Q&A: Any Suggestions for Adding an Outdoor Room?
Share on Twitter | Email To Friend | Posted by Dan in Decks and Patios.
First of all, adding an outdoor room to your home is a great idea. It will add square footage, value, and beauty to your home. The key here, as always, is planning, and the first step is knowing what you’re going to use the room for.
Will it be a sun room, garden room, or a screened-in porch? Is it a place you will use for relaxation, or more for entertainment? Some outdoor rooms are extensions of kitchens or family rooms, others are game rooms, exercise rooms, reading rooms, and whatever else your creative mind can come up with.
When you’ve decided what you’ll use it for, start laying out the room. Sketch out a plan on paper to help you visualize it. Think about how much furniture you’d like and where you’ll put it. Think about windows. Usually outdoor rooms have large windows to afford maximum view of the yard, garden, and the horizon if you’re lucky enough to have an expansive view. You don’t necessarily need to use real windows. You can easily use a wood frame and screen.
If you’re using real windows, you should consider solar heat gain. With so many windows in one room, it can really heat up in the summer time. New, energy efficient windows can help fight heat gain and keep the room at a reasonable temperature. Also, if you can help it, don’t put all your windows on one wall. Usually you’ve got two to three walls to work with, so use them. This will create airflow and maximize the pleasure of those summer evening breezes.
Next, you’ll want to hire a contractor. Most contractors have worked on a lot of outdoor rooms and will have some very helpful advice and ideas. You can view a list of qualified, pre-screened contractors in your area here.
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June 12th, 2008 at 9:19 am
[...] key to getting started with an outdoor room addition is planning. Deciding on a design that fits you and your lifestyle is of the utmost importance, and there are several ways you can [...]
November 22nd, 2008 at 5:25 am
A year ago I had an enclosed porch constructed. It has a life time garentee. However, My HOA has a different opinion about my relaxing room. They want the foundation switched to poured concrete stamped like the rest of the house. They want the roof pitched like the rest of the house. They want the windows redone like the rest of the house.
I was wondering if it would be better at this point to switch the structure to a deck since I am already 60,000 dollars in debt.
Does anyone have any solutions to help me out of this situation.
I need help immediately.
Jackie
November 25th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
This is a tough spot. Historically, HOA’s have all the power in these situations as they are essentially a corporation not a municipality. In other words, the actual homeowner often has no say after signing the initial dotted line.
Jackie, if you haven’t already, go through the specifics of your HOA bylaws to make sure that this is not just what they “want” but what you signed up to do when you bought the house. The odds may be against you but always explore every option.
It can’t hurt to have a contractor come out and have a look at what you’ve got and what you need. He or she can give you an idea of further costs to renovate or tear down your relaxing room.
Good Luck!