| When a patio is meant to provide more than | | | | climate - Sunrooms in certain geographical areas |
| seasonal shelter, there are considerations that | | | | require very little by way of environmental |
| need to come into play during the design phase. | | | | controls. For example, in the south, homeowners |
| Gas heaters, sunrooms and other environmental | | | | might be able to get away with only adding air |
| controls should be carefully balanced to provide | | | | conditioning for the hottest months. Northern |
| for maximum enjoyment and efficiency. | | | | homeowners might want to consider both gas |
| If there is a desire to ensure a sunroom can be | | | | heaters and air systems for maximum |
| used during rainstorms, on cold days and even in | | | | year-round enjoyment.o Decorating touches - |
| the middle of blizzards, special considerations need | | | | While these won't come into play until the final |
| to go into the planning. The issues that can come | | | | stage of preparation, they can lend themselves to |
| into play include:o The structural design - When | | | | helping make a room more weather proof. Heavy |
| gas heaters and air conditioning units are going to | | | | window treatments in the winter months, for |
| be included in a sunroom's design, it is important | | | | example, can help hold in heat. Blinds for super hot |
| to make sure that construction supports the use | | | | summer days can shade a sunroom and help |
| of such features. A sunroom flooring system, for | | | | keep it cooler. |
| example, might need to have air duct runs for | | | | When gas heaters, sunrooms and other |
| heat and air. The walling system, too, should offer | | | | environmental controls come together, |
| the insulation of double-paned glass windows. It's | | | | homeowners will find these additions can provide |
| also a good idea in this case to make certain that | | | | for year-round enjoyment. It is important to |
| knee-walls, if included, have some insulation. A | | | | consider the need for climate control at the onset |
| basic screen door should be replaced by an | | | | of the project though. Properly weatherizing after |
| insulated storm door at the very least. Electricity | | | | construction is completed can be a difficult |
| might also need to be included in the design.o The | | | | undertaking. |