What to Consider When Thinking About Sunroom Installation in Chicago

A sunroom, sun porch, sun lounge or sun parlor is a small room installed on the side of a home. It is designed to make it easy for homeowners to enjoy the outdoors while being protected from hostile outside elements, such as wind, rain, insects and cold or hot weather. It is sometimes referred to as a conservatory, patio room, Florida room, garden room, or solarium. The room is usually constructed of wood, vinyl, or breeze block. If you are thinking of installing one in your home, the following guidelines can help you get the most out of your investment.
 

Understand the Difference Between a 3 Season Sunroom and 4 Season Sunroom
 

A 3 season solarium is constructed to be used in the summer months, which can vary from a duration of 4 to 8 months. This means that you will not be able to use this type of a sunroom during the winter season. A 4 season sunroom is designed to be used in both winter and summer months. In other words, it can be used year-round because it can be heated and cooled.
 

Windows
 

Almost 90% of a sunroom is made of glass. When planning to install a sunroom, you will need lots of huge windows. So, the material, shape, color and price will play a huge role in the project. There are tons of windows available to choose from, and you will want to make an informed decision. Today, double and triple pane glass windows are available to help regulate heat during summer and cold during winter months.
 

Materials
 

It is extremely important to choose the right material that you want your sunroom to be constructed from. This decision will not only determine how your sunroom addition will look, but how much money and time you’ll need for maintenance purposes. Vinyl windows are less expensive, beautiful and need no maintenance. Wood windows are extremely attractive, offer a vintage touch, can be painted to match the home, but they require a great deal of maintenance. Aluminum is strong, light, can be painted into different attractive colors, and it is energy inefficient and requires maintenance.
 

Location
 

This is perhaps the most important factor to consider when constructing a sunroom. Deciding on the right location for your conservatory should be the first step when planning an addition. In the southern climate, a northern exposure will be appropriate. In the north, however, a southern exposure will be needed. Eastern exposure will be best, especially if you want to enjoy the morning sunlight.