Sunroom Roofs

A sunroom can have a regular roof like that of a house or can have a roof that has been designed to give the sunroom an open sky room looks. Glass is used in the roof which gives additional light and brightness to the room and of course one can admire the night sky without leaving the house. Glass roofs are a good addition in winters however in the summers one does not want the room to get so hot that it is virtually unusable. Modern day sunrooms can have a dual roof with glass and sliding panels that keep the heat out of the room.

If one wants they can build a sunroom from scratch or if there is a porch with the house it can be converted into a sunroom. The first thing would be to decide on the design of the sunroom and then getting the required material for it. One could build the sunroom from an available design or get an architect to draw up a design. Once the design and construction instruction plans have been firmed up the building of the sunroom can start.

The sunroom roof design is perhaps the key most significant part of the overall plan. The roof has to be able to bear the load of snow that may accumulate on it. It is therefore of primary importance to calculate this. Any mistake in this calculation could have drastic results. The roof angle its structure and load bearing weights have all to be taken into account.

As most sunroom roofs have glass in them which are fitted in frames there will be some wear and tear that will require repair. First of all the damaged area should be examined from the outside and inside to determine the amount of repair work required. Care should be taken when inspecting the outside damage as the pillars and glass of the sunroom sides cannot take heavy loads against them. If a glass pane is broken it will have to be replaced and if the sealant of the glass panes have got cracks then it will be easy to scrap and replace them. If the damage is extensive then consult a building engineer.

A sunroom may have a straight forward single or double roof or it could be something as complex as a gambrel roof. This design of roof has many angles and joints and whereas it adds to the beauty of the sunroom it is quite a job to build one.

A sunroom can have a conventional roof or it could be a glass roof or even a plastic dome. Having glass roofs allows maximum sunlight to enter the sunroom and in the warmer weather shades can be drawn to minimize the light entering the room. Sliding panels as a second roof can also be built and they can be motorized so that they can easily be opened and closed.

In earlier designs the roof of a sunroom would be like the conventional roof of the house. But with glass being made stronger and break proof its usage in construction in all buildings has increased. It has found its way into the roofing of the sunrooms also. It is popularly used to provide maximum sunlight in winters and a lovely view at night of the stars and the moon. Moonlight entering a room always does give the room a romantic effect.

So the design and structure of a sunroom is not about just installing glass windows and enclosing an area it is about creating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. It is not a room to be abandoned in summers and used in winters. Where ever they are they are now a part of the house to be used throughout the year.