What makes a room a sunroom
A sunroom is an enclosed addition with an insulated roof and walls made mostly of windows. Unlike a patio enclosure, a true sunroom is built for comfort in every season: insulated, sealed and often wired for lighting, outlets and climate control.
Types of sunrooms
- Three-season rooms: enclosed with windows but not fully insulated or climate controlled. Comfortable most of the year in a mild climate.
- Four-season rooms: fully insulated with energy-efficient glass and heating or cooling, so the room works like any other room in the house.
- Converted patio covers: some projects build the room under an existing insulated patio cover, if the structure is suitable.
Planning for San Diego sun
All that glass lets in a lot of light, and in San Diego that also means heat. The direction the room faces matters. Low-E glass, an insulated roof and good ventilation help keep a west or south facing sunroom comfortable. Inland neighborhoods with hot summers usually call for a four-season design with real cooling.
Permits and planning
Sunrooms usually involve more permitting than a patio cover, because many are treated as an addition to the home. Expect plan review, and in some cases engineering and energy requirements. HOAs may also need to approve the design. An experienced, licensed contractor will handle most of this and can tell you what to expect for your city.
Questions to ask your contractor
- Is this a three-season or four-season design?
- What glass and roof insulation are you proposing?
- Who handles plans, engineering and permits?
- How will the room be heated and cooled?
- Can my existing patio slab and cover be used, or does it need new footings?