Sunroom (or Solarium) Great Living (or Recreational) Space

The Kellys rebuilt the screened-in porch of their Fairfax Station, VA home; replacing it with a sunroom.

"It definitely was worth it because we use the space so much more, and it's very relaxing to feel like you're outdoors without having to deal with the pollen," said Karen Kelly.

"I enjoy it more in the spring, summer and fall. It's nice because with all of the windows, it's like sitting outside, but it's climate-controlled, and it's quiet," Mrs. Kelly says.

A sunroom, also sometimes called a solarium, is an addition to a home comprised of glass panels designed to let in natural light while keeping out the elements.

"The first thing you have to decide is what you're going to do with a sunroom, whether you want to make it a living space or a leisure space," says Dean Schwartz, acting president of the National Sunroom Association.

"Adding a sunroom onto a home can cost from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the intended use", Mr. Schwartz says. "A living space has to be built to the same standards as a home with heating, cooling, electrical and lighting systems installed, while a recreational space does not need those systems", he says.

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Sunroom Living

For many homeowners, their sunroom becomes the setting for many of their daily activities. For some, it is the daily workout room, others enjoy breakfast and the paper, while others like to just sit and enjoy the outdoors without the intrusion of harsh weather and bugs. Many solariums are added as extensions to their family room, or den, offering a perfect setting for family gatherings. When it's just the two of you, it becomes the ideal place for a romantic dinner under the stars. Whatever you use your sunroom for, rest asssured that it will quickly become the most lived-in room in your house, offering serenity and protection against the rigors of daily life.

Sunrooms Combat Global Warming

There has been alot of talk about global warming and its affect on our weather. As the climate changes, it is becoming more and more important to make our homes better able to keep us comfortable, while being able to provide us with shelter from the coming heat. Many homeowners are discovering that a sunroom addition to their home is an affordable, and beautiful way to cope with the weather.

Vinyl sunrooms provide shelter from the heat while allowing the homeowner to enjoy the outdoors without bugs, or discomfort of the beating sun. Modern, space-age sunroom materials are effective in providing the comfort that your family deserves. While the earth may indeed be warming, you don't have to just sit back and feel the heat. An affordable sunroom may just be the answer for you.

Adaptable Sunroom & “Green” Screens Featured in Cornell University’s “Solar Home”.

Chris Werner was living in Washington, D.C. two years ago and he saw a home powered by solar energy on display on the National Mall. It was designed and built by students from Cornell University and was runner up in the 2005 Solar Decathlon Competition.

"I was so impressed I decided that sustainable housing was what I wanted to do and that Cornell would be the place for me to learn more about it," Werner said.

He enrolled in the Cornell College’s Architecture, Art and Planning's master of architecture program and is now on the student team creating a solar home for the 2007 Solar Decathlon.

"To make our house as energy efficient and thermally optimal as possible, every component was meticulously researched and analyzed," said Werner. "We considered properties such as recyclability, pollution potential, production waste and efficiency, and we used advanced energy modeling techniques to make decisions ranging from the size of the heat pump to the placement of windows."

Cornell’s entry features an 8-foot-long solarium with two parallel glass walls that open or close, creating an “instant” patio or sunroom; raised Tate floors that conceal plumbing, wiring and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) ducts; modular metal furniture; and touch-screen control of all systems.

Cornell’s “solar house” project is supported by grants from a range of Sponsors, including the United States Department of Energy, General Electric's Sun Division and Cornell University. It is expected that the house will be eventually sold.