Sun Room Design Guide
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An extension to add value and enjoyment to your home
Sun Lounges / Sun Room are one of the most popular home improvement choice and with good reason. A room with a thousand uses, any time, day or night, winter or summer.
When formed to make a junction between the outdoor garden area and the indoor living area, it is ideal for extending the use of the garden during the summer months.
Providing shade during the day and warmth during the evenings makes it perfect for family gatherings, entertaining, holiday celebrations or just plain quiet time. Lay back and enjoy the great outdoors...indoors!
Sun Lounge v Conservatory
The difference between a Sun Lounge and a Conservatory is basically the use of a glass roof on a conservatory and a tiled or slated roof on a Sun Lounge. The difference may be slight but the choice has fundamental consequences to when, how long and for what purpose the additional room can be used for.
Conservatories are prone, during sunny summer days, to overheating and cool down quickly in the evenings. During the winter months the lack of heat retention within the structure means that the extension is normally little above the outside temperature.
Sun Lounges / sun rooms built with tiled or slatted roofs are better insulated than their counterparts, therefore the range of temperature difference is reduced allowing a longer time that the Sun room can be used. The roof would be well insulated, large double glazed windows areas and insulated floors all contribute to an extension that can be used at any time of the year.
For a room with a difference, a Sun room is the one that is warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer but with all the benefits of a conservatory.
- Tiled or slate roof
- Hipped ceiling
- Timber or plastered finish
A place to relax, a light and airy work room, somewhere for the kids to play, or a room in which to make your guests feel welcome - a Sun Lounge will give you more room for living - but living in style!
Today's structurally designed and custom-built Sun Lounges are a far cry from the old "lean-to" of yesteryear. Sturdily and beautifully built in PVC-U or hard wood, the Sun Lounge becomes an integral part of your home, adding character convenience and value.
Designing Your Sun Lounge / Sun Room.
The following check list can help to make sure you get the Sun Lounge / Sun Room that suits your needs perfectly.
- Function - What will your Sun Lounge be used for? Will it be in use all year round? Will it be used mostly in early morning, midday, evenings? For dining, sitting, children playing, displaying plants?
- Position - Depending on the use of your Sun Lounge you need to plan the best position. Which room should it connect to? Which direction should it face? (For morning or evening sun or the best views of the garden)
- Size & Shape - How large should it be? Which shape will make the best use of the space and the site?
- Appearance - What style best suits your house? What will it look like from the inside and outside? Will it enhance the looks and value of the property?
- Security - What level of security is required? Will it match that of the rest of your house?
- Heating & Ventilation - If the Sun Lounge is to be used all year round, will it require heating?
- Maintenance - How easy will it need to be to clean & maintain inside and out?
- Planning Permission - Do you need approval? Sun Lounges generally do, planning guides are available from your local planning office.
- Building Control Approval - Sun lounges require Building Control approval.
An example of a Sun Lounge added to the rear of a dwelling
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This sun lounge incorporates the kitchen and dining areas on the ground floor and an additional bedroom on the first floor. The wrap round windows on the ground floor provides views over the patio and garden areas. |
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The first floor provides an additional bedroom within the roof structure incorporating two dormer windows and three Velux windows. |
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