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By Chris Mellor, Patio Enclosures, Incorporated

Perhaps you’ve seen photographs, dined in a solarium, or may even know someone who has recently purchased a sunroom. They seem so inviting that you’re thinking about owning on yourself, but you aren’t ready for a salesperson just yet. What can you do to inform yourself about the available range of sunroom types, styles and options and be prepared to take the next big step?  Well, this article is a great place to start! So read on!

There are three basic considerations when choosing the best type of sunroom for your home. The first consideration should be its intended use. Will it be used for entertaining… a hobby, exercise or recreation room?  Its use can dictate size and dimensions – so consider furniture, equipment and space for activities that it will house. Secondly, whether you choose an elegant octagon-shaped conservatory with ornamental finials, a sleek solarium with smooth glass walls and ceilings, or a traditional look with a slope or gable roof, your choice should be greatly influenced by the architecture of your home. Go on-line to http://www.patioenc.com/Gallery/ImageGallery.aspx to see examples of how different styles of sunrooms are designed to blend with the architecture of an existing home. Of course, a visit to the 2008 HBA Home and Garden Show will provide additional opportunities to see displays from leading national sunroom companies.

The third consideration is obvious to most of us who live on a budget – namely, how much should you spend? Sunrooms come in basic models to fancy, well-appointed architectural marvels. But if you do live on a budget, then you’ve already got a pretty good idea about what you can afford. Financing is almost always available for qualified homeowners, but it’s a mistake to shop for a sunroom by price alone.

There are two families of sunrooms. The most basic is the seasonal sunroom. Generally, it will be constructed with a sturdy, maintenance-free aluminum frame outfitted with single-pane glass doors and windows that open and close to permit fresh air to enter. Screens are included to keep bugs and most airborne debris outside. In most parts of the US, a seasonal room is typically usable from early spring until late fall.

Higher up on the price and usability scale would be the insulated year-round sunroom that also includes solariums and conservatories.  Frame choices include aluminum and vinyl. Double-pane low-e glass and thermally engineered frames are combined with a heating and cooling system to provide year-long comfort in any climate.

Popular sunrooms styles feature single slope roofs (studio styling) that usually fit beneath an existing roof on a home, and gable roofs (cathedral styling) with two pitched slopes to complement traditional colonial architecture.  More exclusive designs include solariums, which are essentially sunrooms that have a glass roof. They come with straight roofs or curved front walls, sometimes referred to as straight or curved eaves. A conservatory is a sunroom originally used as a plant nursery that originated in England hundreds of years ago. Their popularity and status have endured and they add elegance to any of today’s home styles.

The most important criteria for your selection should include quality, design, and the expertise of the company that installs your sunroom. Many companies will sell you a “custom” sunroom with standard-sized doors and windows that they buy from another supplier. To meet a desired size specification usually requires them to use an opaque filler material that can obstruct an occupant’s view of the outdoors and can also detract from the sunroom’s appearance. For full-length floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall views, purchase from a company that can custom-size its windows and doors. If the company that makes your sunroom also installs it, that’s even better. A single source would eliminate any finger-pointing or voided warranties due to improper installation. Be sure to talk to references supplied by the sunroom company to see if they are happy with their purchase.

We’ve covered the types of sunrooms and given you some tips on shopping for a room. Go on-line and check sunrooms out, but don’t be afraid to set up an appointment with a salesperson. These are usually free and you’re under no obligation to buy. If you do your homework ahead of time, you should be able to purchase a sunroom that will provide years of service and increase your home’s value.

Chris Mellor is the St. Louis Branch Manager for Patio Enclosures, Inc, was a top sunroom salesman at the Charlotte, North Carolina branch, and was the company’s sunroom installation supervisor prior to going into sales.

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