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what is a sunroom

by Dr. Terrence Lockman Published 4 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Full Answer

What to consider when buying a sunroom?

  • Four seasons. ...
  • Three seasons. ...
  • Screened-in porches/patios. ...
  • Solarium or glass enclosures: Solariums are quite high-class, with walls and ceilings being made entirely out of glass. ...
  • Framed sunrooms: Framed sunrooms act as a regular addition to your home but provide the addition of natural light through large windows. ...

Does a sunroom add value to a home?

There will be no point where you will regret having added this wonderful addition to your home. Of course, the sunroom also adds monetary value. Buyers will be more interested in your home because of the sunroom and will be willing to pay more for it.

What are the advantages of a sunroom?

  • Daily exposure to sufficient sunlight is known to boost your mental and physical wellbeing. ...
  • It’s a valuable way to increase the value of your home by enhancing your resale value. ...
  • If you are looking for a quiet oasis to inspire your creativity to write or paint, then a sunroom can provide you with the much-needed extra space.

More items...

What exactly is the definition of a sunroom?

Define sunroom. sunroom synonyms, sunroom pronunciation, sunroom translation, English dictionary definition of sunroom. n. A room or an enclosed porch having large windows or transparent walls to admit sunlight.

Whats the purpose of a sunroom?

Sunroom: A sunroom is a room primarily meant for lounging. With glass windows and skylights, sunrooms emulate the feeling of being outside while being indoors. You can grow potted plants and some fruits or vegetables in a sunroom, but this space is still a part of a house and, as such, is meant for living in.

What classifies as a sunroom?

Definition of sunroom : a glass-enclosed porch or living room with a sunny exposure. — called also sun parlor.

What is the difference between a patio and a sunroom?

A sunroom is normally built either an existing patio with no existing roofing system or over an existing deck. It can be a completely new structure that is simply a room with abundant natural light and access to the outdoors. Sunrooms have many names and to name a few: Screen Room.

Can a sunroom be a bedroom?

Can A Sunroom Be Used As A Bedroom? Yes, a sunroom can be transformed into a bedroom. However, it's not an easy task. To transform your sunroom into a bedroom, make the best use of your space by keeping a range of important elements in your mind when making renovations and decorations.

What is the difference between a sunroom and a sun porch?

The difference is that a screened porch will let air pass through the room, giving you the feeling of being outdoors while keeping out the bugs. A sunroom is a roofed structure that is glass enclosed. A sunroom is more like your living room with a better view.

Is a sunroom considered living space?

For a sunroom to qualify as gross livable space it must meet two basic criteria. First, it has to be heated and cooled by the same system that services the rest of the house.

Do sunrooms have screens?

An enclosed porch is a roof-covered, screened-in room that's open to the elements. Whereas a sunroom is built with four walls, enclosed porches often have screens on either side that allow fresh air into the room.

Is it better to have a screened porch or sunroom?

If you want a space to keep house plants year-round, a screened porch isn't it. A sunroom is the better option for keeping plants — and people — comfortable in the winter.

Are sunrooms worth it?

Sunrooms allow you to enjoy the benefits of being outdoors, such as open views and gorgeous natural light, without experiencing the downsides. Avoid the rain, snow, heat, cold and bugs while you're sitting inside your sunroom. It's the perfect compromise for nature lovers who want some protection from the elements.

Can I put the laundry in the sunroom?

DON'T put your machines into sunrooms or additions that aren't heated. Unless a heat source is added when the washer is installed you can run the risk of frozen pipes and all the damage that can come with them.

Why are sunrooms so expensive?

The increased materials used will inevitably drive up the cost, and since room additions take more time to build than sunrooms, the labor hours will also increase the price.

Can you turn a sunroom into a bathroom?

A second-floor sunroom was converted into this master bathroom, which required a bit of creativity in order to achieve enough privacy to make the homeowner comfortable. The dark grout ties in the black windows, and the white soaking tub coordinates beautifully with the white subway tile.

What is the Purpose of a Sunroom?

Sunrooms offer a luxurious way to enjoy more sunlight and additional relaxation space. Many people use the room as extra living space during mild weather. Sunrooms are also ideal for feeling connected to nature, no matter what the weather looks like outside.

Pros of a Sunroom

Sunrooms are often coveted features in rental homes for all the benefits they offer. The primary focus is on the extra, sunny space offered. Here are a few ideas on how to use a sunroom to your advantage:

Cons of a Sunroom

There are plenty of pros to sunrooms, but there are some downsides to consider before tackling the project.

Where is a Sunroom Located in a House?

A sunroom is often built on the back or side of the house, but it depends on the owner. If you want to watch the sunrise every morning, build your sunroom facing east to soak up the views. If you’re more of an evening person, build it facing west to watch the sunset over a glass of wine.

How Much Does a Sunroom Cost?

Sunrooms vary, depending on the type you want to build and your chosen materials. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

Is Getting a Sunroom Right for Me?

Scoring a sunroom as a homeowner (or renter) offers more natural light and space. However, there are some additional costs to consider before you get started. Weigh the pros and cons to decide what to prioritize and whether or not the trade-off is right for you.

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Susan Finch is a freelance writer and content manager focusing on local experiences, travel, and anything relating to really good food and craft brews. Her work has appeared in travel guidebooks and national magazines and newspapers. Read More

Adding value to your home

If you’re planning to sell your home in the future, adding a sunroom with new windows could greatly increase your resale value. While every situation is unique, the increased living space and curb appeal that a sunroom adds will more than likely cause the price of your home to shoot up.

Reducing your Electric Bill

Just as any window addition would, adding a sunroom makes it easier to use sunlight to illuminate your home instead of artificial light. Locating your sunroom in a place where it will allow light to flood into the rest of your house is a good strategy for keeping your house bright without driving up your energy bill.

Creating a Sanctuary for Your Indoor Plants

If you’ve noticed your indoor plants dying off or not living up to their potential, a sunroom is the perfect place to house them for their best quality of life. Heat from the sun’s rays is encapsulated within the sunroom, making it a warm and cozy place for both plants and humans.

Adding the Right Windows To Your Home

There are a few ways to convert a regular old room into a sunroom without breaking the bank. If you already have the space, and don’t need to build an additional room, Thompson Creek experts are here to help the rest of the process, which includes adding the right windows to match your home’s style.

What Exactly Is a Sunroom and How Does It Work?

A sunroom is an extension of a home that’s walled off by either windows or screens and sometimes covered with a glass roof to create a never-ending stream of light. But not all sunrooms are equal. Versions that aren’t equipped with wiring and heat can only be used during certain seasons, depending on where you live.

What Are the Different Types of Sunrooms?

Get to know the different styles of sunrooms before making your final choice.

Three-Season Sunroom

As the name suggests, a three-season sunroom is only usable for three seasons of the year unless you live in a more moderate climate. It’s physically separated from the rest of a house by a sliding glass or French door and isn’t ideal for the colder months because it’s not climate-controlled.

Four-Season Sunroom

Four-season sunrooms are equipped with heating and cooling capabilities and built a little differently to accommodate these add-ons. They’re usually fitted with knee-high walls rather than floor-to-ceiling windows to allow for proper HVAC duct and wiring installation. Some may also rely on insulated windows to regulate the internal temperature.

Sun Porch

Sun porches or enclosed porches are among the cheapest sunroom options because they’re exclusively surrounded by screens rather than windows. If you’re trying to decide between a sunroom and an enclosed porch, know that transforming your pre-existing porch is a relatively easy project to do yourself.

Conservatory

Though many use the terms sunroom and conservatory interchangeably, there’s actually a difference between the two. Conservatories were originally intended to be used as greenhouses, and are covered with glass ceilings to let as much light and heat in as possible.

Can I DIY a Sunroom or Should I Hire a Pro?

Whether or not it’s a good idea to do a project like this all on your own will depend on how much work is involved. If you need to build a complete structure from the ground up, recruiting a pro will ensure the job is completed properly.

What is a sunroom?

Sunrooms are designed to control sunlight where direct heat is shaded from the interior, not encouraged to be trapped for solar-gain like greenhouses. Greenhouses are different structures for entirely different purposes. However, house plants and herb planters do well in all sunrooms. So do seasonal flower boxes.

What is a sunroom in Florida?

Since sunrooms are made primarily out of glass, they are great for letting in natural light. A sunroom is a special place in your home.

What to consider when selecting a sunroom contractor?

Some things to consider in a sunroom contractor are: How long they’ve been in business. Make sure your contractor has been operating for some time and plans to be around for a lot longer. Their specialization in sunroom design and installations. Sunroom specialists know the peculiarities of sunroom construction.

Why do people have sunrooms?

Sunrooms are the perfect solution to enjoying your view of the outdoors while experience the comfort of inside. After the original house is built, homeowners often add sunrooms as an affordable interior living space that extends into nature. There are many different styles and configurations of sunrooms.

What is a three season sunroom?

Three-season sunrooms also are designed to provide shade from the direct sun and offer some cooling during hot summer days. Sunrooms built for three-season use aren’t normally insulated or provided with any auxiliary heat source. They might have fans to circulate air and provide a bit of relief from high temperatures.

Do sunrooms have a monthly barrier?

Imagine setting up your Christmas tree and opening presents in your sunroom. There are no monthly barriers with four-sea son sunrooms, and that’s because they’re built to take nature’s full force all year long.

Do sunroom contractors work with kits?

They don’t work with kits or try making one-size-fit-all. They are easy to communicate with and don’t use high-pressure sales pitches. Quality sunroom contractors spend time giving you honest information and then step back. They let you make an informed decision about adding a sunroom to your home.

What is solarium in a sunroom?

A solarium is a type of sunroom addition that is made completely out of glass, including the walls and roof. Solariums can be heated and cooled with an individual room heating and cooling unit, giving you year-round use of your new space.

What is solarium in a house?

What is a Solarium? A solarium is a type of sunroom addition that is made completely out of glass, including the walls and roof. Solariums can be heated and cooled with an individual room heating and cooling unit, giving you year-round use of your new space.

Why are solariums used in greenhouses?

Advantage: Because solariums allow optimal natural light to enter the room, they are often used as greenhouses for flowers or plants that need a lot of sun. Disadvantage: Since the ceiling is made entirely from glass (even though it is insulated), a solarium can get warm.

What is a four season room?

Four season rooms extend the living space in your home and provide additional entertaining space, without having to worry about inclement weather. Advantage: Four season rooms tend to cost less than solarium additions, while still offering you a beautiful view of the outdoors.

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