Have you decided to build a sunroom? An excellent idea! It won’t only increase property value but also serve as a relaxing space for you and your guests where you can reap the benefits of natural light and the much-needed vitamin D. The most important step in this process is selecting suitable sunroom windows, which are, after all, the points of interest of the room.
That’s why we’ve prepared a comprehensive guide on sunroom windows – frame material, window types, glazing options, and more!
Key Takeaways
- Casement, sliding, and picture windows are usually preferred for sunrooms.
- If there’s enough space, it’s best to install window walls to maximize natural light and ventilation.
- Choosing the right window frame materials, like Magic’s Hybrid Fusion Frame, and energy-efficient glazing options is extremely important when it comes to sunrooms.
What Are Sunroom Windows?
A sunroom is an oasis of natural light designed to bring the outdoors in! Unlike a screen room, which is built on a porch and features various patio covers, sunrooms are usually attached to the main building and are often referred to as patio rooms, sun porches, or garden rooms.
The focal points of the room are, obviously, the windows, which flood it with light, creating a relaxing atmosphere. The right sunroom windows can transform the space into a relaxing reading nook or a vibrant dining area. In addition, a sunroom can serve as an excellent place where you can grow various plant species.
When designing your sunroom, one of the first things you should pay attention to is the window frame material. Given that these rooms have many windows, energy efficiency is of utmost importance; otherwise, it will be scorching hot in the summer and very cold in winter, especially on gloomy days, so you’ll have to rely on artificial heating and cooling extensively.
Therefore, we’ll start our guide by discussing various window frame materials to understand which are more suitable for a sunroom.
Materials for Sunroom Windows
When it comes to selecting materials for your sunroom windows, you have several options:
- Vinyl windows are popular thanks to their energy efficiency, affordability, and low maintenance. The downside is that vinyl pane windows have rather thick frames, which can limit the glazing area. In addition, they’re not the most durable on the market, which means you may not be able to install very large vinyl windows. Last but not least, vinyl’s lifespan is limited in regions with extreme weather conditions, as it warps and cracks over time.
- Aluminum windows are preferred for their durability and slim frames – therefore, aluminum frames can accommodate quite large glazing areas. On the other hand, aluminum is not an energy-efficient material, which can significantly impact the comfort of your sunroom.
- Wood windows are usually chosen for their natural aesthetics and durability. Without a doubt, wood is an excellent material for windows because it’s highly energy efficient. However, you’ll have to spend a lot on wood sunroom windows – given how many there will be – and you’ll also have to spend a lot of time maintaining them.
- Magic’s Hybrid Fusion Frame is the perfect material for sunroom windows. Made from aluminum, steel, and vinyl, our composite material excels at durability and energy efficiency. Thanks to the incredible strength of our unique material, our frames are very thin – a major advantage for sunrooms. Have we mentioned that they come with a 40-year warranty?
Choosing the Right Window Style for Your Sunroom
Before choosing windows for your sunroom, it’s crucial to make up your mind regarding the following aspects:
- What is the purpose of the sunroom? Do you want it to be a year-round living area where you can enjoy the sunlight while drinking your coffee or reading a book? Or maybe you want it to serve as a plant room, where you’ll take care of diverse species that require specific growing conditions. The answer to this question affects the windows you’ll choose because plants, for example, need plenty of fresh air and other particular conditions, so you’ll have to focus on finding suitable operable windows.
- The orientation of the sunroom. It is generally recommended that sunrooms face south. East- or west-facing windows aren’t good options because the unwanted solar heat gain will rise exponentially during the day. If you do install east- or west-facing windows, they should be highly energy-efficient.
- Do you want a glass roof? This can influence your window choices and the final cost, as well as the glazing options, given that the sun will shine directly onto those windows – in winter, they should be able to withstand the weight of snow if it snows in your area.
Now that we’ve covered these aspects, let’s see which windows are suitable for sunrooms!
Casement Windows
Casement windows offer both functionality and elegance, being among the best windows for sunrooms. These windows open outwards, allowing for excellent ventilation and fresh air circulation. When closed, they ensure unobstructed views.
However, if you choose to install casement windows in your sunroom, don’t forget that all of them need extra space on the outside to open fully.
Sliding Windows
Sliding windows are a budget-friendly alternative to casement windows, for example, because their opening mechanism is rather straightforward.
However, standard sliding windows usually have only one operable sash, so if ventilation is important for you, go for Magic’s sliding windows – both their sashes open inwards at a 90-degree angle.
Fixed Windows
Fixed picture windows flood your sunroom with natural light and offer unobstructed views. These windows don’t open, thus providing a seamless, uninterrupted view while maximizing daylight entry.
Another advantage is that fixed windows are more energy-efficient than other windows and can be installed in numerous shapes. Pair them with several operable windows, and you’ve got yourself the sunroom of your dreams!
Window Walls
Window walls may be exactly what you’ve been looking for for your sunroom. Why limit yourself to smaller windows if the space allows you to install fully operable window walls? They guarantee unobstructed views and abundant natural light, making interiors feel more spacious and inviting!
Magic’s window walls, for example, are fully operable and feature our patented Parallex hardware, which means they require little to no maintenance and are extremely easy to open and close. They can feature bi-fold doors, sliding doors, or French doors.
In addition, each panel can stop at any point of the opening, giving you the possibility to open as many glass panels as you want. Magic can accommodate window wall lengths of up to 50 feet, so there’s no need to worry about that (in case you did worry!).
Skylights and Pass-Through Windows
Skylight windows are installed on the roof, so they’re an excellent choice if you want a glass roof for your sunroom. You can install skylight windows alongside picture windows. They are operable, so you can open them once in a while to ventilate the room.
Pass-through windows offer a unique way to connect your sunroom with your outdoor space, making it easier to serve food and interact with guests. These windows are perfect for enhancing the functionality and openness of your sunroom, creating a more integrated and airy environment.
Glazing Options for Sunrooms
When discussing glazing options, energy efficiency inevitably comes into question – after all, the frame material isn’t the only window part responsible for insulation.
Double- and Triple-Pane Options
Without a doubt, single-pane windows are definitely not an option for sunrooms because your heating and cooling costs will increase tremendously.
Double- and triple-pane windows, on the other hand, are Insulated Glass Units consisting of two or three glass panes separated by a warm-edge spacer and gas fills. This ensures superior insulation.
However, it’s worth noting that triple-pane windows are much heavier than single- or double-pane windows, so you may not be able to install very large triple-pane windows.
Low-E Coatings and UV Protection
Low-E coatings on sunroom windows revolutionize energy efficiency and UV protection! These coatings reflect heat while allowing natural light to pass through, therefore contributing significantly to maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature, even in direct sunlight.
Additionally, Low-E glass blocks harmful UV rays, which protects your furnishings from fading and ensures that your sunroom remains a pleasant and safe environment.
Tempered or Laminated Glass
We cannot discuss glazing options without mentioning tempered and laminated glass – after all, safety is of utmost importance, especially in a room with so many windows. Tempered glass is extremely strong; when it breaks, it shatters into tiny, blunt pieces, thus being safe for rooms where children and pets spend time.
Laminated glass, on the other hand, is an excellent burglar-proof solution; when it breaks, the glass sticks to a polyvinyl butyral layer that keeps the glass pieces from falling to the floor.
Other Things to Consider When Choosing Sunroom Windows
Choosing a suitable window frame material and a glazing option is, without a doubt, the most important decision you’ll have to make. However, there are other aspects you’ll have to consider when designing this four- or three-season room. Keep reading to learn more!
Privacy and Noise Reduction
Sometimes, you just want to bask in the sunlight that floods your sunroom and you don’t care about prying eyes. Other times – when you’re having a family dinner in the sunroom, for example – you may need more privacy, which can be difficult to obtain given how many windows sunrooms have.
Luckily, there’s an excellent solution you may want to consider – Magic’s fully retractable solar shades and thermal blinds. The solar shades aren’t fully opaque, thus allowing some light in. You can use them both during the day and at night, although they provide less privacy at night.
Instead, you can open the thermal blinds in the evening – they guarantee complete privacy, increase a window’s energy efficiency, and have soundproofing abilities.
Furthermore, you can use our blinds and shades when it’s extremely hot or cold outside. They can help you keep indoor temperatures steady throughout the day.
We’ve already mentioned that our blinds are fully retractable. This means that they stay hidden within the frame when not in use. When you want to open them, all you have to do is pull the blinds from within the frame, and they’ll slide seamlessly along it, covering the glass.
Security Features
Let’s not forget about window locking mechanisms, which can help you feel safer and more comfortable in your house.
At Magic, we use locking mechanisms with the highest possible security grade, which is a major step towards burglar-proofing your windows. Installing tempered or laminated glass (mentioned above) can also improve your windows’ security.
Installation and Maintenance of Sunroom Windows
Given that a sunroom has so many windows, installing them is undoubtedly not a DIY project unless you’re a window expert. Numerous things can go wrong during a sunroom window installation, which is why you want a professional to handle it.
Magic experts, for example, are professionally trained and have experience in handling even the most difficult window installation projects. They will guarantee that your sunroom windows are properly installed and insulated. This is the key to making sure your windows will last as much as intended (40 years for Magic windows and doors!) and help you save money on energy bills.
Once the windows are installed and you’re glancing into the outside world through the lens of your favorite place in the house, it’s time to schedule a maintenance routine based on the materials you’ve chosen. You can ask the window manufacturer for advice in this regard to avoid damaging the frame or the glass.
Got an Interesting Sunroom Window Idea? Contact Magic!
No idea’s beyond our expertise! Whether you want uniquely shaped windows or a combination of fixed and operable windows and window walls – we’re here to grant your wish!
Hurry up and book a free consultation with Magic today – you’ll be a step closer to the sunroom of your dreams!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of windows are best for sunrooms?
Casement and sliding windows are great for sunrooms. If you want more glazing areas, go for window walls or pass-through windows.
What are the best materials for sunroom windows?
Magic’s Hybrid Fusion Frame is the best material for sunroom windows because it’s incredibly durable and energy efficient.
What window treatment is best for a sunroom?
Magic’s fully retractable solar shades and thermal blinds are the best window treatments for sunrooms. They improve the windows’ energy efficiency, ensure privacy, and block harmful UV rays. Magic’s thermal blinds also have soundproofing abilities.
Does a sunroom add value to a home?
It goes without saying that a sunroom increases property value, especially if its windows are of high-quality, energy-efficient materials.