Convert Your Patio Cover into Four-Season Sunroom
If you are a creative person and are looking forward to creating something of your own, here it is – Do It Yourself (DIY). Convert your patio cover into a four-season sunroom.
DIY projects like these give you a lot of room to explore your creative side. But let me warn you – The conversion process can also get challenging especially if you want to get a four-season sunroom during winters. Otherwise, the entire process will be a fun ride.
Now, let’s get started!
If your patio cover has a roof with sturdy posts supporting it, you have got a head start on your conversion project. Just get approval of the structure from the building department.
The building department will also have to approve the new use of the space. The approval will depend on the code requirements and the local land-use ordinances.
When you are taking a DIY project, checking into local ordinances and building requirements is the first step that all homeowners must take. This is important because when you undertake DIY projects, you increase the usable space on a property and just like adding a family room, or a second living room, or any other room at home, you would need a building permit.
Converting your patio into a four-season sunroom would need a permit because it would need an insulation, a heat source, a strong and a heavy structure to hold insulation and electricity. You may not need a permit for a three-season sunroom.
It is suggested to have a plan to get a building permit. Get the help of a licensed sunroom contractor in Vancouver to draw one plan.
The sunroom contractor will be able to inform you whether the existing structure of the patio cover is strong and sturdy enough to be converted into an enclosed room. Not just this, the sunroom contractors will also help in designing the space, choosing the best materials based on the cost and functionality.
The Kind of Porch You Have
The amount of work and the design you want will highly depend on what is already there.
If your patio cover is on a concrete slab, then the patio is likely either adjoining the house or is set in the middle of the yard. In this state, the patio cover may be freestanding or it could even be a part of the roof of the house.
If the patio roof is attached to the house, there are good chances for you to keep it as it is. Just add insulation and enclose the space underneath it.
If there is a freestanding patio roof, made up of corrugated metal or some other thin material. It may not provide much thermal protection for a living space. So, in this case, you may have to replace it from the scratch, and building a sunroom from the scratch would need professional assistance. For that, you can call the best sunroom builders in Vancouver and get top-class sunroom service. Contact the StrongBuild Sunrooms.
The concrete patio cover will provide little to no insulation. If you think of converting it
into a sunroom, it will stay cold unless you cover the concrete with some insulated flooring.
To get the maximum insulation value from a raised floor, stuff it with R-30 or higher fiberglass rigid foam or you can also spray foam insulation and cover it with subflooring and hardwood or laminate flooring.
Out of all the options, it is easier to install thermal underlayment with a vapor barrier and cover it with a laminate floor covering.
The people living in the places with the moderate climate can choose painting the concrete with a good-quality floor enamel. This is especially for those people who are on a budget.
If the posts are good and solid. These will be able to support the existing roof and will also be able to provide it all the structure that you may need to frame in the walls of
the sunroom.
A sunroom will have windows and panels of insulating glass, which would consist of two sheets of tempered glass, separated by an internal layer of an inert gas like argon.
Depending on the requirement, you can buy glass panels in the size you need.
Design A Sunroom
Now, what kind of sunroom do you want for yourself? Decide it based on the weather conditions.
For instance, if you expect a sunroom to be sunny, consider that too much sunlight will be uncomfortable, especially in summers. You would want to build it in a little shade and the best way would be to do it depending on the orientation of the patio cover.
The South-facing side would prove to be the best side because typically, it receives the most direct sun. If you want a solid wall, that may be the best side to put it unless that side is already well-shaded by the trees.
Another option - You can also install shades or curtains. These will not only look aesthetically good but will also block the intense afternoon sun.
You will also be able to adjust those as per your comfort like, you can open them anytime you want the energizing morning sun rays.
So, ideally, if you want the warm morning sun in winters, the south-facing wall is ideal for lots of windows.
Good Air Circulation
Apart from the sunlight, your sunroom would also need good air circulation.
Without air movement, a tightly insulated four-season room with windows can get uncomfortably hot. During winters, the moisture from warm air is likely to get condense on the windows.
In case, the sunroom is built onto your house, it will not be difficult to extend the home's central air system to the new room.
But, if the sunroom is detached or you don't want the extra expense of expanding your central air system, consider getting a ceiling fan in the sunroom.
Also, make sure you keep the provision of opening one or more windows to allow the fresh air to come so that it can circulate within the sunroom during the warmer days.
Usually, the sunrooms do not have interior wall space, but you can sport a white, beige, gray or any light-colored wood tone to keep the room bright even when the sun god refuses to show up.
However, there are two common wall materials that you can use, drywall and vinyl. Wood paneling works really well in creating a more grounded atmosphere.
Construction and Materials to Use
Since you already have a floor in place and we have assumed that the posts and roof of your covered patio are robust to shelter an interior living space.
Constructing a sunroom will basically involve erecting walls, framing in openings for glass and windows, insulating the walls and also installing the interior and exterior wall coverings.
When it comes to construction, this DIY project may turn out to be less complex because of everything readily available.
In terms of materials, a partial list of what you may need will include, lumber to frame the walls, lumber for the window and door headers, house wraps, insulation with an R-value appropriate for your climate, siding that matches your house, drywall, interior trim, including baseboard, door and window casing, silicone and acrylic caulk, and glass or windows.
You can erect the walls in place or even build them on the ground. Lift them into place, secure them to the floor with concrete screws or even with the help of driving fasteners with a powder-actuated nailer.
If you already have posts, take advantage of them by securing the framing with screws and nails.
The tops of the walls can blend into the contours of the existing roof. You can also construct a ceiling with joists into which you can install insulation, which is by far a better option, if the patio roof is of thin material.
If you think the roof is too flimsy for a living space, you may have to rebuild it. If the patio has a strong structure but the roof material is thin, you will have the option of covering it with a thicker material.
Sunroom Construction Time
If you have ever worked or have seen sunroom construction would know that the framing, roofing, siding, and glass installation can happen quickly, like in a week or two.
What takes the most time is the interior finishing of the sunroom.
Drywall installation, floor installation, trim work, painting, electrical and HVAC work, everything takes time. Moreover, all these tasks have to be done in sequence – the reason it takes time.
You cannot do all at once to save time.
If you are working with sunroom contractors in Vancouver, the project delays may happen because of untoward incidents like bad weather or any other unexpected emergency.
Do not forget to get building permit as it usually takes four to eight weeks from the time you submit the application. Also, the material collection will take time, so consider that time too.
Once you begin the work, expect the DIY conversion project to take a month or two.
Other Option for Sunrooms in Vancouver
Such DIY projects are great when it comes to cost-cutting. But do you know, you can even land in a trouble if these do not turn out to be exactly the way you want.
No matter how good you think you are, or you can be by following a DIY you tube video, you may never be able to meet the expertise of sunroom builders in Vancouver.
Even a single, minute negligence may cause you a lot later on. So, it is always suggested to hire the professional services of sunroom builders in Vancouver and get yourself the best.
Years of experience for professional sunroom installers speak in the work they do. Also, if anything goes wrong, you can always reach out to the team and get compensated for the damages or discrepancies, if any. Also, you can ask them to repair it for no extra money. The best sunroom builders in Vancouver will also provide you warranties of which you will be devoid when choosing DIY project.
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