When it comes to sunrooms, you can’t make a bad choice if you’re using it for spring, summer and autumn. The big windows will let all the Calgary sunlight in, and the small size of the space will trap the heat to keep you warm well into the night hours. Winter is a different proposition in the city however, and you’ll need a sunroom that is able to stand up to the harsh temperatures and heavy snowfall that come with the turning of the seasons. This is where you’ll want to talk with your sunroom contractor about a four season sunroom.
Features Of A Four Season Sunroom
A four season sunroom is exactly what it sounds like: a sunroom that is specifically designed to be used year round as an entertaining or eating space. The features that make it suitable for winter use in Calgary include:
- Connection to your HVAC system – the biggest difference that you’ll notice when you’re talking through the design for your four season sunroom is that it’s designed to be retrofitted into your current HVAC system. This means that even on the coldest days, you’ll be able to keep the sunroom at a pleasant temperature without having to resort to extra (and expensive) room heating options like a pellet stove or a space heater.
- Multiple glazes – your four season sunroom should come with a wide range of thermally engineered design options to trap heat in during the day for slow release at night. One of the easiest pieces are double, or in some cases triple, glazed windows. The extra layers of glass allow the sun’s heat to be trapped between them. During the winter, this means that the cold air from outside will be mostly excluded from your room, meaning you’ll lose less energy in heating costs.
- Double wall insulation – the other major difference between a three season and a four season sunroom is that the gap between the double walls in a four season room is wide enough to allow a variety of insulation options. Just like multiple layers of glass glazing, wall insulation provides another barrier against the frigid temperatures of winter. You’ll want to talk to your sunroom contractor about insulation density and material options to make sure you’re making your four season sunroom as energy efficient as possible.
Benefits Of A Four Season Sunroom
It’s clear to see that investing in a four season sunroom can help your whole home to become more energy efficient. You’ll also find that by making one smaller space comfortable and warm all winter long, you’ll spend more time there. This in turn means that you can reduce your heating in the other communal areas of the house. Winter is also home to multiple holidays, including Christmas and New Years, as well as big sporting events like the Stanley Cup Finals. Having an extra entertaining space with beautiful views out over the winter wonderland will make your house the place to be all season long.
