materials and Methods for Sunrooms

Foundation

Different regions, depending on the climate, have different regulations regarding foundations. In areas where the temperature reaches freezing and below, at least three feet is required so that the contraction of the soil during freezing doesn’t cause a building to shift. Depending on the grade or flatness of your yard, you can choose from a slab foundation or one with many supports.

Roofs

Unless your sunroom is all glass, standard roofing conventions apply. Skylight openings can be put in easily, constructed from safety glass and using other precautions that guard against injury in case of falling glass.

Walls

The walls of a sunroom, by nature, will be made mostly out of glass. Your choices for the framing of your windows are many. PVC is one of them. It is an excellent insulator and requires very little maintenance. It is durable and doesn’t damage very easily. It is available in many colors and can be fashioned to resemble wood. Wood is a good choice if you would like a somewhat authentic look. It does require maintenance such as paint and stains. Otherwise, damage and wear could occur. Aluminum is very much like PVC. However, it is more expensive and not quite as good an insulator; it is very strong.

Windows

Windows are the most important part of any sunroom. They create its feel and are its basic purpose for existing. There are innumerable options for windows, including size, style, and shape. You can try something totally radical, or you can follow the pattern of your home. It is up to you to find the best windows that work for you vision of a sunroom.

Types of Windows

Wood: wooden windows are good insulators and energy efficient. They can be expensive and are easily custom built. They will require care in the form of painting and refinishing.
Vinyl: vinyl is the most energy efficient type of window. They are relatively inexpensive and come in a variety of colors. They require little to no maintenance.
Aluminum: these windows are not as good insulators as other types. They also require little maintenance and are relatively inexpensive.
Clad: clad windows are energy efficient wood frames with vinyl and aluminum for durability and less maintenance. The cost of clad windows is moderate.

Window Options

There are many different options you have for the glass in the windows of your sunroom. Triple-Paned Glazings use three panes of glass. This creates two layers of air that create excellent insulation within them. Argon-Filled Windows have had argon or another inert gas placed in between the panes of a standard window. The thermal conductivity of inert gases makes them excellent insulators as well. Low-Emission Glass (Low-E Glass) are coated with layers of metal so that ultraviolet rays as well as heat and light can be controlled. They can be configured to either keep heat out during the summer months or allow heat to enter in the wintertime. Safety glass is a requirement for all skylights, be it tempered, laminated or wire glass.

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