We all
remember the first time we heard the idea, ‘form and function’ in an art class
or maybe an introduction to landscaping. We learned that form and function together
create something appealing and useful. One without the other and eventually the
product lands in the trash heap.
Great
sunroom design derives from the principle of form and function.
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| Source: sunboss.com |
The previous
blog, Sunrooms that Connect the
Indoors to the Outdoors explained that the type of
sunroom you choose derives from having clear goals about how you want to use
it. This blog explains how the design, products and installation decisions come
from an understanding of the elements that make a great sunroom.
If you create
the right form by focusing on energy efficiency you will achieve the
optimal sunroom function of comfort and savings.
Contrary to
the ads and flyers, sunrooms are not just glass walls surrounding happy people.
Use the methods below to create a well-designed sunroom that provides daylight and
comfort all year. Homeowners and building professionals need to pay attention
to five elements of the sunroom construction to avoid mistakes that you’ll realize
when it’s too late.
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| Source: solarenergyfactsblog.com |
1. Orientation
2. Glazing
3. Thermal Mass
4. Insulation
5. Ventilation
Orientation. The ideal
location for your sunroom is to face due south (30º E or W) which gives you the
maximum potential for solar collection. The goal is at least four hours of
sunlight at midday in midwinter. Sit in the spot at different times of the day
to be sure the sun shines on the location with minimum obstruction from trees
or structures. If you were building a new home with a sunroom, be build close
to the north property line leaving more open space and sunlight behind the
sunroom.
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| Source: Elliottwood.co.uk |
Glazing. Always use glass, rather than plastic
alternatives because it’s more durable and traps more heat. We recommend
vertical dual clear glass panes, rather than sloped glazing because it’s more
practical and efficient. Slopped glazing collects more heat during the day and
looses more heat at night making the temperature too hard to control. Low E or reflective glazing can prevent solar heat from entering the sunroom
through the glass. Solid insulated walls are recommended on the east and west
sides, however if an access glass door is needed, install it on the east side
if there is an option. Solid walls reduce unwanted solar gain and nighttime
heat loss.
Thermal Mass. Attention
to the types of building materials further adds to your ability to control the
sunroom temperature. For example, using concrete, stone or tile floors, which
absorb and hold heat, rather than carpet or wood will improve the natural
heating and cooling efficiency. Basically, these materials are natures time
release capsules that allow buildings to store and release heat in step with
daily heating and cooling needs. That’s why we wear dark clothes in the winter
and light clothes in the summer for instance.
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| Source: Pinterest |
Insulation. Structural insulated panels (SIPs) provide the best moisture barrier than any other
choice in the market today. Add a fully fiberglass insulted roof with an R
value of 20-50 and you’ve covered the primary sources of heat loss and
temperature control. The wall between the sunroom and the house can be
insulated with conductive materials to encourage heat transfer between the
rooms if desirable.
Ventilation. Here’s the
final element, which along with thermal mass can control the temperature swings
in your sunroom. It’s said that depending on your climate, and we know that
ours always swings to the extremes in both directions, sunroom temperatures can
swing between 40º-100º. Installing operable vents at the top and bottom of the
sunroom will facilitate airflow and eliminate extreme temperature swings. Other
measures include cross breezes from windows and doors, skylights or sidewall
vents.
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| Source: Andersenwindows.com |
Understanding
how a sunroom works before you add one to your home will allow you to avoid the
mistakes most people make that cause the room to be either too hot or too cold,
too bright for reading or too much humidity producing moisture stained windows.
Hear from
customer’s who’ve bought sunrooms from Woodland Exteriors at www.woodlandwindows.com or visit our
showroom to see the products yourself. A Woodland sunroom meets the National Sunroom Association codes. Woodland sunrooms are designed and installed to maximize daylight and comfort – form
and function matter.
