In the world of prefabricated sunrooms, the most basic options are simple glass boxes that enclose a patio or deck. These structures accomplish the job of allowing sunlight in. However, they don’t offer a great deal of aesthetic appeal. This is one reason many homeowners choose to spring for a slightly more customized design like those created by TEMO and Four Seasons.

The conservatory is a good example of a home addition that offers grace and elegance as well as light filled space. Unlike a traditional sunroom with a flat or low vaulted ceiling, a conservatory sunroom rises to a dome or a steep apex. The ceiling is often paneled with clear or frosted glass rather than being opaque.

Room Structure

The room itself may be hexagonal or octagonal offering a panoramic view. This shape blends well with Victorian architecture. Rectangular conservatories are also available that more closely match Georgian style homes. Laminated aluminum generally forms the exterior, but the interior can be finished in wood or other materials to match the rest of your home. White is one of the most popular exterior colors for this type of sunroom - it matches the trim on many houses.

Possible Uses

Historically, conservatories have been used as attached greenhouses for upscale homes and public buildings. This is still a great way to use your own, modern sunroom. The climate is somewhat controlled while letting in plenty of natural sunlight. You can also furnish this area as a parlor, music room, or library.

Planning A Sunroom

There are quit a few details to consider when choosing you sunroom.
1.   Where is the best location to add the sunroom and attach it to you house?
2.   Will your sunroom come from an architect’s plan and a builder or will you purchase the kit? Will this be a do it yourself project?
3.   Is this sunroom or solarium actually add value of your house? Sunrooms that are not in harmony with the homes architectural style can actually be a liability to the overall value of your house when you decide to sell. So choosing the correct style is very important in your decision.
4.   Do you want the sunroom or solarium to be full glass walls or just knee walls with insulation and electrical outlets?
5.   Will the roof of the room be a full glass roof, a partial glass roof or a sky light?
6.   Will you be installing ceiling fans and/or vents?
7.   Do you want windows that open for fresh air and hot summers? Will you have screens installed for these applications?
8.   Is security an issue?
9.   Will you be using the room all year long?
10. Will you install French doors or sliders?
11. And finally, what are your budget constraints?

Sunrooms are a great addition to any house, they combine the comfort of the indoors with an uplifting energy of natural light. There are several options when it comes to a sunroom. First, whether or not you want a custom-designed room, or one purchased as a complete kit. Once you’ve made the decision, you will have many more to make. Because sunrooms require plenty of planning. Before you make any serious decisions, it’s important for you to consider how you’ll use the room. You may want to add a sun room to your living room or kitchen. Either way, the construction requirements will differ depending on the exact use you are intending on.

Find the best location for your room

Once you decide on the use of your sunroom, you will need to figure out the best location for it. You’ll want to orient your sunroom so that it receives the best sun light. The main windows in the room should face to the south. It will help to track how the sun moves across your home.

Your next step in your planning, should be the roof and room sides. Generally, sunrooms consist of a glass roof and glass sides. Often, special circumstances dictate exactly how the roof and walls will be constructed. For example, if your sunroom is exposed to extreme amounts of sunlight, you may benefit from having a partial overhead glass roof or by having just the sunroom walls made of glass. Partial overhead glass roofs also come in handy when the top of your sunroom experiences having snowfall. The walls of your sunroom can either be full glass or if you want your sunroom to have a more enclosed, roomy feeling, you might consider a knee wall. A knee wall is just a short wall about knee height. It provides a more structured feeling and can also be used to run electric lines.

Insulated siding is a great way to make your home more energy efficient. It will give your home a little extra insulation that is not provided by regular vinyl siding. Insulated siding is a little more expensive in the beginning, but the difference that it can make in your utilities over time is well worth the extra expense.

Insulated siding is a much thicker product than regular vinyl siding. The back of the siding is fitted with foam that fills in the gap between the siding and the exterior of your home. The foam that is used is high performance expanded polystyrene. This is a highly adaptable building material. The insulated siding will also help reduce the growth of mildew and mold. It is also shown to help reduce the possibility of infestations of insects and other pests.

This is the most energy efficient siding product on the market. It is also considered a green product because of the energy the home owner will save. It is an extremely durable product. Just like with regular siding, there is very little maintenance required.
You can find the insulated siding at building supply stores and through independent builders. It comes in a variety of colors. The siding is also sold with different textures and profiles. This allows the home owner to achieve the desired look.