Sunroom
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Sunroom is a structure which is constructed onto the side of house, usually, to allow the user to enjoy the surrounding landscape of the outside while being sheltered from weather conditions such as rain and wind. The structure is often referred to as a patio room, solarium, patio enclosure or Florida Room. It is mainly constructed and consists of brick or breeze block, glass and PVC. The brick makes up the main support for the PVC, referred to as the knee wall, which is attached to the top of it. The glass panels are large and often clear instead of frosted. The roof would be a plastic which would allow in sufficient amounts of sunlight. Modern sunrooms have roofs which allow in sunlight and block out UV rays and other harmful rays. The roof is slanted to a degree which allows rainwater to channel into the drain pipes.
The structure is often constructed on the back of the house into the garden. This is so that the user can re-enact the feeling of being in the garden however being indoors and being protected.
The sunroom can be designed to different styles which often appear under different general categories. These often are:
The difference in these styles are the use of decoration, shape of the roof and the amount and size of windows. Contemporary is also referred to as "minimalist" in some cases due to the lack of decoration and large windows.
Sunrooms are constructed for many reasons, however, the main reason is usually to increase the value of a home or as an additional feature which adds to the chances of selling the house. Houses which are protected by conservation usually need planning permission before the structure is built and a specific style is chosen by those who decide whether to give or disallow planning permission. Older houses of a Victorian style usually are only given planning permission for the structure if it is in the "Traditional" style category.
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[edit] The Development of Sunrooms
Farmhouses and urban row homes featured a covered porch as a place for the user to sit and relax. With the suburbanization of America, families increasingly used their back patios and gardens. However, unwanted weather conditions made patios un-usable in some times of day and of the year. This spawned many families to cover and screen in their patio for privacy and for shelter.
As this industry evolved, so did the window industry along with it, and it became possible to purchase storm windows and attach them together to enclose a patio, getting even more use from the outdoor space. This was the first creation of a permanent structure of its kind.
During the 1960’s, professional re-modeling companies developed affordable systems to enclose a patio or deck, offering design, installation, and full service warranties. Patio rooms featured lightweight, engineered roof panels, single pane glass, and aluminium construction. These versatile patio rooms extended the outdoor season, provided protection from rain and insects, and gave homeowners extra space.
As customers became more energy conscious and building technology aware, patio and sunrooms became available with insulated glass, vinyl framework, and more elaborate designs. Many American companies also began to offer Greenhouses and Conservatories, which were popular in Europe.
[edit] "Niche Markets"
European companies discovered a "niche market" where customers wanted extra privacy. This meant that blinds and curtains were specially developed to be fitted into the sunroom without damaging the stability of the structure. This has proved a profitable industry where blinds can now be controlled from electronic hand-held devices.
Another market was for flooring in sunrooms. The floors were often tiled due to the threat of roof leakages and cold air entering resulting in the sunroom becomning cold. Floors with heated pipes and insulation are now available. The types of flooring are in wide varieties and does not restrict a customer to buying tiles. Older sunrooms which are not structurally sound, are prone to leaks and draughts so this type of flooring is in demand for customers with these.
[edit] Price Range
As one would expect, prices are different throughout different companies and countries. Contemporary sunrooms are often the most affordable structure available. More elaborate designs cost more. The price of a sunroom also varies on the amount of space covered.
