By Matt Manguso
Weather is a tricky mistress. Even with Doppler Radar and overly assured meteorologists, Mother Nature always has a few tricks up her sleeve. Luckily there is a way to enjoy all the lovely things that the outdoors offer, but from the temperature-controlled, dry and furnished comfort of your own home. We are talking about sunrooms.
Jack Rayher of Four Seasons Sunrooms spoke to the Press about the benefits of sunrooms: “If you are looking for more space, think of a sunroom. It’s not just covering an existing space, it is something we can develop to create a whole new room for a new lifestyle.” Mr. Rayher also notes that during these tough economic times, sunrooms can be a welcome change to a home. Instead of going through the process of buying a new home, people can add on a sunroom to provide more space and an entire new feel to their home. Prices range in the $10,000 to $60,000 price range, which allows people to design a sunroom on a budget. Options are also in place to conform to a person’s lifestyle.
For those looking for an outdoor space free from weather and mosquitoes but filled with fresh air, there is the screened-in sunroom. The screens allow for warm spring and summer breezes to flow through the area, and an aluminum ceiling protects from harsh UV rays.
The more adventurous can opt for the luxurious year round sunroom, which can be built to almost any specification possible. “In order to keep the price down we have certain standard glass sizes, but we can build custom ones for a particular situation. The ones that fit our standard size are more economical, but anything is possible,” says Rayher.
There are rooms that are completely made out of glass, providing all the enjoyment of sunlight, added space, and a 360-degree view of the outdoor world. Some rooms are mostly glass but come with a cathedral-style roof which limits the sunlight, allowing you and your guests to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. And the possibilities don’t end there.
Four Seasons Sunrooms in Holbrook and Alure Home Improvements of East Meadow offer some of the best selections out there, with options such as straight roof studio sunrooms, curved roof studio sunrooms, cathedral roof studio sunrooms, and conservatories. All can be outfitted with aluminum, wood or vinyl depending on the architecture of your home and your personal preference. Best of all, unlike traditional construction and home improvements, some prefabricated sunrooms can be built in as a little as a few hours, provided a home has the necessary accommodations.
Regardless of your personal tastes there is a sunroom out there for everybody. A person can design the sunroom that they have always wanted, and create a new indoor getaway to enjoy the outdoors. And in this world of rising heating costs, homeowners can be assured that the addition of a sunroom will not result in higher heating bills due to heat loss. Specialized windows are put into place, ensuring that heat is retained in the room as if the room were completely enclosed.
Sunrooms can increase your lifestyle in ways that you may never have imagined, Rayher explains. “Here on LI, maybe May through October, you can use your backyard, and that’s only on nice days. But with a sunroom you can use it 365 days a year.” Chefs can create a gourmet kitchen with an al fresco feel, entrepreneurs can provide their business with a warm professional meeting space and families can gather together to spend time enjoying the view of their backyards. No matter what your style or taste, you can build a room around it.