Frequently Asked Questions for Insulated Sunrooms:
What is an insulated sunroom?
An insulated sunroom is also referred to as a four season sunroom or an all season sunroom. The sunroom is a pre-fabricated wall and roof system added to your home to provide added enjoyment of the outdoors and extra living space. The framing is made of maintenance-free materials, predominantly aluminum. The wall sections are typically custom made, no greater than five feet in width. Each section contains a high quality side sliding window, beneath the window is the “kneewall” which is built with a solid panel or insulated tempered glass. If extra height is desired, “transom glass” is added to the tops of the windows and doors
Typically the roof is made with insulated aluminum panels that come in varying thickness. Thicker panels have more insulation and can span farther. Sunrooms have typically differed from solariums because they don’t use glass in the roof. This line has blurred in recent years with the introduction of polycarbonate roof systems for sunrooms. The translucent multi-wall sheets used in these roofs are safer and lighter than glass, they filter the bright light, and they don’t have the heat or glare of glass roofs. The walls of a solarium typically have a great deal of fixed glass with the occasional casement window, as opposed to a Grand Vista insulated sunroom wall which typically consists of corner-to-corner side sliding windows.
What is the best way to utilize an insulated sunroom?
Insulated sunrooms are used for many great reasons: entertainment, place to relax, room for my pets, TV room, enjoy the outdoors and seasons… the list goes on and on. Finishing touches like beautiful flooring and wicker furniture help create that perfect retreat. Because of the insulating nature of these sunrooms they can be heated and cooled to extend their use and comfort.
What are the advantages of Craft-Bilt’s sunrooms vs. competitors?
Grand Vista Insulated Sunrooms use exceptional quality vinyl windows… the same window you would find on the home of any discerning customer. All of our sunrooms utilize swivel header designs that support the roofs weight evenly and eliminate unsightly gaps inside the room that competitors don’t address or cover with an ugly angle.
How much does a four season sunroom addition cost?
There are a lot of variables: Is a new deck required? Is there an obstruction, for instance, a water spigot, that needs to be moved? An installed 12 x 12 four season sunroom could start around $30,000 but the cost of the deck, building permit and other factors will effect that number.
What is the return on investment for an insulated sunroom?
There have been many studies and opinions published in renovation magazines about the value of major renovations like kitchens, bathrooms, and sunrooms. Check out resources like Remodeller magazine and search for their Cost vs. Value report. Sunrooms are often in the top ten for return on investment, recouping at least 50% of your investment. There are factors that can affect your return on investment, like where you live.
But the real return on investment is the improvement in your lifestyle. Your sunroom will quickly become the favourite room in the house, your very own private retreat. You can’t put a price on peace and tranquility.
How long does it take to install an all season sunroom?
The actual installation can take as little as three days for an all season enclosure. Additional time will be required if you are building an A-frame style sunroom, a new deck is required, a service (i.e. gas meter, water spigot, bathroom fan, etc.) needs to be moved, or there is some other complexity to the project.
Building permits can take up to two weeks, but often there can be delays due to zoning, minor variance or certain issues with the permit application. Your contractor will not order material until the permit is issued after which you have to contend with the backlog at the factory. Factory backlogs for all season sunrooms are around six weeks, but your contractors backlog could be longer than that.
So if you are thinking about an all season sunroom and hope to have it installed before the summer, get started early!
Can I Use My Existing Deck For An Insulated Sunroom?
If your deck was built to building code specifications, there is a good chance it will suffice, but you will have to prove to the city that it is built to code. Open decks are built with a slope away from the building, so even if it is code compliant it may need to be leveled. Deck blocks will not do. Your deck needs footings, typically concrete piers deep enough into the ground to not be lifted when the ground freezes. In recent years, large steel helical piers have been used instead of concrete. Helical piers have certain advantages over concrete that you can discuss with your contractor.
Do I need a building permit for my insulated sunroom?
Yes. Often your contractor will often include the professional drawings and the permit application as part of their price to you. Some contractors will provide the drawings and allow you to obtain the permit yourself.
Can I install an all season sunroom myself or do I need a contractor?
A homeowner with a high level of construction skill can tackle our Grand Vista pre-fabricated three season sunroom. Insulated sunrooms require a bit of extra care to make sure they are sealed and insulated well. Installing an insulated sunroom requires many skills, for instance: framing, flashing, metal work, roofing, electrical and HVAC. Craft-Bilt’s warranty is for properly installed product and does not include installation related issues. Please fill out our contact form and we will reply with the product information you require as well as the name of a local contractor if desired.
