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By Chris Mellor, Patio Enclosures, Incorporated

Ironically, the primary reason most people buy a sunroom is to spend time outdoors. Seeking a convenient outdoor area to relax, entertain, or cook out, many homeowners built backyard patios or had decks attached to their homes. But factors that have limited the use of these areas include relatively short seasons of good weather, bugs and other pests, along with rain and portions of the day with unbearable direct sunlight.

           Enter the modern sunroom. Not yesterday’s aluminum carport with thin walls and sticky windows, but beautiful custom sunrooms created from a wide range of glass and screen designs, with features and amenities that should appeal to just about everyone. We’ll get to those in a minute…

           For now, let’s use the right side of our brains and look at the practical side of owning a sunroom. First, with the current real estate situation, it may be smarter to improve than to move. Rather than sell your present home to buy a larger one, a sunroom may be the most economical way to add significant livable space.

 By comparison, the average sunroom is less expensive than a typical room addition, and after site preparation (permits and foundation – if needed) installation is generally less than a week versus a month or more for a room addition. Also, unlike the average room addition, sunrooms are comprised mainly of large doors and windows that let in volumes of natural light and can open to let fresh cross breezes into a home. In fact, if located and designed for maximum energy-efficiency, sunrooms may actually reduce a home’s energy footprint and lower lighting, heating and cooling bills. Best of all, sunrooms allow you to enjoy an outdoor environment – rain or shine, but screen out bugs and other pests that can dampen a gathering of family and friends.  Additionally, in many areas of the country, sunrooms actually help to differentiate homes during resale and can return up to 98 percent of their purchase price – making them a really smart investment.

         Now let’s consider the creative, or left-brain aspects of a sunroom. Unlike bedrooms or kitchens that have specific functions, sunrooms can be built and equipped for almost any purpose imaginable… an indoor lap pool or sauna, a game room or home gym, an entertainment or dining room with a full view of a magnificent sunset melting into a canopy of twinkling stars. For many owners, it’s a place to pursue a hobby or indulge in a dream. Sunrooms have been used to showcase collectable cars, raise exotic plants and pets, or to house model train sets… In other words, sunrooms can be used for just about any fun thing you can imagine, which is why after buying a sunroom, most owners remark “it’s the most used room in the house…I wish we had bought one sooner…” how cool is that? 

           So, maybe you’re interested in shopping for a sunroom. From whom should you buy it?  Well, you’ll want to make sure that you buy from a company that’s been in business for at least ten years and that specializes in installing sunrooms. It’s better to find a company that doesn’t use standard-sized components such as doors and windows, but can custom manufacture your sunroom so that it blends with your home instead of looking like an afterthought. For unobstructed views of the outdoors, you’ll want floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall  and edge-to-edge glass.

 It’s better to buy from a single-source company that manufactures and installs your sunroom. This will eliminate confusion about responsibility, prevent finger pointing and preserve your warranty in case there is ever a need for follow-up service. Finally, make sure you see an actual sunroom built by the company you choose. Ask to visit their showroom and see full size sunrooms on display.

Now that you know why you should buy a sunroom, what are you waiting for? 

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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