Understanding How To Choose And Design A Conservatory Sunroom

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 Conservatory Patio Rooms And Conservatory Sunrooms

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 2x6 studs instead of the more common 2x4 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.

Resources:

Conservatory sunrooms at sunroomliving:
Affordable, pre-built sunrooms. Delivered to your home ready for installation.

Conservatories and Sunrooms Online
A website focused only in conservatories. Very nice place to start.