Building a Custom Sun Room

Blue sky with clouds and sun.The concept of a solarium or sun room has changed over the years, from the rooftop solarium of a house as it is known in Rome to the castle roof solarium as it was known during the medieval period. During the olden times, solariums were typically located at the upper floor of the house, usually with large windows surrounding the room to welcome sunlight.

Solariums were not really made for tanning then, because medieval women used the solariums as their nook where they spend hours gossiping and exchanging pleasantries.

During the modern times, the sun rooms became more extravagant and elegant. Today, sun rooms are built surrounded by window glasses. Some sun rooms are even built with walls made of glass. Sun rooms today are also used by the family members as a relaxation area where they can entertain visitors or host parties. Today, sun rooms are also built to serve as greenhouses where exotic plants are kept and grown.

The concept of using sun rooms as tanning rooms is relatively new but it has attracted homeowners who find the idea practical. Instead of going to tanning shops or spas, there are home owners who buy use the sun rooms for personal tanning sessions.

Solariums or sun rooms are more popular during summer when the whole household can avail of in-house tanning services. Some get their own portable beds and stay in their sun rooms the rest of the day.

Having your own sub room can be practical and cost effective. It can save you time and money in going to tanning salons. However, people who use sun rooms for tanning purposes should be aware of the dangers of too much exposure to the sunís ultraviolet rays.

Even if you are just in you sun room, you have to make sure you are protected by wide-brimmed hats. To be more practical about it, use sun protecting creams or sunscreens with higher protection level. The common belief is that a person does not need sunscreen if he is jus tin the confines of his home. Of course, a sun room is just within your home but you are getting more sun exposure there so you have to protect your skin and your eyes.

You can enjoy your sun rooms but do not endanger your health by enjoying your sun rooms without proper protection.

Windows – A Wise Investment For Your Home

Window to SummerPerhaps no other element shapes a room’s personality more than the right window. Whether you want classic luxury for a showpiece living room or attractive practicality for the laundry room, look for the style, look and feel for what it takes to suit your style and budget. Your windows should be measured and installed by a professional window installer, who can also help you decide on exactly what type of windows will best compliment your home from both the inside and out.

Replacement Windows – If you’re thinking about replacement windows, why wait any longer? The benefits start immediately. From enhancing your home’s interior to adding to its curb appeal, new windows transform a home from ordinary to outstanding. What’s more, they provide one of the best returns on investment of any home improvement project.

Insulation and Energy Saving Values – Windows are thermal holes. An average home may lose 30% of its heat or air-conditioning energy through its windows. Energy-efficient windows save money each and every month. Plus, you’ll be more comfortable the whole while you live with them. In this day and age of saving on energy costs, you really canít go wrong with replacing the windows in your home.

Whether you are choosing windows for your new home, or you are choosing windows to replace old ones in your current home, choose wisely. Window additions are an investment, and if chosen properly your investment will pay you back.

Are Window Awnings Right For You?

Blue Awnings BackgroundA window awning is typically a piece of canvas or cloth which protrudes above a window by way of a frame which is fixed to the building. The canvas is then stretched over this frame, which is usually made of aluminium, wood or steel. The purpose of these awnings varies but generally they provide shade, shelter from strong winds or a cover from rain or other precipitation.

Window awnings are recommended by the Consumer Energy Center as they can really help to cool your home in the hot summer months. This then saves on the amount of energy used by powering other devices to cool your home, such as air conditioning or mechanical fans. It is said that approximately 40 per cent of the unwanted heat that builds up in your home on a hot day comes from your windows. Imagine the difference that installing window awnings could have on that figure! It has been stated that awnings can reduce the temperature in your home by up to 20 degrees on a hot sunny day.

To achieve the maximum benefit from your awning you should choose a lightly colored fabric. This then not only shades your window but actively reflects the sunlight away from the window. The installation of the awning ensures that it extends outwards and downwards over the upper part of the window and casting a shadow over the lower part, ensuring you can still see out through the window and that light is still able to enter, but not direct sunlight which is where the unwanted heat comes from.

For those who live in climates which can vary between being hot in the summer and cold in the winter, retractable awnings are the best investment. This means that you can get the maximum benefit of their cooling capabilities in the hot months but are not suffering for the same reason in the summer. There is little point reducing your cooling bills only to increase your heating bills in the process! Retractable awnings pull out in a similar way to a standard blind, allowing them to be stored away neatly when they are not required.

Although awnings are not cheap to buy, you can reduce the cost by opting for self installation kits. These are readily available on the internet and are easy to install. The cost of this is significantly less as you do not have to pay for labor costs associated with the installation. Full instructions are provided and make them a more affordable investment for many.