Entertaining in Your Sunroom

By Eva R. Marienchild

Your Guests Will Love Your Sunroom!

Oh, how glorious it is to entertain - or to be entertained - in a sunroom! The sun shines through the floor-to-ceiling walls and windows; the greenery visible through the screens provides the most natural of wall papers; and the cool seclusion provides a perfect getaway for quiet chats.

“I love visiting folks when they have sunrooms,” says a man with a Panama hat, visiting friends in Florida. “The insulation’s great.” He tapped on the floor of the patio sun room with his feet. “Look here! Tough as nails and not a drop of moisture!”

The Secret to Insulated Floors

That kind of quality is most likely due to an insulated floor system.. The best of these floors is a 6” plank with 2 pound expanded polystyrene between two surfaces of 7/16" O.S.B. (Oriented Strand Board), according to a popular sunroom designer. This floor can be installed at any level above grade level. If you use a Fiberglass reinforced plastic surface laminated to the bottom side, it creates a superior moisture barrier unmatched by other floor systems available

Curved Eaves - The Talk of the Neighborhood

If you want more see-through glass and less siding, a sun room made of curved eaves will get everyone in the neighborhood talking. The design is posh and elegant. The aluminum or wood eaves frame tempered, curved glass panels that stretch ceiling to floor. The glass treatments include:

Laminated
Tinted
Reflective
Solar cool
Clear

Roof exhaust fans are usually an option.

“I have everybody over for a dip in our built-in pool,” says the proud owner of a curved eaves sun room. “You feel like you’re in the middle of the great outdoors, but there’s plenty of privacy.” And with the customized sizes that span from 8’ by 12’ to 16’ by 20’, there’s plenty of room to walk comfortably and safely around the edge of your pool, too. (For a built-in pool, you’ll want the larger dimensions.)

Straight Eaves - Museum Look With Plenty of Space

You can’t beat the spaciousness of a straight eaves sunroom. Place a sliding door near the front, center, or near the house, and there’s space galore for you and your guests to mingle. Many owners add a ceiling fan for additional ventilation. And don’t worry about leaks. “With today’s sophisticated structural bonding processes, you don’t have to worry about leaks,” says a dealer.

Security Never a Concern

Night time, security is never a cause for worry, with the lock features currently available. Consider a dual-point locking system and secondary night latch. That way, you you’ll be able to keep your guests company way into the night, while enjoying the cool breeze. Any time of day or night, your sunroom and home are safe and secure.

Aluminum and Vinyl Siding Can Be Headed or Cooled

To coordinate nicely with vinyl sided houses, vinyl framing systems and vinyl replacement windows are available, nowadays. Both vinyl and aluminum systems can be comfortably air conditioned or heated. And if your sun room foundation is above-ground, don’t worry. As long as your designer arranges for proper compliance, steps can be added from the ground to your sunroom, and your guests can get a bird’s eye view of the scenery.

Won’t Take Long To Build!

Eager to start entertaining? Most sunrooms take only a day or two to put up, depending on the foundation. Pre-manufactured panel systems are custom built for you, in the factory, before they’re delivered on-site. Of course, you have to factor in the dealer’s schedule, weather, and the permits that have to be obtained, but, in most cases, you’ll be entertaining all your family and friends before you know it!