How to choose a better option for installing a sunroom at home?

Pillar 1: Skeleton Frame - Profile Selection

The frame is the skeleton of the sunroom, determining its structural safety, stability, and basic performance.

Broken bridge aluminum alloy (preferred recommendation):

Advantages: High strength, good durability, no deformation, no rust. The core lies in the "broken bridge" design - inserting insulation strips into aluminum profiles to effectively block heat conduction and achieve excellent insulation performance. Sleek appearance with multiple color options.

Applicable: The preferred choice for the vast majority of families, especially for spaces that require comfort.

Steel structure (careful selection):

Advantages: With extremely high structural strength, it is suitable for sunrooms with super large spans and special shapes. The price is relatively low.

Disadvantage: Extremely strong thermal conductivity, which is one of the culprits causing "cold in winter and hot in summer". Even with internal insulation treatment, the effect is not comparable to that of broken bridge aluminum. And there is a risk of rusting (requiring high-quality rust prevention treatment).

Applicable: Flower rooms and greenhouses with limited budget and extremely low insulation requirements.

Wood (a niche choice):

Advantages: The highest appearance value, natural warmth, and excellent insulation performance.

Disadvantages: Expensive price, requiring extremely high craftsmanship and long-term careful maintenance (moisture-proof, anti-corrosion, insect proof), otherwise it is easy to crack and deform.

Applicable to high-end users who pursue ultimate natural aesthetics and have sufficient budget.

Pillar 2: Transparent Skin - Glass Configuration

Glass is the skin of a sunroom, with the largest proportion of area, directly determining safety, thermal and sound insulation performance, and comfort.

Glass type:

Tempered glass (standard): must be used! Its safety is much higher than ordinary glass, and it breaks into particles, which is not easy to harm people. There is a 3C certification mark.

Hollow glass (main insulation material): Two or more pieces of glass are synthesized and filled with dry air or inert gas in the middle. It is the core configuration for improving thermal insulation capacity (such as 5+12A+5, which means 5mm glass+12mm hollow layer+5mm glass).

Laminated glass (preferred for safety and noise reduction): A layer of PVB film is sandwiched between two pieces of glass. Even if it breaks, the fragments will stick to the film, providing higher safety and better impact resistance and blocking of low-frequency noise (such as raindrops and airplane roars). Very suitable for use on the top surface.

Low-E glass (energy-saving artifact): Coated with multiple layers of metal film on the surface of the glass, it can reflect infrared rays like a mirror, block indoor heat leakage in winter, and block outdoor heat from entering in summer, significantly improving energy-saving effect.

Recommended configuration for top glass: For safety and insulation considerations, the top glass must be tempered glass, and it is strongly recommended to use a combination of "laminated insulated glass" or "Low-E insulated glass" to ensure safety, sound insulation, and thermal insulation.

Pillar 3: Sky Above - Top Design

The top surface is directly exposed to sunlight and rain, and design is crucial.

Top type selection:

Slant top/herringbone top: Highly recommended. Smooth drainage, less likely to accumulate dust and snow, safe structure, and wider internal space.

Flat top: Modern and simple, but poor drainage, prone to dirt and water stains, with extremely high requirements for materials and construction.

Bent dome/multi corner roof: Beautiful in shape, but complex in craftsmanship, expensive in price, and may have water leakage hazards.

Essential attachments:

Sunshade system (mandatory!): Even the best glass cannot completely isolate solar radiation. Sunshade equipment must be installed.

Ceiling Curtain (External>Internal): External ceiling curtains reflect sunlight before it comes into contact with glass, providing much better insulation than internal ones.

Electric honeycomb curtain/louver curtain: Built in, with both sunshade and privacy functions.

Drainage system: Design reasonable drainage channels and downspouts to ensure that rainwater can be quickly drained during heavy rain.

Pillar 4: Comfortable Details - Doors, Windows, and Accessories

Details determine the final user experience.

Door and window system: The doors and windows of the sunroom itself (usually broken bridge aluminum doors and windows) should maintain the same performance and quality as the main frame to ensure overall sealing.

Ventilation system (mandatory!): To prevent stuffiness and condensation.

Skylight: crucial! The hot air rises, and the sunroof is the key to expelling the hot air. It is recommended to choose an electric sunroof, which can be linked with a wind and rain sensor and automatically closes when it rains.

Side windows: Ensure sufficient number of windows and convection space.