Sunroom- part 2

[gsmurray24]

Well, the cathedral ceiling roof was absolutely the right call. It looks fantastic. When I got it framed, the two triangle openings were just left that way as part of the framing process, but when we saw it, we decided to make them widows, and that was another great revision that totally improved the overall project.

I had four 5 x 5 windows ordered from HD, and they went in with no problem. I ordered to triangle double-pane windows from a local glass supplier, and proceeded to break one on installation! That sucked, and set me back $75 and three days, but it all came out in the wash.

It is now the wife's favorite room in the house, and we can sit out at night with no bugs! Some day, I may take out the two windows leading into the dining room and run heat in there....we'll see how cold this winter is out there. Maybe a pellet stove.....who knows? Anyways, another successful project that I must brag about!

[scuba_dave]

Very nice, I do like the triangle windows
I built a ~16x16 sunroom that faces South
2 walls of windows/glass doors & 6 skylights
8' warp-around deck to a hot tub
I'm in the process of siding now - the whole house

Trex is well known for falling apart
Did you insulate it all?
I used R19 in tha walls & R38 in the ceiling, R15 on the floor (cement pad)
I also put in an LVL & opened ~12' of wall into the kitchen
Something to think about doing with your windows

What are you doing at the bttom - the OSB board showing?

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y105/Daveywb/Construction/DSCF5937.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y105/Daveywb/Construction/South9.jpg

[gsmurray24]

Well, I used R-11 in the walls and R-19 in the ceilings. I haven't done underneath the floors, for fear of moisture and mold. I actually left it open as I contemplate whether or not to insulate before I close it up. I

sheathed the underside of the floor joists to keep critters out, and I have attached lathe mesh to the backside of the bottom of the structure, burying it 6 inches in the dirt, also to keep critters from building homes underneath.

I was going to finish that bottom 2 feet or so with a brick veneer, and then carry it around the rest of the house. But now I'm considering wrapping a 6-8 foot porch around the back, so I may just run the siding another 2 feet lower.

Any thoughts on the underside? Should I completely insulate and seal it up? Some call for leaving ventilation vents so as to keep down on moisture problems. Being that it does sit above grade, I'm not sure.....

[Ohm1]

Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pushkins]

If your going to close in the crawl space then you must install vents, and you'd be nuts not to add floor joist insulation, in the scheme of things it's cheap, especially since you'd not sure on adding heating and cooling yet, at worst it will add at least another month of comfortable use.


Hey Dave, what's that hanging down on your house (second piccy) ? next to the ladder

[scuba_dave]

That will be the start of my solar heating system
Basically you fill the inside with columns of alum cans painted black w/holes in the bottom
Front will be old sliding glass doors
Cold air input vent from house on the left 4th pc siding up
Hot air out will be on the top far right

Someone else had this one - no cans just black screening
85 degree air coming out on a cold winter day
Someone else built one 1/2 the size of mine & they were getting 130 degree air out the top
They even connected a fan to a solar panel to push more air thru the setup

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y105/Daveywb/Home%20Stuff/slidingdooroutsidepanel07m.jpg

[pushkins]

OK now you have me intrigued, do you have a schematic of that set up ?

[scuba_dave]

Here's a link to one online
http://hackedgadgets.com/2008/09/18/pop-can-solar-heater/

A small test setup someone built:
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2007/04/26/almost-free-garage-heat-just-drink-a-lot-of-soda/

Here is one premade that is $2700 !!
http://www.cansolair.com/

[Bull]

Very nice looking projects guys, and Thanks Dave for the solar info post.

[Bismarck Jack]

Great project and the interior finish looks excellent. You can surely be proud of this one.:ridinghorse:

[gsmurray24]

Thanks, Bismarck Jack!

Now that the "outside" work is done, I'm back downstairs finishing the basement. I thought I saw some posts where you were doing the same thing. I'll start another thread regarding some questions/issues I'm facing.

Thanks again for the kind words! :vroam:

[Bismarck Jack]

Basement yes. that was an ongoing project, but the payoff was great. we enjoy spending time down there. and when we have family over, the kids go down there and the adults can now relax upstairs and on the deck. Good luck and keep posting as i will be able to check now and then. I am in Germany at the moment, soon to be in Kosovo. Had just a few minutes to check the forum.

Feel free to ask questions. I am no pro, but i have learned the lessons and may have some useful insight.

[scuba_dave]

Funny. my basement is my last project too
But its more just to insulate, clean & organize

Insulating the area underneath can help keep the room warmer
Not sure where you are located?
Sunrooms are great, the triangle windows really make it look better - $$ well spent

[gsmurray24]

Dave, I'm in sunny Buffalo- actually, it's raining today!

Thanks for the props and the insulation suggestion. I'll get something under there before I close it up.

[Harbormaster]

Very nice, I do like the triangle windows
I built a ~16x16 sunroom that faces South
2 walls of windows/glass doors & 6 skylights
8' warp-around deck to a hot tub
I'm in the process of siding now - the whole house

Trex is well known for falling apart
Did you insulate it all?
I used R19 in tha walls & R38 in the ceiling, R15 on the floor (cement pad)
I also put in an LVL & opened ~12' of wall into the kitchen
Something to think about doing with your windows

What are you doing at the bttom - the OSB board showing?

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y105/Daveywb/Construction/DSCF5937.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y105/Daveywb/Construction/South9.jpg

Very clean job!

[gsmurray24]

Nice work, I really like the skylights.

At the base of the exterior walls I finished it off down to grade with Hardy Board, and then house wrap, but then winter came......well, we haven't quite decided whether to finish that part off with a stone veneer type finish, or add a wrap-around deck, which would negate the need to finish the bottom.

Once this blasted snow melts and spring finally arrives, we'll get back out there and make some decisions. Either way, the room is a huge hit with the wife and me, and we love sitting out there with coffee and the paper soaking up the sun. I may someday bust out the rear window of the house, insert a header, and open her up to the rest of the living area......

So many projects, so little time.....now, back to the basement where the drywall finishing awaits......!