If you look for every excuse to get outdoors during the summer, you’re not alone. Being outdoors has been proven time and time again to boost our moods, increase our immunity, decrease stress, and encourage social interaction with our loved ones. While there are many ways to get outside, one of the best and easiest ways to enjoy the outdoors is by relaxing in a sunroom.
“We often get calls from homeowners looking for ways to do what they love – from entertaining, to reading, enjoying a morning coffee and more – without having to contend with flies and other bugs,” says Terry Dungate, who co-owns Dungate Windows and Sunrooms with his son Taylor.
While there are many sunroom styles, there has always been one commonality among Terry’s clients since he started the business in 1997. “They quickly find that the sunroom becomes the most used room of the house,” he says. “Surrounded by greenery with a panoramic view on three sides, there’s nowhere our clients would rather be.”
In addition to the variety of styles and sizes, Dungate’s sunroom designs are versatile enough to be added to any home, regardless of its age or structure.
Adding a sunroom
To create your dream sunroom, Terry says there are three main options: installing a completely new sunroom; enclosing a covered porch or patio; or adding windows to an existing screened-in porch in order to extend the season.
Dungate’s complete sunrooms are modular units, custom-designed for your home, and manufactured in a temperature-controlled environment, ensuring the highest quality. These units can be installed on any solid base, whether that’s poured concrete, an existing deck or an uncovered patio.
The roof can be sloped or gabled, the walls can be insulated or acrylic, the structure can be attached to the home or free-standing: Taylor says no two sunrooms are the same. “Your design depends on what you want to use the sunroom for.” If the sunroom is for a cottage or summer residence, Taylor suggests going with an acrylic three-season room that can be equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows for maximum outdoor viewing. These acrylic sunrooms are ideal for maximizing light and ventilation, without sacrificing style or comfort.
“The panels come in a range of colours,” he says. “Leave them clear for a glass-room effect or use white panels to diffuse the roof’s rays and keep you comfortable all summer long.”
Enclosing a porch
If you already have a gazebo, covered porch or patio area that you use for entertaining during the summer, converting the space into a sunroom is easy. “Many times, customers don’t need an entire sunroom built from scratch,” says Taylor. “We can use almost any outdoor shelter as a frame for a sunroom.”
In this case, you’re simply adding the walls to transform your porch into a sunroom. If you want to use the room year-round and enjoy the panoramic view, regardless of whether it’s surrounded by sun or by snow, an insulated all-season 400-model sunroom is the way to go. However, if you’d prefer to embrace the breeze and enjoy the sunroom from spring through fall, Terry suggests a screened-in 100-, 200- or 300-model that prioritizes ventilation over insulation.
“If you’re not planning on heating the sunroom or are concerned about retaining heat, that’s fine,” says Terry. “Let us help you find the solution that’s best for you.”
Finishing with windows
While the popularity of sunrooms has been increasing steadily over Terry’s 27 years in business, he says there’s also been a notable increase in new builds designed with three-season rooms.
If you have a new build underway, Terry suggests having your contractor reach out to fit your three-season room with WeatherMaster windows.
These vertical or horizontal two- and four-track vinyl windows are custom-made to fit your openings exactly.
“We’re often asked, why not glass?” Terry says. “By using vinyl glazing, we can easily stack the windows up or down to maximize the airflow.”
“You still get the same breeze as before, but now you can use it later into the season,” adds Taylor. “And they’re maintenance free.”
The best way to determine which sunroom is best for you is to see the options for yourself and speak with the experts. “We’ll design a sunroom that will fit with your property and your family’s needs.”
Once you’ve designed your sunroom, installation can be quickly completed by Dungate’s team or your contractor.
“In as little as one day, we can add a whole new living space that will become your favourite area to spend time in.”
TEXT SHELANNE AUGUSTINE
PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN
