Newbie buying a house with a large sunroom, need help
#1
07-05-10, 09:25 PM
Newbie buying a house with a large sunroom, need help
Hi! I'm buying a house with a large sunroom, maybe 16X20 or larger. It is built on a deck type platform. I don't even know what questions to ask or what to look for. Just reading I can tell there is more to it than, "oh, that's nice! I'll take it."
I'm pretty sure I'll need to clean the plexi/lexan glass on the roof. There was a thread about a Maguire's poduct or using woolite to overcome this, but how do you get up on top to clean the sloped roof without breaking anything?? It's easily 16 feet above grade. I can reach the front and close to the eaves, but what about the middle of the roof?
I also read about the requirement to have 80% window openings (or something like that). Can someone clarify this?
It's definitely a hot box right now. No AC/Heating and it's ridiculously hot out there. What are the common remedies for this? I have a portable rolling AC unit rated to cool about 800 Sq. ft. Will this work or just get worn out? Is there something better?
I love the room and the additional living space it offers, but I want to be able to actually use it. Please point me in the right direction on where to start. I didn't see an FAQ sticky for sunrooms and just don't know what to ask.Thanks!
I'm pretty sure I'll need to clean the plexi/lexan glass on the roof. There was a thread about a Maguire's poduct or using woolite to overcome this, but how do you get up on top to clean the sloped roof without breaking anything?? It's easily 16 feet above grade. I can reach the front and close to the eaves, but what about the middle of the roof?
I also read about the requirement to have 80% window openings (or something like that). Can someone clarify this?
It's definitely a hot box right now. No AC/Heating and it's ridiculously hot out there. What are the common remedies for this? I have a portable rolling AC unit rated to cool about 800 Sq. ft. Will this work or just get worn out? Is there something better?
I love the room and the additional living space it offers, but I want to be able to actually use it. Please point me in the right direction on where to start. I didn't see an FAQ sticky for sunrooms and just don't know what to ask.Thanks!
Last edited by Mdarius; 07-05-10 at 09:54 PM. Reason: embed image
#2
07-07-10, 11:37 AM
I guess the first question is what part of the U.S. I'm not sure how you would safely clean the center roof area of an atrium type ceiling. My room is roughly 240 S.F. and has a solid, insulated roof and all glass is double pane. It sits on an old deck frame with additional supports and fiberglass insulation packed under the joists. With the temp today in the 90's, the room is unused. Naturally it faces southwest. I do have a GE window type A/C / heat pump at about 9K btu's which will keep it comfortable year round, but, in this weather we just stay in the main house and spend the electricity on the central A/C.
#3
07-07-10, 12:20 PM
Super Moderator
Cleaning it would not be all that big of a deal. An extension pole, step ladder, a soft brush, and use a product like they have for spraying on vinyl siding and upper story windows. There are several different brands, it helps the rinse water to sheet off. Even better if you happen to have a softened water source. Some car wash products would also be a good choice...
Now...trying to polish it will be real durn tough without using a boom lift of some sort....they do have towable units I believe...
Many of my neighbors back in VA had sunrooms, and were able to use them winter, spring, fall..but summer was just too hot unless it was conditioned.
Now...trying to polish it will be real durn tough without using a boom lift of some sort....they do have towable units I believe...
Many of my neighbors back in VA had sunrooms, and were able to use them winter, spring, fall..but summer was just too hot unless it was conditioned.
#4
07-07-10, 06:56 PM
Sunroom
That looks like one of those greenhouses, I can't remember the name, Lord and Burnham or something like that. The only plexiglass was the curved glass, the flat panels were all tempered. You should have a section of that roof that opens, to let the heat out. Look for some hinges up on the top. the reason it is on a deck is because those things have to be dead level, or the glass doesn't fit. I built one once. A big job. I put it off as long as I could, didn't want to do it, was scared to death of it, finally the owner got tired of tripping over the 23 boxes in the garage and said when are you going to build my greenhouse?? It turned out to be the easiest job in the world. Here I am dreading it for months. Piece of cake.
#5
07-08-10, 05:49 PM
Thanks! I'm in Utah. Generall we have 4-6 weeks in the 90's, a couple days in the 100's, but mostly 80's except in winter and late fall.
I'll check the roof for hinges and to see if it's glass or not the next time I visit the house. I've kind of decided it's fine if the roof isn't perfectly clear. The glass is grooved or otherwise textured on the roof anyways, so no stargazing. I would like to clarify the curved pieces though.
I'll check the roof for hinges and to see if it's glass or not the next time I visit the house. I've kind of decided it's fine if the roof isn't perfectly clear. The glass is grooved or otherwise textured on the roof anyways, so no stargazing. I would like to clarify the curved pieces though.
#6
07-30-10, 01:31 PM
Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 204
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
sunroom
In terms of managing the heat, is there any way to fasten any thick woven shades to one wall of glass (the hottest area) or a few sections during the really hot months? Not sure if there is anything to attach the tracks to, but that would give you some relief ...although you'd probably then take them down during more mild weather.
