Tell Me More - How To Compare Sun Rooms: What To Watch For, And Watch Out For!

If you are buying a sun room, there are many different things to consider. Not all sun room dealers and manufacturers are the same! When buying a sun room, Betterliving really does mean better living sun rooms!

By all means, Betterliving urges you to SHOP and COMPARE….and here are 11 things you should consider before buying a sunroom.

Also, click here to download our Consumers Guide To Patios & Sunrooms.

01. See the sun room
02. Compare the cost and value of a sun room
03. Ask about UL® Approval
04. Check the roller wheels on windows and doors
05. What about ENERGY STAR®?
06. Ask about insurance
07. Screens should be glare free
08. Check out the handles
09. Ask if sub-contractors will be used on the construction
10. Be sure you get the right permits and the necessary inspections
11. What type of warranty is included?

1. See the sun room [back to top]
Ask if the contractor has a showroom where you can see full size models. As soon as you walk through the door you should get a sense as to how comfortable you would feel having the contractor work on your home. Ask if the contractor has a display home where you can see their finished work on someone's home.

Your Betterliving sun room dealer will be happy to show you fully furnished sun rooms either in our showroom or at a neighbor's home!

2. Compare the cost and value of a sun room [back to top]
After you visit a showroom, make sure they offer a free, no obligation consultation and measure at your home to provide you with an exact cost for your project. Some contractors offer estimates over the phone. This can hide the true cost of a sun room project. Scheduling an appointment will be the only true way to be sure you can compare the cost and value of each product before selecting a sun room company.

Your Betterliving sun room dealer offers free in-home design consultations and to-the-penny price with no hidden costs.

3. Ask about UL® Approval [back to top]
Would you live in a home where the electric system was not UL approved? Be sure the sunroom has UL approved wiring systems.

Betterliving sun rooms have UL certification for electric wiring - some others don't!

4. Check the roller wheels on windows and doors [back to top]
It's the rollers that keep operation smooth for the long term. Steel rollers on stainless steel tracks are the best system for heavy windows and doors. Be sure the rollers are covered under the warranty.

The windows and doors in Betterliving sun rooms have rugged steel rollers run on a stainless steel track and have a 15 year warranty.

5. What about ENERGY STAR®? [back to top]
ENERGY STAR is a national program that rates the energy efficiency of consumer products. Sun rooms designed for year round heating and cooling are eligible to earn the ENERGY STAR. If you are considering a four season sun room, be sure the windows and doors are ENERGY STAR qualified in all 50 states.

All Betterliving vinyl windows and doors are ENERGY STAR® qualified in all 50 states. You can go to the ENERGY STAR Partner List web page and search for "Craft-Bilt" to confirm our status as a ENERGY STAR Product Manufacturers Partner.

6. Ask about insurance [back to top]
Workers compensation insurance is a big expense that many contractors don't want to absorb, so they cut corners by hiring sub-contractors to do the installation. If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you could bear the liability.

All Betterliving sun room dealers carry workers compensation insurance on all employees and use no sub-contractors.

7. Screens should be glare-free [back to top]
Black aluminum screens minimize the obstruction of your outdoor view, and are stronger than fiberglass screens.

Betterliving sun room screens are long-lasting black aluminum and are glare-free.

8. Check out the handles [back to top]
Your sun room will get lots of use, so the door handles should be strong and easy to use. Color matched handles with mortise locks look better - and last longer. Screen handles should be full size and well fastened.

Betterliving uses color matched handles with mortise locks.

9. Ask if sub-contractors will be used on the construction [back to top]
If so, find out how and what part of the work will they do. If sub-contractors are used for specialty work on your installation, be sure they are fully insured and that your sunroom company will stand behind their work.

All Betterliving sun room dealers use only full time, factory-trained employees to build sun rooms.

10. Be sure you get the right permits and the necessary inspections [back to top]
Identify what permits will be required and how they will be processed. Find out who will schedule the inspections required by your local building department.

Betterliving sun room dealers handle all permitting from start to finish.

11. What type of warranty is included? [back to top]
How long is the labor guarantee, and what does it include? Ask about the Manufacturer's Warranty, and who stands behind it!
Craft-Bilt, the Company that manufactures the Betterliving brand, a leader in home improvements since 1946, stands behind our 50 year warranty, and we stand behind our labor guarantee!

Please contact us for referrals and pricing information.