Wall material for 3-season sunroom
Sunshine2024
| Posted in General Questions on
We’re in the process of building a 14 x 26′ 3 season sunroom. We are installing 3 season vinyl windows (Sunspace). This is located in South Eastern Ontario, Canada, so milder winters, some what hot summer’s.
I was told to avoid drywall due to the space being unheated and potentially humid.
I plan to wrap and insulate the building as if one day we might make it 4 season, e.g WRB, 2″ foam, insulate inside, vapor barrier. However in the short term we will have the 3 season windows.
What are some materials that could be used on the inside to finish it?
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Replies
Spring now for the four season windows. Even with no heat or AC you'll be way ahead of the game if you were to decide to switch out 3 season for 4 season down the road. Get the best window you can afford and insulate as best you can.
I agree with Nick. I'm working with clients now who had to make a similar decision when I designed renovations to their sunroom. They opted to keep it uninsulated, with the existing cheap windows, and as a result they hardly use it, which is a shame because it's directly on the Maine coast with an amazing view, but it's almost always too hot or too cold to sit out there.
What we did for interior finishes there, which I have always liked, was to installed unfinished poplar boards. (Yellow poplar, not populus sp.) They go up with a greenish cast but age to a lovely light chestnut color. You can add an a clear acrylic finish if you want to.
Sunshine 2024,
Another vote to upgrade the windows. If like most "sunrooms" the windows exceed 1/3 of the wall surface area then most of your heat loss or gain are due to them not the wall insulation. Non paper faced drywall or possibly Denshield tile board could provide a safe alternative to the poplar boards if that material is to pricey.
I would be more concerned about the floor structure and roof. You haven't mentioned either.