Once you’ve taken the decision to install a Desert Sun Patio sunroom this winter, you’ll be faced with a wide range of choices to make sure that you get exactly the room you need and desire. One of the biggest decisions that you’ll need to make is about the construction and makeup of your sunroom roof. Here are some of the questions that you should be asking your sunroom contractor to get the most out of your Desert Sun Patio sunroom:
Should I have a studio or a gable roof?
A studio roof is a flat roof, while a gable roof has an A-frame structure. Most Calgary sunrooms are the studio style as they fit any home, a gable roof helps the snow roll off and provides more ventilation, however, the increased height doesn’t always work with the shape of your house and can be more costly. A studio roof offers a lower profile, which is particularly beneficial for smaller homes or on second stories.
How many skylights do I need?
One of the biggest selling points of a Desert Sun Patio sunroom is the massive increase in the levels of natural light in your home. With all that glass a skylight is not needed, however, some people love to look up and see sunshine through, so the question is “how many are too many?” With either roof, you’ll want to make sure you have an equal number on both sides, and the typical guidance is for one 3 foot wide skylight for every 10 feet of ceiling space. The bigger your sunroom, the more skylights you can have.
What thickness of solid roof should I have?
Finally, you need to talk about solid sunroom roof panels. A solid roof is made up of a series of laminated roof panels that are made with polystyrene foam centers. Each panel is covered with tempered aluminum stress-skins which makes them pretty much invincible against even the harshest Calgary winter storm. They snap together tightly which create a solid protective surface. The big question is about the thickness of the roof panels. At Desert Sun Patio, they come in 3, 4 and 6-inch thicknesses. The insulative properties of the panels increase as the thickness increases, as does the overall cost involved. Your sunroom consultant will discuss what’s best for your room, which will take in the direction it faces, tree cover from your yard and how exposed that side of the house is.
Armed with these questions, you’ll quickly have productive conversations that will get you the perfect sunroom just in time for winter. Discussing the options with someone else ahead of time will clarify what it is important to you, especially if you’re working on a tight budget. These decisions will help you save money in some areas while making sure that you invest in a roof that will last for the years to come.
