Sun Room for Winter – Wisconsin Winter Living
Sunrooms get a bad rap in Wisconsin. That is because so many are poorly installed that they are not warm in Winter and then are blazing hot in Summer. Neither case is very enjoyable. The good news is that a quality designed and built sunroom is warm in Winter and cold in Summer. Here’s what you need to know about Sunroom Design for Wisconsin homes.
1. Position is Everything
A sunroom’s location for Winter is full sun and in Summer partial shade for the afternoon. Physically, this is all about house design and how your house fits onto your property. It is also about landscaping. You want tall trees to shade your home during the Summer and not block the sun during the Winter. If your property has tall trees, the process is that much simpler. If not, there are some other tricks to beating the Summer’s heat.
2. Decore is King
Heavy insulating curtains are a must. First, in Winter, they help keep heat in as the sunshines decreases. Secondly, in Summer they help to keep the sun’s heat outside. When the curtains are open and when they close are all manageable via home automation units. These can literally open and close your curtains based on the sun’s position throughout the year. That’s a good thing as it means that every day you can take advantage of the sun’s light and heat without having to suffer its consequences.
3. Structural Support
There are several ways to heat a sunroom in Winter. Radiant flooring is one of those ways. Even without bottom heat, a geothermal system would keep the ambient room temperature around 70 degrees. These systems work by pumping air through a piping system that goes down into the Earth, where the temperature is stable, regardless of the weather outside. So, in Winter, you get an air exchange that is around 70 degrees, and in Summer, you get the same. During the hottest and coldest months, you are getting the best ambient air temperatures from the Earth.
Another little trick is to install thick, plush carpet, which helps to insulate the floor. Cold air settles and warm air rises, but that is not the case if you approach an air system smartly. Most ceiling fans have a reverse setting, so rather than pulling air up in Winter, you push it down. Doing so helps keep the air in your sunroom the same temperature. Heaters are another option, but they can be costly to operate. It is far better to opt for a geothermal system. A thicker and insulated subflooring is also a good idea. The added space helps to keep it fresh in Summer and warmer in Winter. The insulation helps to minimize heat or cold drafts from the floor.
If a sunroom is in your dreams, make it a reality. Start by talking with the Design Custom Home team about the options for adding a sunroom to your custom home plans. A sunroom can make a big difference in your homes value, livability, and comfort. GIve us a call today as we are happy to answer your questions about custom home designs.
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