BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Plan a Sunroom

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (0 Ratings)

Sunrooms are replacing traditional screened porches as a home enhancement that can provide hours of "outdoor" enjoyment at a relatively economical cost. Unlike screened porches, sunrooms can be used year-round for a family playroom, exercise room or entertainment center, letting in sunlight and scenery through many windows while keeping out heat and cold. Read on to learn more.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Visit your municipal building department to find out what zoning restrictions, if any, may be involved and what permits may be required. While a sunroom can be an easy way to add more living space, the addition to your square footage could trigger a rise in your property taxes.

Step2

Think about how you are going to use your sunroom. If it's to be a year-round room used for family entertainment, you should consider a heating source such as a gas or electric fireplace. Install adjustable window curtains to let in sunlight or block out drafts.

Step3

Decide how big you want your sunroom to be. A typical sunroom is an enclosure with insulated glass windows. The floor space can measure from 150 to 300 square feet. The room generally has three walls and is attached to the home's kitchen, living room or family room. Roofs are generally aluminum over insulated panels, and the roof designs can be curved, slanted or greenhouse style. Concrete foundations can even be built over existing decks. Supports are customarily made of low-maintenance vinyl.

Step4

Estimate how much you want to spend. Costs of sunrooms vary from $10,000 up depending on the complexity of the style. The cost is considerably less than a conventional addition, and the sunroom can be built in areas where underground conditions might prevent construction of such an addition.

Step5

Find a contractor. Before you consult with the contractor, draw a rough floor plan to visualize placement of furniture as well as location of sunlight and shade at various times of day. Measure all dimensions of your proposed sunroom.