Tips for Buying a Sunroom
Do the miles before putting your feet up
Once you've decided to buy a sunroom, you would think the rest is easy. You've planned it into your home improvement budget, you've discussed it, dreamt about it and are looking forward to sitting out there and catching some rays while you enjoy your hobby or play with the kids. But now comes the hard part: trying to decide what kind, what size and what style. This article aims to give you some valuable tips for buying a sunroom, things you may not have considered to this point.
Fit the style of your house
It wouldn't do justice to the existing design of your house to add something on that simply doesn't co-ordinate. That's like putting a pink and white polka dot sweater over red and black plaid pants! It doesn't go!
You need to buy a sunroom that blends with the integral style of your home and is in keeping with the overall look. Too many sunrooms have that "just nail it on here" look. Some home owners tack it on to their house and hope for the best without any kind of foresight, and then they wonder why it sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb. Shop around, browse through catalogs, websites and home decorator magazines, and you'll come up with a shortlist that matches your home perfectly.
Fit the needs of your family
There are sunrooms, and there are sunrooms. Some are elegant, conservatory types, others are family-friendly, spacious, run-around-in types. While it's true that you do have to blend with the existing structure, you also have to buy a sunroom that will work with the way you live your life.
Write down a list of reasons why you want a sunroom and how it will be used, and you may even like to list the things you don't want such as too much glass.
Pricing
It's often a case of 'you get what you pay for'. When buying a sunroom, read the fine print. Some prices may include installation; some may only include partial installation. Some may require you to buy extra materials such as the glass itself for the windows. Ask as many questions as you need to, to ensure that you are buying within your budget, and don't set yourself up for unpleasant surprises.
Warranty
What does it cover? How long is it? Can you extend the warranty by paying extra? Does the warranty suit the requirements for where you live, such as allowing for the potential for damage from high winds, heavy snow or harsh sunlight? Read and understand the warranty before buying a sunroom.
Visit a showroom
Books, you can buy online. Sunrooms, you really need to see up close and personal before signing anything. Brochures give you a lifestyle feel for the product, but you also want to step outside the dream and into reality, and take a good look at the workmanship, the sturdiness and basically, the nuts and bolts of the room.
Inspections and permits
Find out from your local authorities what the requirements are for building. You should learn about this before buying a sunroom so that you can factor any costs into your budget and also so that you know what is permissible where you live. Grab all the forms you need and read them well before purchasing.
Visit home improvement expos
If there is a home show in your local area, go along and talk to sunroom retailers. There's bound to be more than one so you can compare prices, see full size versions and ask everything you need to, all in one place.