The sunroom is an ideal addition to a house that starves for sunlight. It is less expensive yet a classy addition that offers more window space to bring natural light into your home.
Building a sunroom in the house requires you to have sound knowledge of foundation, trusses, lumber, joists, and electrical wiring. Plus, there are some contactor driver projects subject to various building codes.
However, if you think you can meet these requirements and are all set to give your home a fresh treat with the beautiful solarium, here is how you can do it.
If your roof, porch, or patio is large enough to install a sunroom, it is perhaps the most economical addition to the home.
However, the backyard is also a good place to make a sunroom in the house. It is better to consult with the local building authority or a reputable contractor to ensure that your structure can handle the weight of the sunroom. Once you’re done with this, it is time to follow the given steps.
Note that the size and placement of your windows dictate the design pattern of your solarium. Make sure you choose high-quality windows. Also, determine whether your sunroom will have non-insulated or insulated glass.
If you want to use the sunroom throughout the year, insulated windows make the better option. You can also opt for other types including tempered, non-tempered, window framing, hinges, bay, bow, double-hung, and siding. Weigh the pros and cons of each option you consider for your solarium.
As said above, the size of the windows you choose for solarium is a crucial for the process. Consider both design configurations and window size before you jump into the installation process.
Typically, windows from ceiling to floor are the ideal choice for the solarium as they allow the maximum light to come into the room. The giant size windows improve the heat buildup in the solarium. Look for different custom-design windows that can transform the light in the sunroom.
In general, porches and roofs have electrical components such as outlets and lights. However, when you decide to install a sunroom in the house, you need to increase electrical options in the porch, backyard, or roof to accommodate additional switches, lighting, and fans.
As the sunroom is made up of glass, you must determine and locate the spots for electrical features to frame the structure of your sunroom accordingly. It is always better to seek the assistance of a professional technician or electrician to do the job.
Hiring a qualified installer such as Schildr is a great option to not only figure out the electrical requirements but also keep the design phase seamless.
You might have to change the subfloor depending on the condition and design structure of your existing porch. The subfloor typically carries the flooring materials. The portion you choose to make the sunroom has a specific foundation. That is why you might need to change or reinforce the beams, posts, joists, and piers of the sunroom.
Consulting a professional contractor is critical at this stage to make sure the chosen foundation is capable to carry the load. In most cases, people add a layer of plywood over the porch floor and that makes a good foundation. But it is best to speak with the contractor before making the changes.
When it comes to flooring, there are many options to choose from. Some of these include stone, wood, concrete, tile, and brick.
Once you have figured out the size of the windows, design of the sunroom, electrical requirements, and subfloor installation, it is time to frame up the sunroom. Before moving forward, remove the porch balustrade if required.
Typically, framing depends on the dimension of the window allowance. While the dimension is not hard to determine, it is the most important step in the process. We say this because the accurate and leveled framing makes window installation significantly easier.
The products (windows and doors) come with the instructions.. To make it a seamless process, you need to follow the instructions for door and window installation.
It is worth mentioning that different windows have different installation requirements. Be sure to stick to the particular installation process required for the windows you have selected. You can run electrical wiring before you start window and door installation. It is not necessary as it depends on the specific design of your solarium.
When you complete the framing and window installation, this is the best time to install fixtures and run electrical wiring (if it’s not done).
The next step is to finish the exterior work of your sunroom. Depending on the design you have chosen, you can install siding to add a unique exterior.
The last step is for adding lighting fixtures and installing selected flooring. You can add trim and hardware if applicable.
No matter how easy may it seem to install or build a glass wall project in the house, it takes a lot of hard work. Unless you’re not a seasoned professional, don’t try to attempt the task yourself. It is best to hire professional and reputed sunroom installers such as Schildr to build a solarium. The licensed sunroom installation experts have the expertise, experience, and knowledge to handle the project easily.
You can follow the given steps to build the sunroom in your home. However, you can skip the hectic process of building a solarium yourself by hiring the professionals like Schildr. Contact our pros to explore more about the sunrooms and how we can help you build one.
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