Extension V Sun Room

ted1

Hi all,

We had been planning to get an extension but am now considering a sun room.

is there much difference between the two. it'll be used as living room/kids play room?

the price difference between the two seem to be a good bit.

Dardania

Thermal characteristics and later cleaning are the main differences.
With an extension, you can achieve good insulation & air tightness, and there is less likelihood you will be overheated in the sun.
Whereas with a sub room, unless you go for crazy expensive glazing, you will spend more on trying to heat it in winter to an acceptable temperature, while in summer depending upon your orientation, it might overheat due to solar gain. And it might need more cleaning.
So, bear that in mind - do you habitually run the boiler all day in winter? And what is the orientation?
When you say living room, will you watch TV in there - again brightness isn't the best for that.

ted1

Dardania wrote: »

Thermal characteristics and later cleaning are the main differences.
With an extension, you can achieve good insulation & air tightness, and there is less likelihood you will be overheated in the sun.
Whereas with a sub room, unless you go for crazy expensive glazing, you will spend more on trying to heat it in winter to an acceptable temperature, while in summer depending upon your orientation, it might overheat due to solar gain. And it might need more cleaning.
So, bear that in mind - do you habitually run the boiler all day in winter? And what is the orientation?
When you say living room, will you watch TV in there - again brightness isn't the best for that.

Hi, the rear of the house faces east so gets sun from midday till it drops behind the rear wall. Our heating bill is about 600 a year in gas , we’d bring a radiator out to it.
We’re looking at using a rated double glazed windows with a film to reduce solar gain

Yes there would be a TV in there.

To maximise light we are thinking of having a glazed apex roof with s velum aswell.

The kitchen/dining room ( We’ve already merged the two ) would remain in the middle of the house with another sitting room/ living room at front

Bracken81

ted1 wrote: »

Hi all,

We had been planning to get an extension but am now considering a sun room.

is there much difference between the two. it'll be used as living room/kids play room?

the price difference between the two seem to be a good bit.

There's a great reason the prices between the two are different
Most sun rooms/conservatory's aren't as popular nowadys, Unless installed correctly, there can be serious heating losses, which effect not just the sun room but the whole house.

An Extension constructed up to Build reg standards, with a large skylight would be the way to go

ted1

Bracken81 wrote: »

ted1 wrote: »

Hi all,

We had been planning to get an extension but am now considering a sun room.

is there much difference between the two. it'll be used as living room/kids play room?

the price difference between the two seem to be a good bit.

There's a great reason the prices between the two are different
Most sun rooms/conservatory's aren't as popular nowadys, Unless installed correctly, there can be serious heating losses, which effect not just the sun room but the whole house.

An Extension constructed up to Build reg standards, with a large skylight would be the way to go

I think we are going with walls at the side , large velux , glass wall including apex at the end with bi folding doors. The misses wants an RSJ and open up the whole back of the house. I think I’d prefer to open it where the door and windows are so there will be a 1.5m wall which breaks up the rooms. I think it’ll help divide the space and make it more useful

goz83

ted1 wrote: »

I think we are going with walls at the side , large velux , glass wall including apex at the end with bi folding doors. The misses wants an RSJ and open up the whole back of the house. I think I’d prefer to open it where the door and windows are so there will be a 1.5m wall which breaks up the rooms. I think it’ll help divide the space and make it more useful

I am just finishing off an extension. I had planned the rsj and opening up the back of the house to make one huge room, but we ended up keeping the existing openings (double door and kitchen window). It has worked out well. I have a thread in here I updated about a month ago. Will be updating again soon. I’ve just finished painting, coving and countertop tiling and trims. Only the washing machine and dryer need to be put in and it’s done. Then onto the pond!

goz83

I just updated that thread a couple of hours ago