Nothing is more fickle than the weather, anywhere, but especially here in Michigan. For instance, springtime might make several brief, sunny appearances — from early February to late April — before settling in for the season. But, we all want to enjoy the sunshine whenever it’s available! That’s why we, at Vinyl Sash, your best Flint builders and installers of both insulated and uninsulated sunrooms, know that making a decision on which way to go to enclose your patio, is often a difficult decision.
Sometimes it’s helpful for you to consider your family’s individual needs in order to decide if you want your patio to feel like “Florida,” i.e., do you want a Florida room, for only three out of the four seasons, or throughout the entire year? The following facts will help you to know what to look for when making your decision:
Insulated Patio Rooms
- A well-built insulated sun room or patio room is meant to last a lifetime.
- An insulated wall system built with the Midwest in mind should be constructed to withstand the kind of wind and snow loads like the kind we get here in Michigan.
- Check to see if 3″ and 6″ Insulated Composite Roof Systems are available.
- Good construction should include Energy Star windows and doors that assure the warmest patio room available.
- Look for Low-E / Super Spacer warm edge glass, 3/4″ double strength glass for improved thermal insulation, and tempered glass that comes with a lifetime guarantee against breakage.
- Your patio door should be vinyl insulated, have fusion welded sash and mainframe and a stainless steel adjustable roller system.
- You’ll want an A-Frame roof system that is supported by 3″ x 12″ lambeam for added support.
- Make sure that your insulated sun room has THERMALLY IMPROVED CHANNELS for added comfort.
Non-Insulated Patio Rooms
With weather being fickle and downright unpredictable, with the exception of just a few added insulation features such as Energy Star windows and doors, Low-E / Super Space warm edge glass, vinyl insulated doors, and thermally improved channels for added comfort, your non-insulated patio room should have most of the features listed above in order for your family to stay comfortable for as many months out of the year as possible.
One Final Note
Whether you decide on having an insulated or non-insulated patio room, make sure that the company you choose to build and install your sun room has factory-trained employees and doesn’t contract out. Vinyl Sash meets both of those requirements and then some! And, make sure that your builder and installer will process all building permits for you, like we do at Vinyl Sash, to make sure that your new patio room will not only be enjoyable, but will pass code!
