Adding Light and Space with a Sunroom Kit
Before considering a sunroom kit, carefully evaluate your construction skills. Are you aware of how most homes are constructed? Have you ever done basic framing? Do you have the patience and commitment to complete a large project? If you have any doubts about your ability to complete this project, buy the sunroom kit but hire a contractor. It will undoubtedly cost more for a contractor to come in and complete a job that has been mishandled rather than hiring a contractor in the beginning.
Once you have decided who will be building your sunroom kit, it is important to consider where you want to locate your sunroom. You want to not only place the room so that it fits with the overall floor plan of the home, but also so that it can capture the right amount of light to heat your home.
Manufacturers often have recommendations for the placement of sunrooms depending on climate concerns and other objectives. In general, southern light is considered the most beneficial and pleasing, so you may want to orient your room to take advantage of that light. However, other people may prefer a different orientation to take advantage of a particular view.
The cost of a sunroom kit varies greatly depending on the size, style and materials used. Simple styles are the best way to keep the project budget appropriate, especially if you are hiring a contractor to do the job. Try to choose a kit that will create a big enough room to fit in scale with the existing floor plan of your home.
You should also consider the materials used for the sunroom kit. Although your individual taste should influence which kit you choose, also think about what would complement the rest of your home.
Sometimes it is best to buy a sunroom kit that will enclose an already existing space, such as a porch. This is often the easiest, most cost effective option. Most kits come with aluminum frames in standard sizes that fit together with glass or plastic windows.
Yet most of the time, when people consider a sunroom kit, they want to add a completely new space. The design options are much greater with this type of kit, but the cost is also significantly higher. Most of these sunroom kits cannot be constructed by the typical homeowner, so consider at least getting help to construct the major elements even if you plan on doing the finish work yourself.
There are hundreds of sunroom kit manufacturers, so take your time to shop around for the one that best fits your needs. Many manufacturers still have old fashioned showrooms, a fact you should take advantage of if you possibly can. Once you have examined a few models in person, try to narrow your options. If you plan on using a contractor, consult him before purchasing a kit to see if he has any insight into the best kit for your home.
Sunroom kits can be a fast and easy way to add to your home, but you should always take the time to do the proper research. Talk to manufacturers, contractors, and people who have constructed a sunroom to avoid any unnecessary pitfalls. Keep in mind that this sunroom should add light and happiness to your life, not make you feel as though you have a permanent rain cloud overhead.
