5 Tips On How to Heat a Sunroom in the Cold Winter
There’s no reason you can’t enjoy your sunroom all year long. During the winter, some families avoid using their sunroom. However, if you learn how to heat a sunroom in the cold winter, this can be a beautiful extra living space in your home. These five tips can help you stay toasty in your sunroom, even during the coldest days of the year.
Choose a Sunroom Instead of an Enclosed Porch or Three-Season Room
First, if you want an indoor/outdoor living space you can use all year, make sure you choose a true sunroom instead of an enclosed porch or three-season room. All three options are beautiful additions to your home. However, a sunroom typically has built-in heating (and cooling). This makes it possible to use your sunroom even when it is snowing outside.
Because a sunroom has heating and cooling, you can use it year-round as a second living room or even as a place to sleep. We have experience building beautiful sunrooms that double as a guest room. We can even build a sunroom with a glass ceiling so it feels like you are sleeping under the stars.
Make Sure Your Sunroom is Well Insulated
Insulation is key to keeping your sunroom warm during the winter. We, of course, build sunrooms with adequate insulation in the walls. With so many windows, however, you might be wondering how else you can provide insulation. Here are a few options:
- Use insulating curtains. When the sun is shining into your sunroom, open the drapes to let in the light. During the night, keep the insulated curtains closed to stop the heat from escaping.
- Add a tint to the windows. Proper tinting can help keep your sunroom warm.
- Cover the floor with a rug or carpet. This provides a layer of insulation, as well as giving your feet a plush, warm surface instead of cool tiles or hardwood. If you use a rug, you can roll it up during the summer when you might want to keep the room cooler.
- Use plastic to insulate your windows during the winter. It’s easy to remove during the summer months and won’t change your view.
We always use high-quality products, including insulated glass. This helps you have a space that is more efficient to heat and cool all year long. One of the best things you can do if you are wondering how to heat a sunroom in the cold winter is make sure you choose the best contractor to build your sunroom in the first place! This article has great advice on how to find a good deck contractor, and it’s similar to finding a good contractor for a sunroom project as well.
Add a Ceiling Fan (Spinning in the Right Direction)
A ceiling fan (or even two fans for a larger sunroom) can make a big difference in the warmth of the room. Did you know, though, that the direction of the spin matters? Many homeowners don’t even realize that you can change the direction.
Heat rises. So, in the summer, you want to push that air down and out so the cooler air isn’t “stuck” at your feet. To do this, set your fan at a counter-clockwise spin.
On the other hand, during the winter, you want to pull the air up, which helps redistribute warm air throughout the room. You can do this by making sure the ceiling fan is set to spin clockwise.
Want to learn more? This article from Bob Villa has great advice on how to ensure your ceiling fan is set up for maximum heating benefits during the winter.
Consider a Sunroom Fireplace
A fireplace can instantly make any room cozy. Not only does it give you a snug feeling, but it actually provides heat to the room. No matter the size of your sunroom, you can add a fireplace to keep it warm during the winter.
Adding a fireplace might at first seem like a large and expensive project. Of course, it can be. However, there are small and budget-friendly options as well. The important thing is to ensure the fireplace is properly vented, even if it is a removable fireplace.
This article has everything you need to know about including a fireplace in your sunroom design.
Use Your Sunroom During the Day
It might seem obvious, but the best way to stay warm in your sunroom is to use it when it is sunny outside! Sunrooms take advantage of the natural light. So, during the winter, use your sunroom during the day. Specifically, use your sunroom when it receives the most sun. Depending on your home’s orientation, this might be in the morning or in the afternoon.
Once the sun moves, close the curtains or shutters if you have them installed. You’ll block the view, but you’ll be able to keep your sunroom warmer longer.
FAQs about How to Heat a Sunroom in the Cold Winter
Do you have more questions about how to heat a sunroom in the cold winter and how to make your new outdoor living space as functional as possible? We’d love to answer any questions you have. Here are a few common questions we get about sunrooms.
Can I use space heaters to keep my sunroom warm?
Yes. Space heaters can be quite effective at heating a small space such as a sunroom, especially if you need to warm the room quickly. Just make sure that you are only running your space heater when you are in the sunroom. If you have small children or pets, a space heater may not be the best option.
What type of sunroom is best?
There are a few different types of sunrooms and other outdoor living spaces. However, the best option for families who want to use this room all year is a traditional sunroom. This type of addition has built-in heating, so it is the easiest to keep warm during the winter.
If you have more questions, click here to contact us. We’d love to set up a free consultation to speak to you about your sunroom needs.