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Discussion Forum

Sunroom opinion for the Pros

GreatWhiteNorthGuy | Posted in General Discussion on June 14, 2008 06:14am

Hi Fellas!

So, once again, in the spirit of “never leaving well enough alone” I’d like to add a sunroom to my place. I want the room to be a 4-season affair, super snug and dry and with the most glass that I can get away with. It’ll be a fairly easy build – not high in the air, a lean-to style. I’d like a wood finish on the inside and aluminum on the exterior. Pretty standard stuff.
So, I search the internet (as our local glass shops aren’t interested) and run it by one company that advertises a lot. Well, holy

! Nearly $ 20,000 (supplied only) for some glass and aluminum framing! C’mon, what the heck am I missing? Have you fellas ever done one of these? If so, did you build the superstructure yourself and then order low-E glass? I’m quite ticked off at the price and I really would like some feedback from any of you builders that have constructed such a thing.
I’ve attached a couple of photos to better show what I’m intending to do. Thanks to all in advance.
Cheers!
Ken

You live and learn. At any rate, you live.

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  1. User avater
    PeteDraganic | Jun 14, 2008 06:35pm | #1

    Not sure how big you are shooting for but I have bidders submit to me prices to construct entire storefront assemblies for fast food restaurants that are in the range of 14-20k typically... this is all of the doors and windows and aluminum framework, installed and complete... think of a taco bell restaurant if you are familiar with that chain.

     

    I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish.        Pete Draganic

  2. User avater
    PeteDraganic | Jun 14, 2008 06:38pm | #2

    OK, just looked at the pics... that should be very inexspensive to have done, labor and material.  You are obviosly dealing with the wrong people.

    You can skip the aluminum framework and build out of cedar timbers or another similar wood and add glass panes yourself.  You can order the insulated glass panels from a glass supplier for a good price.

     

    I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish.        Pete Draganic

    1. GreatWhiteNorthGuy | Jun 14, 2008 07:24pm | #3

      Thanks for the feedback, PeterDraganic:So, I want to use fir (stains nicely, matches everything else) but how do you protect the wood from the outside weather? The fir doesn't stand up well to UV light and extreme heat - both of which I have where I live.
      I mean, in the ICI sector an architect would spec this and a millwork shop & glass house would come up with a workable combo, right? Why is it that as soon as it's "residential" the details go down while the price goes up? Double-glazed triple low-E glass isn't a new invention. Is it because it has to be a heavier gauge because it creates a roof? I've seen the kind of sunroom that you've mentioned (Taco Bell, etc.) and they've got thermally-broken aluminum framing and sealed units and the work just fine. The only thing is, they're butt-ugly. Too commercial looking for a home situation. So, I thought I'd have a wood component on the inside. Is this asking too much? Sigh.Cheers,
      KenYou live and learn. At any rate, you live.

      1. User avater
        PeteDraganic | Jun 14, 2008 07:51pm | #4

        You can build out of Douglas Fir and cap with aluminum on the outside.

        I'm surprised to hear that douglas fir doesn't age well in your environement.  It has a good reputation for doing well in ours, Northeast Ohio... very heavy mix of all extremes of heat and cold and moisture.

        Don't know if the triple low-e gas you are requesting is a hassle or not instead of the standard filler gas.  Commercial doesn't offer as many bells and whistles as residential customers may be acustomed to.... and not sure if the upgrade is all that worthwhile overall.

        Residential tends to cost more for two reasons that I can think of.... first and foremost because of the greater amount of detail with less production... second is dealing with homeowners which are a lot more work than GCs or construction managers of commercial projects.

        <!----><!----><!----> 

        I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish.        Pete Draganic

      2. jjwalters | Jun 14, 2008 07:57pm | #5

        In the past I've built these things for different clients.......I used cedar inside like the pictures.... outside I had my glass guy come over, measure, make and install the glass for a hell of a lot less expensive than what you're talking about.......secret......it's a lot better to have the glass guy do ALL glass......cause he delivers/installs/fixes what he breaks.I used a tape (maybe 4" across with really sticky rubber on one side and aluminum foil on the other (this is the tape Lindal Cedar Homes uses on their sun rooms) It worked as the water/weather guard.......then I covered the tape with cedar 1x ........clear cedar is the only way to go with all that glass cause, well there are lots of reasons.....bent nails hitting knots and deflecting into a glass panel is one.........

        1. GreatWhiteNorthGuy | Jun 14, 2008 08:44pm | #6

          Thanks for the tip about cedar, jjwalters. I especially can understand the wayward nail into a knot and the problems that can create: c-r-a-c-k. Yikes!Cheers,
          KenYou live and learn. At any rate, you live.

  3. dovetail97128 | Jun 14, 2008 11:44pm | #7

    I would suggest you start your component pricing here:
    http://www.conservationtechnology.com/downloads/TimberGlazingSections.pdf
    Then the :
    Glass shop (overhead glazing must be safety glass IIRC)
    Lumber yard for clear cedar/redwood/Fir
    Electrician for vent fan/humidistat
    Design/Engineering costs
    Labor for project
    Lumber Yard/Batch Plant/ Paint Store etc. for Materials for everthing not included in frame and glazing.

    When you are done with that list and totaled it up I think you may just be surprised .

    They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
    1. GreatWhiteNorthGuy | Jun 15, 2008 12:59am | #9

      Much appreciated, dovetail,I can't believe how helpful the crew is that contributes to this forum. And those attachements...Wow!
      For what it's worth, I'm actually a pretty handy guy, but the glazing component is leaving me perplexed. I mentioned $ 20,000 for this little, glass lean-to and that's without any install labor. I'm not in need of kneewalls or concrete or any such thing either. And I'm also aware of a multitude of other things (flooring, electrical, etc.) but it's just basic enclosure that I can't come to terms with.
      Has the price of aluminum fintube and glass gone up so drastically that I have to pay so an exhorbibarant amount for supply only? I can see why people put on those ugly three-season jobs and why they eventually hate them. Too hot in the Summer and freezing cold in the Winter. So, I'm trying to ramp it up a bit, but it still appears that these suppliers are talking three-season units. Very frustrating.
      I'm going to call a big glass house and an architect next week and see if I'm missing something.
      Thanks very much for your feedback, too.
      Cheers,
      KenYou live and learn. At any rate, you live.

    2. GreatWhiteNorthGuy | Jun 16, 2008 08:15am | #10

      One more thing, dovetail... if you don't mind.Can I buy these sealed units from Conservation Technology and put them on my framing? I love the details that I looked - very watertight design. Thanks for your help.Cheers,
      KenYou live and learn. At any rate, you live.

      1. dovetail97128 | Jun 16, 2008 08:41am | #11

        Not sure what you mean by sealed units. You mean the thermo pane glass? If so then no.
        I am not really that knowledgeable about what Conservation Tech. sells.

        I just knew they sold glazing components made of aluminum extrusions, and if that is what you are referring to then yes, you can.
        They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

  4. dovetail97128 | Jun 14, 2008 11:46pm | #8

    Forgot to add I site built type units these for a number of years, and sold them for a few more years for a high end manufacturer.

    They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

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