Mar 22, 2023 | Florida Room, Sunroom
Glass patio enclosures, also known as sunrooms, are a perfect fit for the Sunshine State. Our office receives many calls with questions about these Florida rooms, so we thought we’d share some of the high points here.
In this article:
- We will determine exactly what these structures are.
- Explore their many benefits.
- Learn a few tips that will come in handy when you’re ready to build yours
The goal is to help you understand the appeal and enduring popularity of the sunroom glass-enclosed patio.
Why Build Glass Patio Enclosures
Defining Glass Patio Enclosures
You’ll hear it called a Florida sunroom, Florida room, sunroom, glass-enclosed patio, or glass porch enclosure. Whichever name it’s using, the concept is simple. A sunroom is a room under your home’s roofline or a new solid roof connected to your home. It has a frame of wood or metal and a solid floor. The result is a room addition that is fully climatized. The most popular element of a sunroom is the large windows that traditionally make up most of the structure’s walls. Consequently, the name – Glass Patio Enclosure.
Celebrating the Benefits of Sunrooms
There are so many fantastic reasons to add a sunroom to your Florida home:
- Sunrooms let you enjoy the natural beauty outside your door without leaving the comfort of your home.
- Florida rooms are an affordable way to add extra living space.
- Sunrooms boost your property value.
- A dedicated place to relax and unwind.
Tips for Building the Ideal Glass Patio Enclosure
When building a glass patio enclosure, consider the following:
- Contractors: The right sunroom contractor can help you design and build a top-quality custom sunroom that fits your space and needs perfectly.
- Budget: Constructing a sunroom is an affordable way to increase property value. A skilled contractor will explain how the cost of a sunroom breaks down and show you how to optimize your investment. Here’s a terrific place to start: Creating a budget when you’re ready to add a sunroom
- Size: The size of your addition will have a significant impact on how you can use it, its cost, and potential placements, so think carefully about how you want to use the room and how much space you’ll need.
- Location: If you’re enclosing an existing structure, this decision may already be made. If not, you’ll want to weigh things like traffic patterns inside and outside your home, property lines, utility connection, and the location of outbuildings and exterior features like pools or gardens.
- Materials: The materials that you choose can have a significant impact on how your new enclosure performs.
- Wood is gorgeous, but you’ll need to be ready to spend plenty of time sanding, sealing, staining, or painting if you want to keep it in decent condition.
- Florida sunrooms are best built using aluminum. Aluminum is a low-maintenance option that offers a variety of styles and colors.
- Sunroom Windows come in a diverse assortment of types, so you’ll have many choices.
These are the most important decisions to make. Whether you are focused on the price tag, privacy, or appearance, an experienced contractor can guide you through the possibilities.
It doesn’t matter whether you call them glass patio enclosures or sunrooms. What matters is ensuring that you ultimately get the quality custom enclosure that’s precisely what you want. With more than 50 years of experience designing and building all kinds of patio enclosures for Florida families and businesses, Dulando Screen & Awning knows how to deliver the perfect result. Contact us today.
Dec 16, 2021 | Florida Room, Sunroom
A sunroom is an awesome feature that offers real advantages. Often dubbed Florida rooms, they are more costly if starting from scratch. But it is possible to convert an existing covered patio or lanai and save money when building a sunroom. The process to convert a patio to a sunroom is easier than you think. When complete, a sunroom can even increase the energy efficiency of your property, boost your home’s value and increase your living space. Plus, they offer endless opportunities. You can use them to entertain, relax, eat, work, or do almost anything. Are you wondering how to convert a patio to a sunroom?
Explore the Possibilities
If you want to turn a patio to a sunroom, it makes sense to begin by finding out what’s possible. Talking to experts about your vision for your new space is an excellent starting point. At Dulando Screen & Awning, we offer free in-home design consultations. This includes visiting your home, reviewing the space and providing options to building your new sunroom. It’s important to know how you want to use the space, so we can make sure to include additional outlets, lighting or custom columns to match the architecture of your home.
Hire a Contractor
If you want a solid sunroom, hire a contractor with a solid reputation for quality craftsmanship. Ideally, you’ll want to choose a professional firm that’s licensed and insured with a lengthy history of using quality materials to deliver superior work. The right sunroom contractor will serve as your guide through the process. From design to build and beyond, they’ll work with you to see that you get a top-notch sunroom that offers great value for your investment and a great deal of pleasure for your family.
Approve a Design
Once you have the vision and a sunroom contractor, it’s time to get the details of your design worked out. With a custom design, you’re in control. Each sunroom or Florida room fits your particular needs and tastes. You’ll have plenty of factors to consider:
- Windows. Windows are a major influence in a sunroom. Thankfully, PGT windows offer WinGuard Hurricane Impact Windows. It’s important to keep Florida’s stormy weather and the occasional hurricane in mind. Should you opt for vinyl or glass? Both have pros and cons. As you’re designing the space, you’ll have numerous styles of windows to contemplate. You could even mix in sliding doors.
Additional Reading: Sunroom Windows: Choosing Between Acrylic, Glass & Vinyl
- Area. How much room do you need? If you’re converting a patio to a sunroom, you’re starting with a basic footprint. However, you may be able to expand that footprint if you want more room and your budget allows. Think about how you want to use the space. Your new sunroom should meet those needs.
- Special touches. As you’re thinking about using the space, consider what features will come in handy. Is lighting essential? How many outlets do you need? What kind of hardware is right for your new sunroom? What about flooring?
- Roof. Technically, if your goal is to convert a patio to a sunroom, you won’t need a roof. But what if you want to extend the room to provide more living space, there are so many options available. Both studio roofs and gable roofs are popular. What roofing material should you opt for? You can match the patio roof to the rest of your house or choose something complementary.
Watch the Construction
Once your design is approved and the contract is signed, it’s a matter of waiting for permitting and then construction to begin. If you’ve hired a reputable firm, you’ll be able to watch as skilled workers quickly and safely assemble your new sunroom. When they’re done, you’ll have a fantastic new space to enjoy.
Are you ready to convert a patio to a sunroom?
Dulando has been creating amazing sunrooms and screen rooms for Florida residents since 1968. We’ve serviced the surrounding Orlando area as well as Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach and as far south as Titusville. When you want to convert a patio to a sunroom, we’re ready to assist you. Contact us today to request your free in-home design consultation.
Sep 15, 2021 | Florida Room, Sunroom
At Dulando Screen & Awning, we love sunrooms, and we delight in answering questions about building a sunroom. To make it easier for people who are interested in adding a Florida room to their home, we’ve gathered our most popular sunroom FAQs from customers in one spot.
Top Sunroom FAQs
Why Build a Sunroom?
Sunrooms offer numerous benefits. They provide more living space. They offer an affordable way to increase the value of your property. They also bring the beauty of the outdoors inside while leaving annoyances like bugs, pollen, debris, and nosy neighbors outside.
Is a Custom Sunroom a Better Choice?
If you’re handy, a sunroom kit may seem like a fun project. However, these kits are cookie-cutter products. They won’t necessarily make the best use of your space or offer all features that you want the way that a custom design will. You may also find the process of installing them more challenging than you expected. After all, you’ll have to deal with both the mix of materials and tools and matters like permits and other legal considerations.
How Do I Select a Sunroom Contractor?
When you’re looking for a sunroom contractor to design and build your new custom sunroom, you’ll want to do a bit of homework to select the right professional. Start by looking at reviews and asking for references to find a contractor with a solid reputation for getting the job done properly. When you have a list, verify their professionalism. Finally, check the quality of their work. Luckily, Dulando’s service area covers Volusia County from Daytona Beach, Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach as well as Seminole & Orange Counties.
What are my Roofing Options for a Sunroom?
When you’re building a sunroom, what kind of roof should top it? That depends on your preferences and the materials that make up the roof of your home. When it comes to styles, gable and studio roofs are among the most popular. As for materials, aluminum is appreciated for its durability. Shingles are often preferred by homeowners who want their sunroom’s roof to match the rest of the house. Whether you live on the coast or the interior portions of central Florida, an aluminum roof is the best choice.
What Types of Sunroom Windows are Available?
Windows are essential in creating a sunroom’s open, airy feel, so you’ll want to use quality materials. The screens are a great place to start, and there are several options. Today’s screens can keep even the smallest pests out, ward off ultraviolet rays, improve privacy, and offer enhanced durability. You’ll simply need to keep your priorities in mind while selecting screening. What about the windows? One advantage of working with a reputable licensed contractor is that the windows they install will be properly up to code. That means that they’ll be rated for Florida’s famously windy weather.
What Factors Affect a Sunroom’s Price Tag?
Several things impact sunroom cost. These include its size, the materials used, and the way it connects to your home. The legal requirements for your location and the features and amenities that you add will also influence the price.
Do you have more questions about sunrooms? Ask us. Just give us a call at 407-862-6060.
If you’re ready to add a sunroom to your home, we hope these sunroom FAQs were helpful. If you want to discuss a project, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Reach out to Dulando Screen & Awning today. Remember, we cover most of Volusia County – especially the Port Orange and Edgewater areas as well as Seminole County & Orange County. From Orlando to Daytona Beach, we can help you build a sunroom!
Aug 9, 2021 | Florida Room, Sunroom
At first glance, a sunroom enclosure seems like a fairly simple room addition. However, when you’re building a sunroom, you’ll find yourself with plenty of features to ponder. If you’d like to get a head start on your planning, here’s a look at some of the most popular sunroom features.
Sunroom Enclosure Features
Sunroom Screens
The days of one-size-fits-all screens are long gone. Modern screens are marvels that offer all kinds of perks. Whether you want extra privacy, extra durability, or extra protection from the sun or insects, there’s a screen designed to deliver that. At Dulando Screen & Awning, we always use high-quality screening products from Phifer. When combined with our meticulous craftsmanship, you get excellent results.
Sunroom Windows
What about windows for your patio sunroom enclosure? Glass isn’t the only option. When it comes to sunroom windows, you have a few popular choices:
- Glass. Glass is durable, resists scratches, and is an excellent insulator. However, it’s heavy, can shatter, and can be expensive.
- Acrylic. Thin panels of rigid clear plastic, acrylic windows are light and affordable. They’ll withstand many hits, and if they do happen to break, they’re less dangerous than shattered glass. However, they do tend to yellow over time when exposed to UV light.
- Vinyl. Vinyl panels are lightweight, clear, and shatter-proof. If they’re bent out of shape, these durable windows quickly pop back. Plus, their color stays true under UV light’s glare.
Sunroom Roof Options
Unless you’re building a sunroom under your existing roof, you have a couple of sunroom roof options to consider. First, what style of roof do you want? Should you go for a gable? Would a studio suit your structure better?
There’s also the question of materials. Shingles and aluminum are popular picks. At Dulando, we recommend Structall’s insulated aluminum roof panels. These versatile panels sandwich a foam core inside a top-quality aluminum exterior. The result is a roofing system that installs quickly, resists pests, and requires little maintenance. It also provides delightful insulation from both sound and heat, so your patio sunroom stays more comfortable.
Sunroom Space
Your Florida room addition should add to your overall living space not detract from it. That means you’ll want to think carefully about how it fits with the existing structure and the traffic flow in and around it. You’ll also want to think about how much space you devote to your new sunroom addition. Consider how you intend to use the room. Think about how much space you’ll need for those purposes. Be sure to balance those plans against the physical area available and your budget and design considerations.
Sunroom Special Touches
Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. If you dream of relaxing by watching television in your sunroom while a ceiling fan spins lazily overhead, you’ll want to make sure that you have enough electrical outlets installed in the addition. If you want to be able to let yourself in and out via a keyed door, the hardware at the entrance may be a priority for you. Working with an experienced contractor who is ready to guide you through the process of designing and building a custom sunroom can help you find the perfect fit of fun and function for your family.
Are you ready for a sunroom enclosure?
When you want to create the sunroom enclosure of your dreams, Dulando is ready to assist you. Reach out to us today to schedule your free in-home design consultation.
Jun 17, 2021 | Florida Room, Sunroom
Living on the Florida coast near New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater and Port Orange, homeowners love their Sunrooms! But it’s more than keeping up with the Jones, it’s a way of life. If you’re thinking about building a sunroom, then you’ve probably read lots of websites that discuss the cost of building a Florida sunroom. Of course, that means you’re now concerned about the Florida sunroom cost. Therefore, it’s only natural to focus on ways to save money. Here are a couple of different approaches to how you can save on a Florida room addition.
Some people will get caught up on the project’s initial price tag. Others are more forward-thinking in their mindset. They recognize that spending a bit more on features that can reduce your maintenance costs, create a more energy-efficient space, or extend the longevity of your new sunroom can save you money in the long run.
Factors That Affect the Florida Sunroom Cost
When you decide to build a custom sunroom, a number of factors can impact the cost of your addition:
- The size of the sunroom. A larger sunroom will cost more than a smaller sunroom.
- The way the room connects to the rest of the home. Using an existing entrance is generally more affordable, but creating an entrance is an option. You’ll also need to consider the impact the sunroom’s presence will have on exterior features like electric meters and other utilities.
- Whether a pre-existing patio or porch is utilized. If an existing patio or lanai covering can provide the foundation and/or the roof, it will reduce the cost of a new sunroom.
- The materials used in the sunroom’s construction. Top-quality materials are more expensive, but they often provide greater durability, longer lifespans, and reduced maintenance requirements. Be careful of sunroom contractors who want to use lesser quality building materials that may not pass inspection. The State of Florida has strict building guidelines for all home additions.
- The sunroom’s electrical requirements. Whether your new sunroom is under an existing roofline or a brand-new build, adding electrical outlets is an additional cost. Exterior of homes do not typically have electrical outlets.
- The sunroom’s heating and cooling requirements. Part of a Florida sunroom cost is to climatize the new room. When adding a new room to your home, you will have to determine if your current climate control system can handle the new room. If not, then climate control is another additional cost that makes the space more livable.
- The custom amenities. Any extras that you request will add to the bill and increase your sunroom cost. These can include skylights, ceiling fans, custom windows and so much more. You can go as big or as small as your budget allows.
- The building code requirements for the area. Building codes, permitting processes and their respective fees vary by locality.
- Your sunroom contractor. Opting for a budget contractor might seem like a way to save money. However, working with an experienced sunroom contractor has real advantages. Dulando has experience working in the Orlando area and also Volusia County from New Smyrna to Ormond Beach and everywhere in between. They’re willing to put that knowledge to work on your behalf. They can guide you smoothly through the design phase, pointing out products that are effective and places where you can save without compromising on the quality of your sunroom. They also know how to put the pieces together and build a custom sunroom that will serve you well for years.
Building a Sunroom with Dulando Screen & Awning
At Dulando Screen & Awning, we bring more than 50 years of experience in serving our fellow Floridians. We delight in working with our customers to design custom sunrooms that fit their lifestyles, their homes and their budgets. To accomplish that, we use only high-quality materials, and we also insist on meticulous craftsmanship. You can be sure that everything we produce is built with proper care and attention to detail.
Adding a sunroom is a fantastic way to add value and space to your home. To explore the possibilities or learn more about the cost of adding a sunroom, reach out to Dulando Screen & Awning today for an in-home design consultation.
Feb 16, 2021 | Florida Room, Sunroom
Your new sunroom has quickly become your happy place. How can you keep it looking fresh year after year? We also understand you don’t want to cut too deeply into the time that you get to spend enjoying this space. Therefore, performing a little sunroom maintenance on a regular basis will do the trick. These tips will help.
Tip 1: Be Gentle
Sunrooms are made of a mix of materials, and some are more durable than others. However, a gentle approach is always best. Avoid using a power washer or other harsh tools that might scratch finishes or tear materials. Instead, choose nonabrasive cleansers for your sunroom cleaning. Glass cleansers or warm water and mild detergents are generally safe. You can also check your manufacturer’s recommendations for your type of windows or screens for specific guidance.
Tip 2: Avoid Weighty Matters
Don’t put weight on your sunroom’s screened walls. Likewise, windows made of glass or Florida glass aren’t designed to bear weight from a ladder or a person. What about your sunroom’s roof? Most sunroom roofs aren’t built to withstand a lot of weight. Unless you’re sure that your structure can handle it, it’s best to avoid walking on the roof of your sunroom. A good pressure cleaning will take care of the roof without having to walk on it.
Tip 3: Keep Your Gutters Going
While you’re cleaning the roof, don’t forget about the gutters. The gutters on your house are angled slightly to move the water toward your downspouts. Depending on your roof slope, some gutters may angle down while others are level. That means standing water can hang around. This can set the stage for various unpleasantries that you don’t want lingering near your sunroom. Cleaning your gutters regularly removes any debris or standing water and eliminates the worry.
Tip 4: Choose a Cloudy Day for Cleaning Sunroom Windows
Florida may be famous for its sunshine, but cloudy skies are the best when you want to clean vinyl sunroom windows. Completing sunroom maintenance on a grayer day helps you avoid glare, making it easier to see. It also means that your cleaning solution doesn’t dry quite as quickly. This can help you avoid ugly streaks that would tarnish your view.
Tip 5: Mind Your Landscaping
Sunrooms blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. However, you’ll still want to trim and maintain the landscaping that surrounds your sunroom. If you don’t, branches from trees and bushes can cause scratches and tears. Leaves and debris can clog gutters. Pollen can stain. It’s best to trim the bushes and trees around and above the sunroom.
Tip 6: Consider Window Treatments
Is too much sun causing premature fading of the finishes and fixtures inside your sunroom? Window treatments may offer a solution. Blinds or curtains allow you to control how much sunshine reaches the space. An added benefit of windows treatments is they also offer greater privacy.
Tip 7: Check for Leaks
Your sunroom maintenance routine is the perfect time to check for leaks. Water damage is always easier and less expensive to fix when found earlier in the damage process. Look for water spots in the ceiling or discoloration in the windows and screens.
Click here if you’re looking for screen enclosure cleaning tips.
Are you ready to enhance your outdoor living space with a custom sunroom or Florida room? Turn to the experts at Dulando Screen & Awning. We’d be delighted to work with you to build the perfect enclosure for your home. Contact us today at 407-862-6060 to schedule a free in-home design consultation.
