Part 1: Outline the characteristics and benefits of a 4-season sunroom.
At first glance, a three- season and four-season sunroom may look very similar. However, there are a few key differentiators – namely the framing system and glass used – that make them different. If you’re interested in learning more about sunrooms and which is best for you and your home, read on to discover the key differentiators and benefits of a four-season sunroom:
Four-Season Use
Not surprisingly, four-season sunrooms are built for all four seasons, which requires both heating and cooling. This is done by building the sunroom with insulated glass and a thermally engineered frame for ease of cost-effective heating and cooling. As four-season sunrooms are temperature controlled, it’s easy for homeowners to use these sunrooms during any time of the year – rain, snow, or shine.
Engineering
Four-season usage requires special materials needed for construction of four-season sunrooms. Typically, there are two available choices when building a four-season sunroom: vinyl, with steel and aluminum reinforcement, and aluminum. Both of these thermally engineered materials enable the sunroom to be cooled and heated cost-effectively year-round. In addition to thermally engineered frames, dual insulated glass panes are installed in four-season sunrooms to prevent airflow.
Design & Layout
When constructing a four-season sunroom, it’s important to connect the heating and air conditioning to the HVAC and heater of the main home. Designers must keep this in mind when constructing a four-season sunroom, otherwise the area will not be temperature controlled. If you want a specific placement of your sunroom that cannot be attached to the cooling and heating functions of your home, a three-season sunroom may be a better fit, as these sunrooms do not have to be connected to the main home’s heating and cooling systems.
Overall Cost
The high-quality of materials needed to build a four-season sunroom is reflected the overall cost. As four-season sunrooms are typically more expensive than three-season sunrooms, you can expect to spend nearly double what a three-season sunroom costs.
Is a Four-Season Sunroom Right for You?
Choosing between a four-season and three-season sunroom can be difficult and depends on your home and lifestyle needs. If you are planning on using your sunroom all year round and don’t mind paying the extra for thermally engineered materials, a four-season sunroom is the perfect choice for you. Before you decided one way or the other, ask yourself these questions to help prioritize your needs:
- How often do I plan on using the space? If you feel the need to use your sunroom during the winter months, a four-season sunroom is a good choice!
- How much can I spend on a sunroom? As four-season sunrooms are more costly than three-season sunrooms, make sure it fits within your budget.
- How quickly do I need my sunroom built? If you are working with no time constraints, a four-season sunroom construction would work well, as these sunrooms typically take longer to construct than three-season sunrooms.
For customers in the Midwest, we highly recommend a four-season sunroom since winter elements render a three-season sunroom area useless without thermally constructed materials. Still interested in researching more about three-season sunrooms? Contact one of the members of our expert team and check back for our Part 2: Three-Season Sunrooms later in the month.
