A sunroom is a beautiful addition to any home but when you have a space attached to your house with that much glass then there’s a greater potential for trouble. Trouble aside, those windows will naturally wear down over the course of their life and there’s a certainty that at some point you’ll have to do some maintenance or purchase window replacements for your sunrooms. Here are some tips for buying new windows for sunrooms (or anywhere else in your home).
1. Take the time to do your homework when it comes to windows. Sunrooms are unique and not all windows are built the same. By educating yourself you can make a smart decision for this major investment (remember there’s a lot of glass to deal with). A careful decision means windows last longer, and cost you less over the life of your home.
2. Select windows with quality frames that will not only seat properly depending on the design of the sunrooms you’ve chosen but will also remain durable. Vinyl – while not entirely attractive – offers a durable frame for window installation. If you’ve got walls with simple windows surrounding your sunroom then go for vinyl.
3. If it’s in your budget, go custom for sunrooms and replacement windows around the home. While the price might be a bit more on the steep side, custom-manufactured windows are literally the best fit for your home. An exact fit not only looks better but it means no alterations needed to your home and you get better thermal performance overall.
4. If you’re tired of the way your sunroom currently looks then change the window design. This is a great opportunity to add a fresh new look to your sunroom or solarium. With the variations in style, shape and color in available windows (not to mention the unlimited potential offered in custom replacement windows) you can reshape sunrooms anyway you like depending on your budget.
5. If you’re buying replacement windows, then start purchasing energy star qualified windows. With energy costs on the rise, anything you can do to counter those costs – such as with high performance replacement windows – means more money in your pocket. In the end, the replacement windows in your sunroom will pay for themselves.
6. Part of the research you do mentioned in #1 should be to choose replacement windows for your sunroom from a specialty dealer or reputable home improvement contractor that uses a quality manufacturer. Check reviews, feedback scores and other available ratings and information on replacement window manufacturers.
With careful consideration and a proper plan in place, you can get the most appropriate replacement windows for your sunroom. It may seem daunting at first because of the sheer number of windows in your sunroom but they’re typically replaced one window at a time. If it’s not something you feel you can handle from a DIY perspective then there’s always the option of working with a specialist replacement window company or a general contractor comfortable with sunrooms.
By: A Mady