Family sunrooms

A garden view, plenty of flight, and an indoor – outdoor feeling add up to the family sunroom. The rooms on these pages catch sunbeams into different ways- by converting patios and by adding on. Either way, the indoor – outdoor atmosphere relies on abundant use of windows or sliding glass doors.

Shown on this page or two “between” rooms –family rooms made from patio space between the house and the garage. The owner had to pour new foundations for their additions, and then fill in with windows and sliding glass doors to let in the sunlight.

On the next page, you’ll see two other kinds of sunrooms –a patio enclosed by French doors for an airy music alcove, and an energy saving solar addition.

When planning your own porch or patio conversion, remember that the may not be up to code. If you have to lay down a new one, the conversion may be as complicated as adding a new room. Installing insulation will have the room stay cool in summer and warm in winter. Heating ducts may be extended from the house for additional comfort. A fireplace –built in or freestanding- or a wood burning stove can also provide warmth, as well as a cozy ambience. And don’t forget to plan for additional lighting.

Once a breezeway

These screened in breezeway between house and garage is now an appealing family room. It’s built partly on the old patio foundation and partly on newly laid foundation. The architect called for four sets of sliding glass doors at the sides and rear of the room and designed an open ceiling with exposed beams to retain the sun filled, patio feeling. Track lights mounted on the crossbeams supplement the natural light. Brick patterned vinyl makes an easy to clean floor covering and adds to the outdoor look of the room.

This entry was posted on December 21, 2009 at December 21, 2009 and is filed under Home. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.