Overview of conservatories, options for building them, specific details to consider in the design of one.

There is a wide variety of options available for the homeowner who wants to add a sunroom to their living space. So you’ll first want to consider your family’s wants, needs, and general lifestyle when you are ready to build your sunroom.

From a simple patio cover to a more involved sunroom construction option, you will want to review different sunroom design ideas. One of the most popular types of sunroom designs is a conservatory sunroom. This particular form of a sunroom allows the most light into your home, creating a warm, bright space with the feeling that you are truly outdoors.

Enjoying Sunroom Conservatories

When a sunroom is built such that it is mostly glass throughout the walls and particularly the roof, then it is considered a conservatory. These rooms allow for full sunlight immersion without the bother of mosquitoes or other bugs. Plus, when designed with your particular needs in mind, they can become the most popular room in the house. Once traditionally limited to wicker furniture and plants, homeowners are now building conservatories that house their kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, studies, or even bathrooms.

The Difference Between  Patio Rooms And Conservatory

When you start to discuss building your conservatory with a contractor, you will probably be asked if you want a conservatory patio room or a conservatory sunroom. So what is the difference, you’ll wonder? The differences may depend on the supplier that you are considering, but there is one basic difference between the two types of conservatories. Patio rooms are those that are built on top of an existing structure such as a deck or patio slab that will be strong enough to withstand the weight of the additional structure as well as any snow or water that may fall on it throughout the year.

They are also referred to as 3 season sunrooms, because they are not normally built to be used year round. In other words, they are generally not built with heating and cooling systems installed, other than perhaps a ceiling fan.

Because of this, they also are normally less expensive than conservatory sunrooms. These more expensive structures are also usually more fully insulated and often involve extending your heating and cooling system and ductwork out to the new construction so that you have the option of using your conservatory year round.

Details Of Conservatory Design

If you are building a conservatory sunroom, then you are hoping to use the structure through all four seasons of the year. In order to do so and still meet your budget, you’ll want to consider a few aspects of the design of your sunroom. First, insulation is an important part of the design of the conservatory. If it is not properly insulated, then one of two things, and possibly both of them, will happen.

First, you may not find that your conservatory is as comfortable as you had hoped. And second, you may be spending a great deal more in heating and cooling costs than you would if you had spent the money on proper insulation. You’ll want to consider what the building code requires as far as insulation, and then discuss with your contractor the possibility of exceeding those recommendations. For example, choosing 2×6 studs instead of the more common 2×4 studs will allow you an additional 2 inches of insulation throughout the conservatory.

Next, consider your windows. Since they will make up the majority of your conservatory, you’ll want to choose them carefully. They can not only add artistry to the appearance of your building, but they have a functional component, as well as a considerable impact on the budget for the construction of your building.

• First, consider the glazing that you will use. It should not only allow sunlight to enter in an acceptable amount, but it should also protect you from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

• Consider too that there are glazes that will actually help to hold in the heat in your conservatory, acting as another form of insulation. The material that the windows are made from will have a great deal to do with their cost as well as their ability to insulate.

• Wood windows are normally the most expensive windows, will require some occasional repainting or refinishing, but are relatively energy efficient.

• Vinyl windows rate as superiorly efficient energy –wise, as well as at a moderate cost level. You’ll have a number of colors to choose from and often a low level of maintenance.

• Then, aluminum windows are not as efficient, but are maintenance free in most cases. The most popular style tends to be clad, which are relatively maintenance free, with energy efficiency that matches wood frames without the high cost.

Remember when designing your conservatory that whether or not a window moves will determine their cost, in part. So, the more fixed, or stationary windows that you include in your design, the least costly your design will be. Consider which of the windows will need to be opened or closed, and which can remain fixed in order to give you the flexibility that you need in using the room, but without paying for flexibility you won’t use.

Swimming pool installed on a public sunroom

You will be able to enjoy the swimming pool in your home round the year if you install a pool sunroom. There are several manufacturers that offer custom pool installation both for commercial and residential applications and on a firm order can install a pool sunroom at any location within the United States. Your pool sunroom will not only protect you from the sun but will also keep your pool cooler in summer and warmer during winter months. Falling leaves, pesky animals and pets will be kept out of your pool restricted to where they belong.

Among the many available designs of pool sunrooms there is one with a retractable roof. Consider its benefits like when taking a dip in your outdoor pool in fine weather it suddenly starts raining. With your retractable roof pool sunroom you simple close the trackless retractable roof and continue to enjoy your swim in comfort and complete protection not allowing the outside drizzle to spoil your enjoyment.

This type of pool sunroom usually has glass front and side walls and a roof set up with an insulated roof panel about three inches in thickness and four feet in width running around the perimeter of the sunroom roof with a one foot overhang that includes gutter, fascia and downspouts. On top is installed a 16mm polycarbonate double wall retractable roof that is split in two parts with the topside retracting over the bottom.

Another type of pool sunroom comes with a three-inch thick insulated aluminum roof.  The four feet wide roof panel has three-inch foam insulation laminated to either side of an aluminum skin and comes in rolls that can be used according to the length required. The front and side glass walls of this pool sunroom come with options that include screened glass windows, glass sliding doors with screens or aluminum glass doors with screens.

Areas that do not have doors or windows are installed with fixed quarter inch thick tempered glass panels. The framework is of structural aluminum with color choice in white, bronze, and other finishes. While measuring roof area it is necessary to add an extra foot in width and two feet in length measurements to cover roof overhang requirements

The company from which you order your pool sunroom usually requires you to send them a picture of your swimming pool deck area along with your name, address, telephone number and the dimensions of your pool sunroom before proceeding further with your order. Generally they do not require making a deposit or other payment at the time of acceptance of the order. However the usual practice is payment of half the estimated cost at the time of delivery of the sunroom and the balance upon completing the installation.

Railing by swimming pool

As a general installation guideline, your concrete deck should be square or rectangular in shape. You must keep the deck edge level at the place(s) where the walls of your pool sunroom will be installed. Be sure to leave a minimum of three feet of concrete deck all along the sides of your swimming pool. A check on the footer you need around your pool sunroom is required.

However, you first need to check with building authorities of your area for necessary clearances and compliance issues before the installation of your pool sunroom.

Your sunroom is among the most impressive parts of your house. Installing a security alarm system in the house reduces the chances of a burglary. If the alarm system does not prevent the burglar from breaking in it will definitely reduce his stay, as he will immediately try to make himself scarce once the alarm goes off. Most of these systems operate through a combined arrangement consisting of contacts placed on windows and doors and motion sensors.

Burglar sunroom breaking in

It is best to have contacts at all exterior points of entry to the house including the sunroom. The contact will be able to sense when doors/windows are opened and activate the system alarm. Glass breaking sensors are also available that will operate the alarm if someone tries to get in by breaking the glass of the sunroom. Motion detectors have their own advantages however they do not detect the presence of an individual until he/she is already inside the house.

Home security systems basically include these elements:

• The control panel – All the wiring of the system terminates at the control panel. The back up battery is also located at this point and in a monitored system this is the place where the phone lines are connected.
  

  security system console, mounted on a wall, shallow DOF

• Keypad – The keypad is the point from where the system is armed/disarmed.
• The Siren – The audible signal heard when the alarm goes off
• Inside motion detector- Motion detectors sense human presence inside a room.
• Special motion detectors- for pets
• Door and/or Window contacts – These contacts function to activate the alarm when any door or window of the house is opened.
• A Central Monitoring Station – In a monitored system, when the alarm is set off the control panel transmits a message to the central monitoring station that is manned round the clock. On receiving the message the Central Monitoring Station will first try to contact the owner and then contact the police, fire department and the medics. Generally, there is a monthly fee charged for these services provided by the security company that operates the Central Monitoring Station and with whom the owner of the house has a monitoring contract.

Sunrooms & Home Security Monitoring Systems

In monitored systems when the system senses anything it considers as a security threat it waits for approx 40 to 45 seconds to give sufficient time to the homeowner to deactivate the system if it is a false alarm. When not deactivated within the set timeframe it sends a message to the monitoring company through telephone lines connected to control panel. On receiving the message the monitoring company calls the home to verify the alarm. If no response is received or if a wrong password is provided the company informs the police on which the police respond accordingly.

Unmonitored systems usually have an on-site sound alarm system with or without flashing lights. The system relies on neighbors to call the police if and when they find the alarm activated. Passers by or neighbors are advised never to investigate an alarm on their own. Unmonitored system should preferably have strobe lights also incorporated in the system along with the alarms.

The strobe lights should be located in some ‘difficult to access’ spot on a side street of the house. The siren and flashing lights of the alarm system should be installed on the house from where they can be seen and heard easily.
Security wise your sunroom may be the most important place where you need to ensure placing sensors of your alarm system in addition to other places in the house.

Discussion about wicker furniture, the options available, information on sunroom fabric and basic maintenance information.

When most of us think about sunroom furniture, we think about wicker. Sunroom indoor furniture has traditionally been made from this versatile substance, then finished in a wide array of colors.

The airy construction and strength of the material adds a kind of tropical feel to your sunroom, letting you imagine that you are actually soaking in the sun at some holiday destination rather than lounging in your wicker chair in front of your sunroom window.

But today, wicker furniture is not limited to just the loveseat and chair set that most of us are familiar with. There are also a number of wicker accessories that you can incorporate into your sunroom decorating.

Wicker has been used for a number of tools and creations since biblical times. The earliest wicker artifact that has been discovered actually came from Egypt. It was dated by archaeologists and is believed to have come from around 1400 B.C.

Originally, it was formed into tools that were necessary for performing the tasks for day to day living, such as fishing or building shelter. As trade routes expanded and wicker became readily available, it began to be used for more decorative needs such as furniture and accessories.

It quickly became a popular material for creating inexpensive, yet durable items. When we use the word wicker today, the word actually applies to a number of different materials, all of which can be woven into strong patterns and shapes.

Rattan, bamboo, a number of reeds, willow and peelcane all fall into this category. When bent and woven, the materials can be creatively used to form anything from baskets to furniture.

When you are looking at wicker furniture for your sunroom, you will find a number of different choices available. Often, there are sets of furniture sold, including a loveseat or sofa, one or more chairs, and possibly tables that coordinate with the other pieces. However, this is only the beginning of what is available.

You can find wicker ottomans, swings, rockers, wing chairs and loungers that you can add to provide additional relaxing, comfortable pieces to your furniture selections. Or, you can choose from any number of pot stands, end tables, mats, decorative baskets, wall hangings and fans that will let you carry your tropical theme throughout the room.

Alternatives To Wicker That Have A Similar Look

You’ll find other options than solid wicker furniture as well. There are a number of products that will combine wicker with a solid wooden structure. These can add a more rustic quality to your furniture, but may also add more strength to the structure if you have larger or heavier members of the household.

Many other pieces that appear to be wicker are actually made from a plastic or vinyl type material that has the look of wicker but is less expensive and easy to maintain. Now there are also products beginning to appear on the market that are made of PVC pipe. These products are just as strong, look very similar to actual wicker, and are usually less expensive than wicker furniture.

Selecting Your Sunroom Furniture Fabric

When you are considering cushions and fabric for your wicker sunroom furniture, there are a couple of items to consider. First, realize that when you see the price listed for wicker furniture, it rarely includes the cushions that may be displayed with the furniture. If you are not happy with the choices that you see, ask if you can order different fabric for the cushions. If not, and if you have purchased standard sizes of furniture, then you will still likely be able to find the kind of fabric that you would like. You should also consider whether or not you will need to protect the fabric with some kind of stain guard. If you plan to entertain in the sunroom, have meals there or expect to have a great deal of traffic in the room, then protecting the fabric is a good idea. It will make cleaning any spills easier and will keep the fabric looking new for much longer.

Maintaining Your Wicker Furniture

One of the benefits of wicker or rattan furniture is that it doesn’t need a lot of maintenance or upkeep in order to keep them looking in good condition. Regular dusting will be important, since the weave will attract dust just like any other surface under your sunroom roof. But by using a damp cloth or a vacuum with a narrow pointed attachment, you can easily keep the furniture clean.

The wicker itself may come in a number of colors, or can be painted if you can’t find exactly what you are looking for. However, if the wicker has been finished with a varnish, you will need to use a primer in order to have the color adhere. Sanding wicker is possible, but if done too harshly, you could damage the reeds and compromise their strength or integrity. If you ever have splitting or cracking of the weave, you can use any number of glosses, stains, paints or furniture color touch up products to keep the color looking uniform.

Over time, it is possible that the weave may begin to unravel. If this happens, you can have it repaired by having the weaving redone. However, you will want to get some pricing information on making the repairs, because it may cost less in the long run to replace the furniture rather than to have it redone.

An overview of the Champion company and its product offerings, focusing on the main sunroom product, the All Season Vinyl Patio Room.

As one of the founding members of the National Sunroom Association, Champion has long been setting high quality standards in sunroom construction, backed by a dedication to customer service.

They have been in operation since 1953. The company has factory showrooms in Cincinnati and Denver, but also ships their products to sunroom contractor companies in many different areas. In terms of building a champion sunroom, the main product available is a patio room or porch enclosure.

Originally, they offered a patio room that was more meant for 3 seasons rather than year round enjoyment. However, their main offering now is the All Season Vinyl Patio Room, which will allow you to enjoy the outdoor living environment while remaining in the indoor comfort. They also offer awnings, porch enclosures and even sunroom furniture to help ensure your comfort while enjoying the sunroom.

Champion’s All Season Vinyl Patio Room

What is unique about Champion’s vinyl patio rooms is that they are designed as an entire system. The components are made to work together in perfect harmony, so that no matter what options you choose to incorporate in your sunroom, the Champion system will ensure that they work together smoothly. This option also means that you have little maintenance required to keep your patio sunroom or conservatory sunroom looking gorgeous year round.

Champion has chosen to use vinyl for its sunrooms because it offers the consumer a good level of quality and value for their investment. The material they choose is an energy efficient 6 inch aluminum that is encased in vinyl. This means that the building is extremely structurally sound and will withstand not only violent shifts in weather but also the weight of whatever the weather might throw down upon your structure’s roof. Vinyl holds its color and shape longer than many other materials and won’t decay as it ages. The windows and doors that Champion uses have been engineered to work precisely with the vinyl structure, meaning that they are strong, durable and weather tight as well.

Champion also offers a guide to potential sunroom buyers as to what to look for when purchasing a sunroom. When you think about the addition of a sunroom to your home, you should look at it not just as the addition of a space in which to live, but also as an investment in your home’s resale value.

With this in mind, it’s important to consider the current shape and style of your home when you are looking at sunroom designs. The sunroom style that you choose should flow with the current structure, complimenting it instead of contrasting with it. You’ll also want to consider the level of maintenance that your sunroom might require. In general, the less maintenance that it will require, the less cost you’ll be looking at in the long run and so the more return you will get on your investment. Be sure that the design you select will allow for the flexibility that you desire in using the room.

That enough light is allowed in, yet is able to be controlled so that it doesn’t get uncomfortably bright or warm. That you are able to open and close windows as necessary, and that the mechanisms used to do so are easy to operate and durable. Consider the security of your home when designing a sunroom as well, by making sure that the glass used is shatter resistant and all doors and windows can be secured against break ins.

Rest Assured With The Champion Sunroom Warranty

Champion is so certain that their product is high quality and built to last that they provide an incredibly strong warranty for their work. The warranty includes a lifetime replacement for broken glass, which is impressive enough on its own. But it also covers all material and labor for fifteen years. So that if your patio enclosure or sunroom has any problems regarding the structure, labor or weather sealing that was used, you will be able to get it repaired or replaced under the warranty. Champion is easy to contact via phone if you have any problems as well, and promises to respond to you with the service needed quickly and courteously.

Retractable Shade Awnings

If you are not in the market for a full patio room but would still like to enjoy some shaded area outside of your home, then a retractable awning may be the right choice. Champion can install a self-contained cassette retractable awning to the outside of your home. This means that the covering fully retracts into a storage cassette when you’re not using it so that it is safely protected from damage and it is conveniently stored out of your way.

The awnings come with either hand cranked expansion and retraction, or a motor that can do it for you. The fabric used is meant for outdoor use and can be ordered in widths from 12 to 18 feet. Champion recommends considering this product not just for when you want to be outdoors, but also in protecting your home from the sun at the hottest times of the day. Extending the awning in order to shade your home can not only reduce cooling costs, but can prevent carpets, draperies and other fabrics from fading due to overexposure to sunlight.

Champion Casual Furniture

In many of the locations where you can purchase a Champion sunroom, you can also get a jump on decorating your sunroom. Ask them about their selection of wicker-rattan furniture. It’s handcrafted, is available in a number of styles, and you can customize the furniture to your personal preferences with a number of different finishes and fabrics that you can choose from. Then, they will deliver your new furniture to you once your sunroom is complete, so you can start enjoying your new room addition right away.