In case you’re wondering, one thing that distinguishes the sunroom from an enclosed patio is the use of glass.  The whole point with sunroom ideas is to “let the sun shine”…just like the song!  Sunroom windows are specially designed to keep the space cool and allow light to pass.  Similar in design to those used for greenhouses or conservatories, these windows make a huge difference to the comfort level felt within the room.  If you’ll be building your own sunroom, this is a big consideration to keep in mind.

Sunroom Windows

As you can see, these sunroom windows will allow quite a bit of sunlight to fill your space. You know it will be warm. The key is to use efficient windows and insulation to ensure your sunroom is as comfortable as possible.

As mentioned, there are windows and there are windows.  If you truly want your sunroom to be comfortable, this means energy efficiency.  While wooden and aluminum metal window frames and construction are the most common, there is a better option to examine – polyvinyl choride (PVC) windows.  This material has some distinct advantages over wood, metal and even other vinyl options.

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In the best of the best, you’ll find environmentally friendly polyurethane foams used.  Polyurethane foam-filled extrusion windows have been shown to provide superior insulation.  Combine this with a type of frame assembly known as fusion welding in the joints and what you end up with is a nearly air tight window assembly – just what you want!

One more place where the air can leak in is around the window assembly itself.  If you’re doing this insulation yourself, make sure to use a proper weather stripping.  If you have a contractor doing the work, ask them to tell you what level of protection they use in terms of the weather stripping.  Some companies and contractors skimp on these most important elements.  There’s almost no such thing as over-kill when it comes to these insulation features.

Finally, the type of glass you select is important.  Low-E glass is a good step.  However, as the technology continues to evolve, more products have come to market that go further than just having a single special coating.  Now, there are triple layers and more, combined with Argon gas-filled space to give these windows the best energy efficiency properties to date.  You’ll enjoy warmer winters and cooler summers with these higher end products.  If you prefer quality and plan on staying in your home, then the investment in the windows for your sunroom will be well worth it.

Sunroom Furniture

Just as with our discussion of front porch designs, the furniture you use is part of the design process and decor.  In fact, some people will design the room around their favorite sunroom furniture.  These pieces could include things like Adirondack chairs, chaise lounges and other comfortable outdoor patio furniture that is as inviting and comfortable as it is attractive.

If you choose to make yours more of an outdoor room, then you’ll have to consider the type of flooring, tables, rugs and lighting that you’ll include.  If your room is fully enclosed, you can use more exotic hardwood flooring options.  One of the more popular and trending flooring styles is using exotic woods, like Ipe, redwood or teak.

Sunroom Ideas

Some of the more common sunroom ideas include wooden, vinyl or even aluminum designs.  These can all be used to create great game rooms, patio rooms, a home office, garden or even a spa or exercise room.  It is also possible to create an outdoor kitchen or dining area – all enclosed, of course.  These are just some ideas to consider.

Pictures of Sunrooms

Below, you’ll find different pictures of sunrooms with a variety of designs and ideas for how they might be used for your home.  Enjoy!

This is the 'before' picture of a sunroom addition. This extension provides a great space, even though you can tell how large it is.	This sunroom addition added a fairly significant amount of usable square footage. Notice how the design kept it in theme with the rest of the home.
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This sunroom took advantage of a small space and utilized some built-in seating/beds to create a very functional and contemporary space.	One of the keys to a comfortable sunroom is making sure that it is insulated well enough. Unless you buy or build one from a kit, this step will keep your space much more comfortable.
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This modern sunroom design is characterized by these efficient windows and exit to the patio.	This sunroom was integrated into a two-story design. There are other solar features used with this home, too.
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Having a screened-in patio creates a perfect place to rest outdoors with the cool breezy air and not have to worry about the bugs. With the types of material that is available now, it can be installed quite quickly and look really nice. Gone are the days of the droopy screen or the torn hole where all the pesky mosquitoes come in. While it is still incumbent on any homeowner to take proper care of their screens, it is just that the materials and installation procedures are such that past issues with durability have become less of a problem. If you have children that just can’t keep their toys or screwdrivers or other sharp objects away from them, they are still prone to damage. Obvious destruction practices will never be completely unavoidable.

These outdoor patio rooms make for great memories as well. There is a reason why porches, patio swings and benches are so popular around the home, garden and patio spaces. This is where we congregate to sit and converse or just rest our minds and eyes for a bit. The patio screen enclosure could very well be the next place you find yourself building memories in with your kids or grandkids.

As mentioned, typically these screened rooms begin with some sort of patio structure built in the first place. Whether this is a porch or ranch-style backyard patio space, the beams are usually in place already. What is required next is to simply build some more formal posts that will be spaced properly to attach the screen material to. This can all be handled by a professional by the way. You can choose to install it yourself if you are handy enough and have the time. It will still cause you some headaches the first time around, but you will get the hang of it by the end. Also, you’ll need to install the door if you plan on being able to exit through it. If it is just a room off to one side of your home that you don’t plan on exiting from, scratch the door idea. This type of room makes for a great place to enjoy more of the great weather in your local climate area. Check out some plans online and see if a patio screen enclosure is really right for your situation and needs.

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This downside to building new is more about cost and convenience.  It will take longer and will cost you much more, generally speaking, to build from the ground up or with no existing structure from which to build off from.  But, as mentioned, there are also limitations that come into play from a construction stand point if you have to modify an existing structure to create the new patio design.

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There are many covered patio plans available online as well.  You can do a simple search to find pictures and descriptions of some of the more popular options.  You will also quickly find that there are many ways to describe a patio cover, so this may require a bit more homework on your part.

If what you are looking for is truly a covered patio, then you will need to further clarify what type of cover or roof you are looking for.  An open patio roof style can still be considered a “covered patio”, even though the cover will allow you to see the stars through it or have vines growing all over it like is the case with the classic pergola.  A semi-closed or closed patio roof style would be something more along the lines of a gazebo or even an extended patio common with a ranch-style home.  Since you found our site here, let’s discuss what we feel a covered patio to be.

Covered patios, in our mind, conjure up the image of that old Ranch-style home.  Here, you typically have a single-story layout, with the patio being created by extending the roof line out and often having posts as support.  The floor of the patio area can consist of a variety of materials from concrete to tile to outdoor carpeting.  Many times, these types of patios are finished into additional rooms for the home.  Depending upon how they are positioned, they may be ideally suited as a sunroom or even a modified greenhouse type room for the avid gardener.

Making sure to get the right covered patio plans in place prior to construction makes a big difference.

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Other Covered Patio Designs

Having said this about these types of covered patio plans, it is also quite feasible to be talking about something else when referring to a covered patio.  We would be remiss if we didn’t include the more traditional types of patio covers and patio cover descriptions.  Brief mention was made to them above, but they are the pergola and gazebo.  Variations of these themes could also be included under this larger umbrella category – no pun intended.

Pergolas, because of their flexibility can provide much needed shade and added ambiance and character to your outdoor space.  In fact, more and more outdoor living rooms and spaces take advantage of the pergola’s unique features.  Some of these features include handsome and simple design, lending themselves to a variety of installations and home styles.  Additionally, they can be built to accommodate larger more grand structures or be more simple with craftsmanship details.

Pergolas, more than gazebos, can be finished in a variety of ways.  Finished, in this case, is referring to the type of patio roof that you may choose to have.  Classic pergolas have a post and beam design.  More contemporary styles have a roof more typical of a Mediterranean cabana or villa.  In these cases, they could be tiled.  In other instances, a metal patio cover is called for in the design phase.  These can be made of metals such as steel and copper.  Metal roof materials come in a variety of applications including sheeting, “standing seam” and even tiles or shingles.

Some other possible places to check for ideas other than where you are right now in front of your keyboard would include fine home magazines and trade journals.  Occasionally, taking one of those home tours in your areas where designer homes are showcased can give you some ideas regarding your patio.  You can also see samples or portfolios from contractors that you may contact to see what type of experience and ideas they may have.  What ever your covered patio plans call for, there is a design style that can suit your needs.