Jul 22, 2017 | Patio Enclosures, Sunroom
If you enjoy nature, you may want to add a screened enclosure or sunroom to your home to experience the outdoors from a protected spot. Both screened enclosures and sunrooms expand your living area into the backyard, yet provide protection from mosquitoes, other critters and rain. Which one appeals most to you depends on your lifestyle, budget and how you plan to use the space. Hopefully, by outlining the benefits of each, you’ll be able to make a decision between a backyard patio enclosure and sunroom.
Benefits of a Screen Patio Enclosure
In climates like Florida’s with pleasant weather most of the year, screened patios can serve as a multi-purpose activity area. Building a patio will help you relax, entertain and enjoy nature. Children can use it as a playroom when it’s raining or too hot to play in the sun. Whatever the use, a screened-in porch serves as a transition zone between the inside and outside.
A screened-in patio typically has a roof, a door from the main house to the porch and a door from the porch to the outside. If you already have a patio, you can use that as a foundation. The screen is installed around the three sides of the porch to create a patio enclosure.
Screened patios are relatively inexpensive to build. Primary building materials may include an aluminum frame with screen, concrete or brick pavers for the floor and aluminum panels or shingles for the roof. Floors of a patio screen enclosure can be any of a variety of materials, such as concrete, brick, tile or stone. Screened-in porches are not air-conditioned or heated. They may include a ceiling fan and lights, which require some electrical work. You may also want to install additional electrical outlets to run other equipment, but this depends on how you plan to use the space.
Screened enclosures cannot be used year-round. Seasonal cold weather or blowing rain makes them uncomfortable. Furniture needs to be protected during the humidity of the summer months and the sun if you have them near the screen. However, using Phifer Solar Screens cuts radiation and protects furniture and belongings. Adding roll-up curtains also protects from rain and sun.
Benefits of a Patio Sunroom
Sunrooms are also called four-season rooms because they are protected from the elements and can be used year-round. Rather than screens forming the walls, the sides have windows made of acrylic, vinyl or glass. Patio Sunrooms provide additional protection from heat and cold all year long. The large windows optimize the amount of light entering the room. Windows can be opened to enjoy the breezes when the weather isn’t too hot or cold. Sunrooms are usually heated and air-conditioned.
Although a patio sunroom can be used throughout the year, they take you further away from the natural environment. The sunroom feels more like being indoors. In addition, the intense light adds heat to space. This can make it uncomfortable to use during the hottest times of day and expensive to cool.
Building a sunroom can be double the cost of a screened enclosure. However, creating a sunroom from an existing screened-in porch lowers costs because the sunroom is already underneath the home’s roof structure. To reduce air conditioning and heating costs, double-pane windows are usually installed, which also increases the price.
Ultimately, the decision about whether to build a screen patio enclosure or sunroom is yours. If you want to be more intimately connected with nature and keep costs down, enclosing a patio will do just fine. If you want an all-season room that expands your living space, then building a sunroom makes sense. Whichever option you choose, make sure to also choose a patio contractor.
Dulando Screen & Awning can work with you to come up with design ideas for your patio enclosure or sunroom that complement the architecture and landscaping of your property. Call us today at 407-862-6060 or fill out our online form for a free estimate. One of our design consultants will be happy to meet with you and discuss the many options available to you. Our goal is to create an additional living space for you and your family to enjoy for years to come.
Apr 24, 2017 | Sunroom
Whether you call it a Florida room, a sunroom or a Florida sunroom, building one of these room additions can expand your living space. Florida rooms make it easier to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors comfortably and increase your home’s value. I’m sure you’re not surprised when we tell you that “How much does a Florida room cost?” is the number one question we receive.
That answer varies widely depending on the particulars of the project. We’ve outlined a few factors that influence the price tag of a sunroom addition.
The Starting Point
At its most basic, a Florida room requires a floor, walls, windows and a roof. When building a Florida room from the ground up, you’ll need to build all of these features. When trying to determine a Florida room cost, you’ll have to factor in the cost of the materials and labor required to do so. However, starting with a blank slate does allow you a fair amount of freedom in matters like size, placement and design.
If you have an existing patio, you have a head start on your new Florida room. How does converting an existing structure affect the cost of building a Florida room? While the transformation will require some additional foundation work, your savings can be substantial. When converting an existing patio to a Florida room, you already have the foundation, floor and roof. All you need to add is framing for the walls and windows and maybe some additional electrical outlets.
The Size of a Florida Room
Bigger isn’t always better, but it is generally more expensive. Since a larger Florida room tends to require more materials and additional hours of labor to complete, the price tag will be a bit heftier. When deciding how large your new addition should be, think about how you intend to use the space, your budget, and the scale of your home and yard.
The Roof
When building a Florida room, you’ll be able to choose from several roofing options. Some homeowners choose to top their new addition with an awning. While they are less expensive to purchase, they aren’t as durable as other kinds of roofs. Although they cost a bit more upfront, aluminum roof panels or traditional shingles may be a better buy in the long run.
The Windows
Since they make up the bulk of the walls, windows are a major consideration in the construction of a Florida room. Acrylic window panels are less expensive and lighter. However changes in temperature can lead to bowing, exposure to ultraviolet rays can trigger yellowing and acrylic is easy to scratch. Glass windows are pricier and heavier, but they provide more insulation and increased durability over time.
The Amenities
Some Florida rooms are extremely simple. Others come equipped with marvelous design features like cathedral ceilings, ornate trims, heated floors and gorgeous fountains. Many fall somewhere in the middle with amenities like ceiling fans, lights and electrical outlets. Does a Florida room cost more when more bells and whistles are incorporated into its design? It does, but working with an experienced designer can help you to get the most bang for your buck.
Additional Reading: Building a Sunroom
What does your perfect Florida room look like? Whether you have a clear image or the picture is a little fuzzy, Dulando Screen & Awning can help you bring it to life. With our experience and commitment to quality, you can count on us to create something that you and your family will be able to enjoy for years. Contact us today at 407-862-6060 to explore our services and request a free quote.
Apr 21, 2015 | Florida Room, Sunroom
The beaches draw people to Florida each year to take in the coastal breezes and enjoy the abundant sunshine. Florida’s weather and friendly atmosphere are what keep people from leaving the Sunshine State, and they want to take advantage of coastal living 24 hours a day. Building a Florida room or sunroom is one way to bring the outdoors inside regardless of the heat.
Convert a Patio to a Sunroom
A sunroom, also called a Florida room, is a living space that is attached to the house and accessible from indoors. It not only brings in more sunshine but also improves the view of your surroundings. A Florida sunroom comes with many options to improve the experience, such as heating and cooling for year-round enjoyment.
Converting a patio to a Florida sunroom makes the most sense as the foundation and the outlining structure is already in place. If you already have a patio enclosure under your roofline, there is a major cost saving when building a Florida room. By using the existing patio you will not have to build an add-on which will help you save money
Two of the main materials we use for windows are clear vinyl windows and glass. They offer strength, insulation and durability and hold up well in Florida’s extreme weather.
Why is Building a Sunroom a Good Idea?
No matter how many windows you have in your home, a Florida room lets in even more sunshine, which illuminates the interior space and reduces the need for lighting during the day. Florida Sunrooms also provide panoramic views, making you feel like you’re outside without having to deal with direct sunlight and insects. Even if you want to leave the patio sunroom windows open, our Phifer insect screening improves the airflow while keeping the bugs out.
If you convert a patio to a sunroom, you’ll reduce your maintenance chores throughout the year. The coastal breezes can stir up debris and send it flying onto your porch, and random critters can invade your patio and make a mess of things during the night. With a sunroom, you’ll never have to bring in your patio cushions when it storms or deal with staining and sealing the floor. You can just set up your living space and enjoy it without all the fuss.
Additional Reading: Building a Florida Room
Enhance Your Home With a New Florida Sunroom
If you want to increase your living space and expand your view, let DuLANDO turn your patio into a cozy sunroom. A sunroom adds usable square footage, which translates to increased resale value. You can also design it any way you want and add a hot tub to create a more intimate, relaxing space.
Let us show you how easy it is to transform your patio into a functional room you can enjoy for years. Schedule an appointment with one of our design consultants who will help you visualize your new Florida room. Call us at 407-862-6060 or fill out our online request a quote form.
