A Top-Quality Custom Patio Cover or Sunroom For Inside Out Living
In our rainy climate in Nanaimo, BC, it makes a lot of sense to have an enclosed outdoor space. This room will more than likely become everyone’s new favourite spot in the house, becoming the preferred place for your art studio, game nights, parties, family dinners or simply a quiet space to take in the views.
Extending your living space and providing the ability to enjoy the outdoors even during bad weather, patio covers and sunrooms are a very worthwhile investment in your home. At Budget Glass, we’re a proud Four Seasons Sunroom and Patio Cover distributor.
Whether you choose a sunroom or an enclosed patio cover, there’s an option that’s perfect for your family.
Types of Sunrooms
Particularly in a wet climate like ours, indoor/outdoor areas are invaluable for spending time enjoying nature, while still in a warm, enclosed space.
Imagine being able to leave your patio furniture out year-round without worrying about it getting ruined by the sun and rain. Imagine letting the kids out to play knowing that they’re in a secure enclosed space and of course, adding even more usable living space to your home. This is an especially attractive option for ranch or bungalow style homes and homes with a deck space that is so open to the elements that it sits unused for much of the year.
Three-Season Sunrooms – Ideal for use during warm spring and fall days. The solid frame and full-length glass also provide excellent weather protection year-round, which is a step up from an enclosed patio. A three-season sunroom does not have its own independent heating and cooling system and is constructed of non-insulated single-pane glass, so it would be the hottest or coldest room in your home during the summer and winter.
Four-Season Sunrooms – Comfortable all year round. A four-season sunroom with independent heating and cooling, insulation and ventilation is essentially an upgrade from a three-season sunroom. The four-season sunroom is created from advanced insulated glass and framing materials. Together they work to keep the temperature the same as the rest of your home.
Types of Patio Covers
Open Patio Cover- Acting as a roof, this won’t fully protect you from the elements, but it is a cost-effective way to offer overhead coverage on rainy days and offer shade on hot days. Like enclosed covers, open patio covers have skylight panels to allow plenty of light in clear or bronze.
Patio Covers – A covered patio can be used comfortably during the warmer months. Because it doesn’t have climate control or the level of insulation that a sunroom would, it would be more useful during spring, summer and warmer fall days. A huge benefit of patio covers is that it protects your patio and its contents from rain, wind and snow.
Screen Rooms – A screen room offers a bit more structure to your patio while not being enclosed by glass. It will keep pesky insects at bay during summer BBQ’s and add the feeling of an enclosed space without any actual windows. It’s a slightly higher investment than a simple open patio cover, but a great choice for warmer weather.
Styles and Designs
With a large selection of gorgeous silhouettes and materials, our sunrooms and patios transition seamlessly between your indoor and outdoor spaces. We offer a wide range of glazing options to maximize energy savings, doorway, window, and skylight options as well, for a truly one-of-a-kind indoor/outdoor space.
Sunrooms
Today’s sunrooms and patio covers are carefully designed to enhance the architecture of your home. If a sunroom has a glass roof, it is referred to as a conservatory or solarium and if it has a roof that extends from the roof of the house, it might be called a studio, gable or traditional sunroom. At Budget Glass, we also offer the choice between fine structural materials including aluminum, vinyl and engineered wood in warm oak or pine tones. We also offer Conservaglass Select, which blocks up to 90% of harmful UV rays. View our extensive sunroom gallery.
Patio Covers
We offer a wide range of patio cover options designed to match and enhance your home. Choose from framing in white, black, or custom colours, a full glass, partial glass, or aluminum roof, glass styles in clear, opaque, or even bronzed, as well as wood or aluminum framing. View our gallery of custom patio covers.
The Construction
The steps will vary for each custom build, but there are a few basic things to keep in mind when weighing your options between a sunroom or patio cover.
Sunrooms
Because a sunroom is usually built over a brand new or pre-existing patio with no roof, a foundation is almost always required. This will ensure that it’s level, strong and will last for many decades. Generally, a building permit is required since this build will be treated like any permanent addition to your home. For more FAQ’s on sunrooms, check out our blog post here.
Patio Covers
A patio cover is a freestanding structure rather than an extension of your home and it typically won’t need its own foundation. A covered patio is built over a pre-existing patio or deck with a roof already in place. A well-constructed custom patio cover will feel like a natural extension of your home.
If you’re considering adding a sunroom or patio cover to your home this year, talk to our experts at Budget Glass first. We offer free, no-obligation quotes to help you easily narrow down your choices right down to colour selection. Serving the Nanaimo, BC area since 1983, we are experts in all things glass and carry and install only top-quality products. Contact us today to get started.