Sun Rooms – What to Watch for – and Watch Out for – in Buying a Sun Room

Do higher gas prices and clogged highways have you spending more time at home? Do you wish you had a great space for your kids and their friends to hang out? If you’ve had the idea to turn your deck or patio into that wonderful sun room addition, now is a great time to add a sun room.  There are many different designs and decisions to make so here is a list of some of things you may want to consider before you buy. Not all sun room dealers and manufacturers are the same! When buying a sun room, Betterliving really does mean better living sun rooms!

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Here are 10 things that you should know before buying a sunroom, along with how Loebrich’s and Betterliving sun rooms answers these concerns

See the Sunrooms

Ask to see actual models of the sunrooms. Ask us where you can see full size models, either at Loebrich’s facility, where we have a full life size display or visit a clients we built in the Johnstown, Pa area. As soon as you talk our clients,  you should get a sense as to how comfortable you would feel having  us work on your home. Visiting custom built rooms  can give you a sense of the different sunroom designs, and decorating ideas.

Remember to: Ask if the contractor has a display home where you can see their finished work on someone’s home, or request to see some pictures of sunrooms of previous customers.
As a Betterliving authorized sun room dealer, we will be happy to show you fully furnished sun rooms either in at our facility or at a neighbor’s home!

Compare the Cost and Value of the Sunrooms

After you see and visit a sunroom, make sure any contractor offers a free, no obligation consultation and measure at your home to provide you with an exact cost for your project. Consultants can offer great ideas on how to utilize your current deck or patio as a foundation for your sun room addition. Watch out for contractors who offer sun room cost over the phone. This can hide the true cost of a sun room project. Scheduling an appointment will be the only true way to be sure you can compare the sun room cost and value of each product before selecting a sun room company.

As a Betterliving authorized sun room dealer, we offer free in-home design consultations and to-the-penny price with no hidden sun room costs.

Ask About UL Approval

Would you live in a home where the electric system was not UL approved? Be sure the sunroom has UL approved wiring systems. Electrical raceways should not only be safe but they shouldn’t interfere with the sun room décor. Watch for contractors who only offer electric as an afterthought by using awkward surface mount electrical boxes and conduit to run wiring and mount outlets.
As a Betterliving authorized sun room dealer, we have a UL certification for electric wiring with built in electrical raceways that keep a consistent look throughout your house and don’t distract from your sun room decor – some others don’t!

Check the Roller Wheels on the Windows and Doors

When building a sunroom, the sunroom windows and doors are an important centerpiece to the room’s decor. The quality of the windows and doors not only provides the outdoor feel but they’re a key a factor in a fully insulated sun room that allows you to entertain for four seasons. To maintain durability, it’s the rollers that keep the windows and doors operation smooth for the long term. Steel rollers on stainless steel tracks are the best system for heavy windows and doors. Be sure the rollers are covered under the warranty.

The windows and doors in Betterliving sun rooms have rugged steel rollers run on a stainless steel track and have a 50 year warranty.
What About Energy Star?
ENERGY STAR is a national program that rates the energy efficiency of consumer products. You’ll hear the term four seasons sun room used frequently and it refers to sun rooms designed for year round heating and cooling. These sunroom designs are eligible to earn the ENERGY STAR. If you are considering a four season sun room, be sure the windows and doors are ENERGY STAR qualified in all 50 states.
All Betterliving vinyl windows and doors are ENERGY STAR® qualified in all 50 states. You can go to theENERGY STAR Partner List web page and search for “Craft-Bilt” to confirm our status as a ENERGY STAR Product Manufacturers Partner.

As a Betterliving authorized sun room dealer, we carry workers compensation insurance on all employees.
Screens Should Be Glare Free
Many companies will show you pictures of sun rooms and screened porch photos that have fiberglass screens. Black aluminum screens minimize the obstruction of your outdoor view, and are stronger than fiberglass screens.
Betterliving sun room screens are long-lasting black aluminum and are glare-free.
Check Out The Handles
Your sun room will get lots of use, so the door handles should be strong and easy to use. Color matched handles with mortise locks look better – and last longer. Screen handles should be full size and well fastened.

Betterliving uses color matched handles with mortise locks and full size handles on all the screens.

Ask if Sub-Conractors will be Used

If so, find out how and what part of the Construction work will they do. If sub-contractors are used for specialty work on your installation, be sure they are fully insured and that your sunroom company will stand behind their work. Using installers whose only job is building a sun room helps ensure that the sun room cost doesn’t begin to inflate.

Be Sure to get the Right Permits and Inspections
Identify what permits will be required and how they will be processed. Find out who will schedule the inspections required by your local building department.
Betterliving sun room dealers handle all permitting from start to finish.

What Type of Warranty is Included?
How long is the labor guarantee, and what does it include? Ask about the Manufacturer’s Warranty, and who stands behind it!