Is There a Maximum Amount of Glass That Can Be Used in a Sunroom?
When most people think about sunrooms, the first feature that comes to mind is probably the windows. After all, they’re called sunrooms for a reason. By creating a bright, open space with expansive views, these unique structures provide outdoor-like ambiance in an environment protected from rain, wind, insects, and temperature extremes. But what if you want to make your sunroom as immersive as possible, with unobstructed views just about everywhere you look? Is there a limit to the amount of glass that can be used in your new addition?
Building Limitations Are Few
In terms of construction, there are no coding regulations that would restrict the amount of glass installed in a sunroom. As long as the enclosure is structurally sound, a sunroom can be virtually all glass – glass walls, glass roof, glass doors – held together by a slim but sturdy framework usually made of aluminum, although vinyl and wooden frames are also popular. Solariums and conservatories are the two types of sunrooms that have the highest proportion of glass. Although the distinction between these two often varies depending on who you ask, generally speaking solariums have a sleek, modernistic design featuring a sloped roof and rounded corners, whereas a conservatory has a more traditional look, with a peaked roof and decorative elements such as finials and spires. Both of these enclosures are attached to the home and can be accessed through an inside door, as opposed to a free-standing structure such as a greenhouse.
Practical Considerations
While there are no significant restrictions as far as construction goes, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to mostly-glass sunrooms. First, they’re costly. In fact, a glass-roofed sunroom can be more than twice as much as a sunroom with a solid roof. Secondly, all that glass requires a good deal of maintenance in order to keep it looking good. Expect the outside to need cleaning at least twice a year, more if you have a dense tree canopy overhead. Thirdly, glass is not a particularly good insulator, so keeping your sunroom comfortable year-round may be a challenge. And lastly, an abundance of sunlight may be great for growing plants, but it can become overwhelming during the brightest time of day. Retractable ceiling shades are a good way to control light levels inside a solarium or conservatory.
At Pacific Patio, we’ve been the home addition experts in Southern California since 1989, having installed thousands of custom-made TEMO sunrooms in San Diego and surrounding communities. If you would like to learn more about any of the premium products and services we offer, contact us today and schedule a no-obligation consultation with one of our representatives.