YOUR GUIDE TO SUNROOM CONSTRUCTION Visit patioenclosures.com Table of contents Measuring your sunroom 3 Building permits 3 Site preparation 4 Ordering materials 4 The manufacturing process 4 Receiving materials 4 Installation 4 Blinds and shades installation 5 Maintenance 5 Condensation in your new enclosure 6 Your satisfaction matters 8 Submit a review 8 Other home improvement solutions 9 Questions? Call us at 800-230-8301. 2 Congratulations You have just made one of the best investments for your home, a Patio Enclosures® sunroom. This booklet contains valuable Building permits information on the processes involved Every community handles the in the design, manufacture and building permit process differently. installation of your sunroom. We Whether we obtain the permit or help encourage you to read through it you get the permit yourself, please at your convenience. remember we have no control over Please contact your local office if you local zoning requirements, building have any questions not addressed codes, regulations, waiting periods or here. We are always glad to hear from variances. We will do our best to help you. cut through any red tape. If you choose to get the permit Measuring your sunroom yourself, please contact your local Although it is not required, we’d prefer Patio Enclosures® office immediately your presence at the measurement. If after your permit has been issued. you can’t be present due to scheduling If we obtain the building permit, the issues, we will leave a door hanger operations administrator at your local to let you know your site has been office will contact you when your measured. permit arrives. Materials for your sunroom will be ordered when your permit has been obtained. Site preparation The manufacturing process We prepare the site for your new Once your order is sent to our factory sunroom before your installation in Macedonia, Ohio, our master begins. So, please expect a period fabricators begin manufacturing your of time between the concrete work, sunroom, specific to your design carpentry work, and electrical and requirements. building inspections. If you are doing your own site Receiving materials preparation, such as cement and/or Upon completion of the manufacturing carpentry work, please remember we process, your sunroom is shipped to cannot begin our part in the process your local office, where it is staged until your site work and building for installation. Your local office will inspections are complete. We must notify you to let you know when your take final measurements of the site in sunroom will be installed. order to process your order correctly. If you have any problems or questions, please let us know. Installation Usually 1-2 days in advance of your Ordering materials installation day, our local office will call to confirm your installation After your room is measured and the date, subject to inclement weather. permit issued, your order is entered A payment is generally due at the at your local office and sent to our start of your project. manufacturing facility in Macedonia, Ohio. You will be notified when the Our installers are specialists, factory- materials for your sunroom have been trained in sunroom construction ordered. This is typically when your and your sunroom is installed to our next payment is due. rigorous standards. Blinds and shades n It is advisable to avoid unnecessary installation activity on any roof, including your sunroom’s. An annual inspection of Upon completion of your sunroom, the roof and gutters is suggested. our installers will measure for blinds and shades. If you have purchased n Keep the door and window tracks our custom blinds and shades, your clean, inside and out. Use a pure order will be placed and manufactured. silicone spray to keep doors and Delivery will take approximately 4 windows operating smoothly. Do not to 5 weeks. Once your local office use an oil-based lubricant. (Oil-based receives your blinds and shades, you’ll lubricants tend to attract dirt.) be contacted to set up a convenient n Weep holes should be kept clear for installation date. Even if you have not proper drainage. purchased blinds and shades, we will have the measurements on file should n The wheels of the door and window you wish to purchase them in the units are adjustable. Should the future. need arise, there are openings at the bottom of each that give you Maintenance access to the adjustment screws. A No. 2 Phillips-head screwdriver While your new sunroom is nearly works well for this adjustment. maintenance free, here are a few tips to keep it looking and operating like new. n Don’t be afraid to use water on the roof and exterior walls to rinse off any accumulation of dirt or grime. The inside and outside may be cleaned with mild soap and water or any non- abrasive cleaner. 5 Condensation in your new How can I eliminate the interior enclosure condensation in my enclosure? Why does my new enclosure have The goal is to reduce the level of interior condensation? humidity indoors. If you are using a humidifier in the home, turn it down. Moisture on the inside pane of the Run your bathroom fan before and glass is caused by excessive moisture after showering or bathing for 15-20 in the room and generally becomes minutes. Kitchen fans should also most noticeable during the change run 15-20 minutes before and after of seasons. According to scientific cooking. If you do not have externally studies, two people can release up vented bath and kitchen fans, consider to ten pounds of moisture — a gallon installing them. Houseplants can and a half of water — into the air in also contribute to increased levels of their home every day, just through the humidity indoors. Try slightly opening daily routines of cooking, showering, the windows where you notice the cleaning and breathing. Interior condensation to allow the excess condensation is a very common moisture to escape. If you have drapes occurrence. Many people wonder if the or shades in your sunroom, try not new enclosure is to blame, however, closing them completely to allow sunroom glass cannot create moisture. warmer air to reach the glass. But, it does reveal excess moisture in sunroom. 6 My new enclosure sometimes has temperature of the glass of tea is exterior condensation. What causes closer to the outside air temperature, this? the outside of the glass remains warm and the condensation doesn’t Moisture on the outside of the glass is appear. External condensation (dew) simply dew, the same dampness that on sunroom glass can be a nuisance. you’ll find on your lawn, car, and the It is, however, quite normal and is an siding of your home. When there is a indication that the glass has a high change in the temperature (most often insulation value. in the spring and fall), you’ll tend to notice it in the mornings. The condensation forms when Is there anything I can do to get rid a particular set of atmospheric of exterior condensation? conditions exists: a glass temperature In short, just give it some time. As soon below dew point temperature; a as the sun can warm up the outside clear night sky; still air; high relative air, the humidity will be reduced humidity; and well-insulated glass. and the condensation will dissipate. The exterior surface of the glass can Sometimes you’ll notice certain areas radiate heat away to the night sky of the enclosure will get more exterior causing the glass temperature to fall condensation, while others rarely below the dew point of the ambient do. Where there is unimpeded air air. This is referred to as “night-sky circulation around a area, the chance radiation” and when this happens, it will have exterior condensation is moisture from the air condenses on greatly reduced. Subtle differences the glass surface. Only when the glass such as plants, shrubs, screens or temperature rises above the dew point even the location in the room can will the condensation evaporate back impact the air flow patterns outside. into the air. Think of sitting outside on Applying a product like Rain-X® to the a hot, humid day with a glass of iced outside pane has been shown to be tea. The moisture in the surrounding helpful in making the water bead up air condenses on the colder exterior and run off more quickly. surface of the glass. But if the Your satisfaction matters We take great pride in providing top-notch service to our customers. That’s why it’s important to us to hear how we’re doing. After your installation is complete, we will send you a satisfaction survey via email to ensure you are completely satisfied. Your design consultant will also reach back out to you to make sure you are enjoying your new room. Should you have any questions or concerns along the way, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Submit a review Scan the QR code below or go to: http://www.patioenclosures.com/submit-a-review.aspx Other home improvement solutions To complement your sunroom and home, we offer a variety of tailored home improvement solutions. n Custom Blinds and Shades n Patio, Entry and Storm Doors n Stanek® Vinyl Windows n Patio Covers For more information, ask your Design Consultant or call 800-230-8301 Visit patioenclosures.com 9.