Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 08, 1999 01:23am | #1

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   If that MI is your location and you are using factory windows, you may not be able to find single pane. I recently completed a sunroom in Washington State that included two sliding glass doors and a polycarbonate roof. I couldn't see the point in using $1200 worth of insulated glass doors with a single layer of plastic on the entire roof. I took the doors up from sunny So Cal where they are still available single, since they were not to be had in WA.

   I don't think the issue of the seal not lasting is important, since insulating glass is now the standard.

2. 
   LorieK_-_Michigan | Jan 08, 1999 01:30am | #2

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   Actually, we are not using factory-made windows. We are going to 'build' the jams and purchase only the glass. The average size of the glass will be 3ft X 4ft. Thus, our dilemma! We do have choices, we just want to make the right one! Thanks for your input!

3. 
   Guest_ | Jan 08, 1999 02:41am | #3

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   Lorie,Insulating glass is the way to go. Like Mike said the seal on the glass is'nt the issue.If you plan to heat the room now or in the future insulating glass is a must.I'd be more concerned with how you intend to mount the glass in the frame that you're making.Vince

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 08, 1999 03:03am | #4

   *It's an old axiom here in Wisconsin that a deck begets a screen porch that begets a three-season porch that begets a house addition. So, forget the combination storms or single pane windows -- put in proper, insulated windows. These will also provide a more comfortable vestibule when entering from outside. Also ensure that you are or can be HVAC'd and insulated when the three-season porch inevitably begets the house addition. Many an otherwise good porch has been torn down and replaced when it was determined that it could be neither heated nor insulated.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 08, 1999 08:06pm | #5

   *If you're going to stick to three season porch and not the Wisconsin plan, you might consider using wood combo storm/screen doors for walls and windows. Pretty efficient to "panel" the whole room with these with columns at the corners and hinge one or two for passage. Even counting your time as worth nothing, I don't believe you can beat the price.

4. 
   LorieK_/_Michigan | Jan 08, 1999 10:21pm | #6

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   Thanks for your input, Bill. Yes, we will be sticking with the 3 season idea. The design of the room really isn't conducive to the door idea. The size is 14X14 with a gazebo shaped front. The idea was to keep the room as open as possible to feel as if you were outdoors stil. It will have a high ceiling and the headers will be at the 9ft mark. It is a very long story, but were orignally going to make it 4 season with heat, but ran into foundation problems. We settled for this instead. (This was our original ideas before it snowballed!) We want it to be completely screen for the summer months and be able to use it in the cooler months - thus the glass idea. We are still wondering if the isulated glass is wise or should we use single pane.
   Thanks again.

5. 
   LorieK/MI | Jan 08, 1999 10:24pm | #7

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   Can anyone give me the pros and cons of using single pane glass vs insulated glass? We are building a 3 season room which will have all screen in the summer and all glass in the winter. It was suggested to us not to use insulated glass since the seal will not last. Does anyone have any insight to this issue? Thanks, LorieK / MI