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Outdoor SunSpaces News

What Are Sunrooms Made Of

 

In previous times, sunroom construction was a lot simpler. There were only a handful of styles to choose from and the materials used to construct them were limited to just wood, brick or stone. However, thanks to advances in technology, this has all changed. Nowadays, there is a wide variety of materials that can be used to bring a sunroom to life including wood, vinyl and aluminium. All of which bring their own benefits and drawbacks. The material that you choose to use for your sunroom will depend on several factors such as the style you want to create, whether you plan to use your sunroom during a particular season in the year or year-round and of course, your budget.

Here, we take a look a closer look at the most common materials used to make sunrooms today.

 

Sunrooms made from wood

Traditionally, all sunrooms have been made from wood. It is easier to feel like you are outdoors when you are surrounded by the natural feel of organic wood, which is unmatched by the other common materials of aluminium and vinyl. Wood for sunrooms provides excellent insulation properties as well as the ability to withstand extreme fluctuations in temperatures and resist the effects on condensation. However, wood can be expensive, especially now as more people are becoming environmentally sensitive. Additionally, sunrooms made out of wood require a lot more maintenance and upkeep than other materials. Despite these slight negatives, wood is a great option for homeowners looking for a unique look to their sunroom.

 

Sunrooms made from vinyl

If a high level of insulation is what you’re looking for, then vinyl is the material to choose. When combined with double or triple-pane energy-efficient windows, vinyl will keep your sunroom comfortable all year round whilst saving you money through reduced energy costs. Additionally, vinyl is super low-maintenance, resists rust and is available in a range of style, colour and size options – perfect to match any sunroom need that you may have.

 

Sunrooms made from aluminium

Despite aluminium being lightweight, it is one of the most robust materials available and has the ability to hold heavy loads with ease. One of the main reasons why homeowners choose aluminium for their sunroom is down to the fact it allows larger windows and glass panes to be installed. With less supporting material required, you will get more for your money, which is the main purpose of a sunroom. Aluminium is also manufactured in a variety of colours which allows you to match your sunroom to the rest of your home’s décor. The only slight drawback to aluminium is that its insulation properties fall short from the other two materials. You, therefore, have to deploy other insulation techniques to ensure your sunroom doesn’t reach extreme temperatures throughout the summer and winter months. Whilst the insulation qualities of aluminium have improved over recent years, it is still not adequate enough to be used alone. As a result, many manufacturers use a combination of vinyl and aluminium to achieve the insulation needed for a comfortable living space.

 

Our sunrooms

Here at SunSpaces Garden Rooms and Verandas, we supply a whole host of sunrooms in a variety of styles and looks to suit your every need. All of which are made out of aluminium to provide the most sturdy and long-lasting material available. All of our sunrooms come with a range of optional extras such as heating and shade to make your sunroom the ultimate year-round living space. Learn more about our collection of sunrooms below.

 

Browse Our Sunroom Range >

 

If you would like to learn more about what our sunrooms are made of or for more information on one of our sunroom models, then please contact a member of the SunSpaces team today. We’d be more than happy to help.

The Difference Between a Sunroom and Conservatory

 

For many people in the UK, a sunroom and conservatory are the same things, often mistaken for one another. The names are used interchangeably, without ever realising that they are in fact two totally different structures that contain distinct differences.

 

One thing that the two do have in common, however, is the fact that they are both structures added onto a property, designed to soak up the sun whenever possible. Homeowners that have either of these attached to their property can look forward to a beautiful summer's day in peace and quiet.

 

So, what exactly makes a sunroom and conservatory different? Let's take a look!

 

Length of Use

Conservatories are well known for their seasonality, meaning the times of the year they are typically used. Conservatories tend to become incredibly cold during the winter months, which can make it difficult to relax! In the summer, on the other hand, a conservatory can become extremely hot due to high exposure levels to the sun.

 

Sunrooms, however, are suitable for use from March until early October.

 

Materials

Another difference between a sunroom and conservatory is the materials that are used when building them. A conservatory tends to be made of UVPC and glass windows, or a brick base and glass windows with a polycarbonate/glass roof, meaning you typically only benefit from the top half of the structure being made of glass.

 

A sunroom, on the other hand, is typically made entirely of glass – from the glass door panels all the way up to the glass roof. The roof of a sunroom is typically manufactured from glass and is solid, offering increased protection from the sun.

 

Consent & Speed of Assembly

The final difference between a sunroom and conservatory is the process that you need to follow in order for it to be built and attached to your home. If your sunroom or conservatory exceeds a certain size, it will require planning permission from your local council*.

 

Neither option is cheap either when built from the ground up. A great way that you can avoid the problems and drama of planning permission and building from scratch is purchasing a ready-built structure that you can attach straight onto your home.

 

These ready-made structures mostly* eliminate the need to gain planning ​permission (*in most circumstances – speak to a representative to ensure no planning permission is required) ) and your home turning into a building site for a couple of months – and you can get one right here!

 

But by far the biggest benefit of adding a sunroom over a conservatory is the speed of assembly. A typical veranda can be installed in 1-2 days, with a garden room typically being installed in 3-4 working days!

 

There you have it, the main differences between a sunroom and conservatory. If you're thinking about adding one of these structures onto your property, we hope this blog helps to inform your decision. But if you're asking us, a sunroom is definitely the way to go. The ability to use it year-round and add amazing customisable options makes it a no-brainer.

Don't just take our word for it...

One of our previous clients has moved from a home with a SunSpaces sunroom to a home with a conservatory, she got in touch and said:

 

"We had one of your sunrooms built onto our old house and it was fantastic. The best thing we ever purchased. We have a conservatory on our new house and we hate it. It's so old fashioned and dated. Would love to remove it but not an option at the moment. We can’t understand anyone purchasing a conservatory anymore when they could have an amazing sunroom design. Stunning!"

 

For more information on our range of sunrooms, be sure to get in touch with a member of the SunSpaces team today or request an instant, free quote!

Request a Quote >

While we may call ourselves SunSpaces, the beauty of our products is that they can be enjoyed whatever the weather, all year round.
 

Why should you limit your outdoor enjoyment to when the sun allows? Moreover, who says the temperature has to call time on your garden fun and games?

 

We believe that your property should be yours to enjoy unrestricted and without elemental limitation, regardless of what the calendar reads.

 

In fact, our SunSpaces garden rooms are tailor-made to enjoyed even during the autumn and wintertime.

 

sunroom in autumn, sunroom in winter

 

Embrace the Change

British weather typically takes a notable turn from late-September onwards, with a frosty bite entering the air as the days get shorter and the nights get longer.

 

As a result, many Brits will retreat from their gardens, abandon their barbeques and leave their outdoor furniture untouched for the foreseeable.

 

With a SunSpaces garden room, such a definitive withdrawal is no longer necessary. In fact, it provides the perfect venue to enjoy the seasonal change in absolute comfort!

 

Protected from the frosty temperatures and adverse weather that autumn/winter brings, a garden room from SunSpaces provides a sheltered sanctuary to enjoy the outdoors in style.

 

 

Elemental Health

If you’re concerned about staying warm in your sunroom, then worry no more. The walled design of our garden rooms provides ample protection against the wind, rain and cold.

 

Even if Britain is hit by a rare bout of snow, your outdoor enjoyment will remain unhindered in the enclosed outdoor oasis. Simply watch the postcard scenery in the warmth of the inside.

 

Meanwhile, if the seasons do throw you a toasty curveball in the form of a hot, sunny day, you can always fling open the doors and let the fresh air in with ease. All-weather enjoyment really does mean just that with SunSpaces.

 

 

Feel the Heat

While our SunSpaces are excellent insulators in their own right, should you want additional heat for your garden room, we have you covered there too.

 

At SunSpaces, we offer a variety of heating options to choose from and all of our garden rooms and verandas are compatible with our 2KW heaters.

 

We even have a heater/speaker combo, should you wish to add a festive soundtrack to your winter refuge over Christmastime or simply relax and unwind in warming comfort to your favourite tunes.

 

In addition to our range of heating accessories, we also offer optional draught seals for further protection against the autumn breeze and winter cold.

 

Fitting one of these will turn your garden room into a veritable Fort Knox of cosiness, locking the cold outside and keeping your homely hideaway as snug as can be.

 

 

For more information on our garden rooms and verandas, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 01727 845 788 or get in touch online using the button below.

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At SunSpaces, we are committed to creating beautiful, bespoke extensions that are truly unique and tailored to your specific needs. Our sunrooms are designed to offer the best combination of practicality and visual appeal to those who are looking for a modern, minimalistic design, making the most of your home without distracting from it. 


Our glass rooms with sliding walls are an ideal choice for those thinking about installing a dedicated sunroom, thanks to their sleek, minimal design and functionality.
 
 
The range of bespoke sizes available to our customers means that your sunroom design can be planned and fitted with the dimensions of your home and garden in mind, as well as your desired use of space. 
 
 
The sliding glass walls also provide easy access to and from your outdoor area, while also making the best use of light and space. Free from chunky frames and opaque surfaces, these chic designs reduce the sense of disconnect between your home and garden, allowing your sunroom to fuse seamlessly with the rest of your house. 
 
glass sunroom
 
Sunrooms for bungalows
 
A lot of people don't like bungalows, and some even use the word 'bungaloid' as a negative adjective for small buildings they find unsightly. However, it is the opinion of the SunSpaces team that lots of bungalows look very lovely indeed; those sweet little one-storey homes are cosy, comfortable, and - in the right hands - capable of looking just as stylish as any other home. Plus, those who live in bungalows don't have to worry about vacuuming the stairs, a perk that could make even the most squalid space seem appealing!
 
Of course, the main drawback of living in a bungalow is the lack of space. For some, that's a big part of their appeal (after all, why live in a mansion-sized property if it's just you, your partner, and your relatively few possessions?); other bungalow-dwellers, however, find themselves frustratingly limited by their ultra-compact homes.
 
But help is at hand. If you're looking to add a little extra space to your intimate one-storey abode, our sunrooms are the perfect solution!
 
SunSpaces' stylish, easy-to-build sunrooms are great for bungalows because...
  • They generally require no planning permission (unless built on a border)

  • They can be installed without any professional help (each one comes with an assembly guide and instructional DVD to help you get the job done)

  • They cost significantly less than conservatories

  • They look great and can be used in all sorts of ways (if you'd like some suggestions, click here)
Our sunrooms are supplied with sliding walls or fixed panels, depending on your preference. We can also help if you're looking to add a veranda to your bungalow - contact SunSpaces now to find out more!