Wisconsin summers are short, so we make the most of every nice day we get. It’s why the first 50-degree afternoon in April feels like a holiday and why we’ll sit outside in a sweatshirt well into October. A sunroom or three-season porch lets you stretch those seasons a little further on both ends, with fresh air and sunshine when the weather cooperates and a comfortable spot to take in the view when it doesn’t.
The windows and doors do most of the work in a room like this. Here’s what to look for.
What are the best window styles for a sunroom?
The right mix of windows lets you open up the room on warm days and still enjoy the view on cooler ones.
- Picture windows are large, fixed windows with no obstruction to the glass. They let you soak in the backyard, the woods, or the lake, even when it’s too chilly to sit outside.
- Casement and awning windows are the ones you’ll open the first warm day of spring. Casements crank open fully to catch side breezes, and awning windows hinge at the top so you can leave them open during a light summer rain.
- Gliding windows slide side to side and fit into wide, shorter openings, such as the space above a knee wall.
- Bay and bow windows project out from the wall, pulling in more light and adding a little extra space for a reading chair or plants.
Many sunrooms pair a picture window with casement or awning windows on each side, so one wall gives you both the view and the breeze.
What kind of glass works best in a room full of windows?
The right glass helps keep a sunroom comfortable in spring and fall, when Wisconsin weather can swing from warm to cold in a single day. Renewal by Andersen’s High-Performance Low-E4® glass helps hold heat in when it’s cool and keep it out when it’s hot. For sunrooms facing south or west, SmartSun™ glass adds extra protection against summer heat and the UV rays that fade furniture, rugs, and floors.
What door should connect a sunroom to the house or deck?
A good door makes your sunroom feel like part of the house and an easy step to the backyard.
- Gliding patio doors slide along a track and don’t need room to swing, which helps in smaller sunrooms or where furniture sits close to the door.
- Hinged patio doors swing open wide, making it easy to move between the house, the sunroom, and the deck on summer evenings.
Both are custom-built for your opening and can match the glass on your windows.
Why does frame material matter with this much glass?
A Wisconsin sunroom can see strong afternoon sun and a freezing night within the same day, especially in spring and fall. Frames that expand and contract too much with those swings can loosen seals over time. Renewal by Andersen windows and patio doors are made with Fibrex® material, a composite of reclaimed wood fiber and thermoplastic polymer that’s built to withstand temperature changes without rotting, warping, or requiring paint.
Make the most of every nice day
Schedule a consultation with Renewal by Andersen of Greater Wisconsin to find the right windows and doors for your sunroom or three-season porch.
