Hello--

I've searched the forum and found some threads on sunrooms, but none quite answer my questions so if anyone has any thoughts advice...

We bought our bi-level (raised ranch) with a curved glass sunroom attached. We really liked the feature and was one of the factors in buying the house. Oops. We didn't realize all the seals on the windows were shot so you can't see through them, (glass etching on them dates them to 1975), the room has no cross ventilation and is so hot in the summer it is unusable (temps up to 120 f, broke the thermometer!) Now a window has shattered and we definitely need a fix or a solution. Of course the room leaks as well and and we are afraid of water damage to the house itself. We are also afraid to get back on the sunroom horse and just set ourselves up for similar problems.

The only game in town around here is a company that has been in business for 25 years, has a good reputation for service and does good work. a few people in our neighbor hood have had them install rooms this year. The sunroom 'product' they sell is by a company called Better Living. The components are extruded aluminum covered in vinyl. The window quality seems very good for the 4 season sunroom.

The cost quoted to install/build a gabled 12' x 12' 4 season sunroom, with a solid roof, with demolition and haul away of the old monstrosity was just over $31,700. They will have to place new supports under the room as it is on the second floor.

Is this price in line with what sunrooms cost? About 10% of the value of our house for such a tiny room? Should we not go with a prefab product and see what a contractor could do? Does anyone have a Better Living sunroom? (the warranty is 50 years on the structure, 15 on the seals, lifetime on glass shattering due to defects).

A three season sunroom has lower quality windows but is 2/3 the cost. Anyone with a three season sunroom care to share thoughts?

Thanks

Len

Here is a link that might be useful: Betterliving product data