Glass Structure Planning Guide for Homeowners
Imagine your home aglow with natural sunlight, its spaces seamlessly connected to the outdoor environment through your new addition’s gorgeous, high-performing glass roof and windows. Glass construction has the power to transform living spaces in incredible ways. However, incorporating glass wall, door, window, and roof elements requires careful engineering, planning and the help of talented builders. That’s where Sunspace Design comes in.
We’ve created this guide to empower homeowners considering renovation projects by offering essential insights and considerations for your glass renovation projects. From understanding what to look for when selecting a firm, to making informed decisions about materials, to the installation of your new glass structure in the perfect location—we’ll go over what you need to know to confidently embark on the journey to brighten your home with beautiful sunshine.
Selecting a Glass Structure Dealer or Construction Expert
Many glass structure dealerships only offer prefabricated sunrooms, conservatories, orangeries, or greenhouses lacking in customization options. These units are often hindered by manufacturing limitations that restrict their suitability for certain regions and climates. That can be a significant drawback in a region with highly variable weather like New England! When investing in a home renovation, the last thing you need is an irresponsible firm leaving you behind to face a series of headaches caused by inadequate heating or cooling, poor ventilation, leaks, soaring bills, or worse. Equally important is choosing a firm with enough design talent to enhance your home’s aesthetic appeal with the new construction.
Research is crucial. Consider speaking directly with a company’s recent clients or requesting references. Your goal at this stage is to ensure the firm’s qualifications and experience align with your expectations. Be an educated consumer by having questions about processes, warranties, materials, estimates, timelines, adjustments, and the contract’s terms prepared in advance. Don’t hesitate to request examples of similar projects the company has completed for past clients. If there’s any doubt as to the company’s credentials, investigate their business profiles and social media presence. Pay close attention to review feedback the company has received. Taking these steps will give you a clearer picture of what to expect.
Designing Your Home Addition or Renovation
Once you’ve chosen a reputable company and made initial contact, your exciting design adventure begins! Open communication is paramount; clearly convey your ideas, concerns, and goals for your glass project. A skilled design-build firm can translate your vision into tangible sketches, illustrating various options and approaches. Throughout the iterative process of design, budgeting, and further refining your plans, continue sharing your goals to ensure they can be realized within any budgetary constraints you might have. The culmination of this collaborative effort will be a final plan that satisfies your aspirations and spending goals alike.
As designs are refined, you’ll be working beside your builder to meticulously select the construction elements that will support your chosen glass structure. The decisions you’ll make together will ensure the new glass construction seamlessly fuses with your home’s look and feel in an inviting, aesthetically intentional way. If you’ve selected to work with a custom design-build firm, your choice will pay dividends at this stage. The level of customization and careful integration you’ll receive is unattainable with prefabricated products. The allure, performance, and lasting comfort made possible by a carefully tailored design-build process is an undeniable advantage — our specialty here at Sunspace Design.
Your glass structure will likely require a robust foundation of helical piers or poured concrete walls. A conventionally framed base wall may be necessary to house heating and electrical components. The wall between the glass enclosure and your home may be removed to create a seamless transition into the new living space. Alternatively, elegant sliding doors, atrium doors, or classic French doors can provide access to your new glass space. Additional considerations include exterior siding, trim, interior finishes, flooring, and the many other unique stylings and details that can personalize your project.
Remember that your sunroom, orangery, or conservatory should feel like an organic extension of your home. An effective design process aims to achieve a harmonious blend between your new structure and the existing architecture. Seamless integration is the hallmark of a skilled glass construction specialist. Choosing a company without access to an in-house or partnered design-build team like ours necessitates coordinating multiple firms yourself. At Sunspace Design, we can serve as your general contractor to offer a one-stop shop experience, or work in direct partnership with other firms you’ve chosen. You’ll enjoy a smooth, cohesive journey from concept to completion in each case.
Sunspace Design is a one-stop design and construction company that gets the job done throughout New England.
Our team is experienced and capable. And the results? Absolutely stunning.
Budgetary Expectations for Glass Structure Projects
It’s true: prefabricated models are undeniably cheaper than custom-built alternatives. Unfortunately, the compromise in quality can push hidden costs down the road. Custom-designed and engineered solutions deliver superior aesthetics, performance, durability, and lasting value. Budgets for these projects are comparable to those of conventional upscale construction projects of similar size and craftsmanship.
Every homeowner embarking on a renovation must prioritize their goals. A high-quality, custom addition will command a higher price tag, but the results will undoubtedly justify the investment. The adage “you get what you pay for” holds especially true in the construction industry. At Sunspace Design, we pride ourselves on maximizing the value of every dollar you invest. Our clients receive stunning, enduring results.
“Given our unique home design, we called a number of companies and looked at numerous options when we decided to replace an existing, 38 year-old glass sunroom. We knew we didn’t want one of those aluminum-looking, “bolt on” sunrooms that seem like an afterthought! Our main goal was custom glass structure with a beautiful exterior and interior look and feel that would fit into the existing architecture in a seamless and elegant way. Sunspace Design really delivered.
From the initial conversation, through the design phase, to the demolition of the existing structure, to the delivery, construction and finish work: they took care of everything. Sunspace managed the entire project on budget and on time. If you are looking for a high-end, top quality, reliable home project partner, Sunspace Design should be on your call list.”
— Dave & Val, Sunspace Design clients
When setting your budget, it’s helpful to understand the major components that will contribute to your new addition’s final cost.. Whether you’re envisioning a conventional construction project, or a custom sunroom, conservatory, orangery, or greenhouse, anticipate the following expenditures:
- Support System – Your new structure needs a stable foundation. This might involve the introduction of helical piers or poured concrete walls.
- Frame – This includes the floor system, base walls, and all other structural elements that provide the framework for your glass enclosure.
- Glass Enclosure – The glass enclosure itself. In the case of a conventional construction project, this includes walls, roof components, siding, insulation, plaster, and trim.
- Electrical System – Wiring, outlets, switches, and lighting are needed to power and illuminate your new space.
- Heating and Cooling System – Four-season enclosures require heating and cooling systems to ensure year-round comfort. These could range from ductless split systems to radiant floor heating, baseboard heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, and more.
- Flooring – You’ll want your flooring selection to complement your design aesthetic and functional needs.
- Documents – Building permits, construction drawings, plot plans, surveys, and other documents will likely be required to ensure compliance with codes and regulations.
An effective estimate will encompass all the elements necessary to complete and prepare your new space for occupancy. Before proceeding, double check that all probable requirements are included in the budget. Any additional items and costs not included in the budget should be listed and priced individually.
This orangery-style skylight and enclosure was installed by Sunspace Design in Medfield, MA.
When you partner with an experienced firm like ours, you can expect the very best quality.
Establishing a realistic budget from the outset is crucial. An experienced builder can provide preliminary cost estimates based on recently completed projects. If your estimate is too high, work with your specialist to modify the plans until you strike the right balance of vision and affordability. If you partner with Sunspace, we’ll be committed to guiding you through the budgeting process by providing transparent communication and expert advice every step of the way.
Sunspace Design’s Glass Design and Construction Expertise
We’re meticulous in our approach. Through over 45 years of continuous operation, we’ve designed and built hundreds of breathtaking residential sunrooms, conservatories, orangeries, greenhouses, pool enclosures, and other unique glass structures. Our extensive history has given us a deep understanding of our clients’ needs and the challenges of building in New England. We’ve honed our skills in order to solve a wide array of complex problems, consistently exceeding expectations to create incredible spaces for our clients.
Transparency is the cornerstone of our approach. When we provide an estimate, you can trust it to include a comprehensive breakdown of all project costs. We understand that unexpected expenses can be frustrating, and we strive to minimize surprises by providing a clear picture of your investment from the start.
This happy Belmont, MA family received a gorgeous kitchen renovation. See the details here.
See those smiles? That’s how you should feel in your brand new space!
We also help you make informed decisions by proactively identifying and addressing key areas of consideration within the budget. You’ll be carefully advised on crucial aspects of your project, including ventilation, glass selection, window choices, and door options. We’ll equip you with the knowledge you need to make choices confidently.
As a full-service design-build firm, we can offer a seamless experience from initial concept to final construction. Our team of experts will guide you from start to finish smoothly and without stress. When serving as a glass specialist subcontractor, we’ll join forces with your existing team to enhance your project with our custom glass craftsmanship.
Are you ready to transform your home with the beauty and functionality of custom glass? Contact us today to learn more about our offerings. We’re ready to discuss your project goals and provide the information you need. Begin your journey by reaching us through our contact form, emailing us at info@sunspacedesign.com, or calling us at 1-800-530-2505.
Original Post Date: 2017-10-25
Last Updated: 2024-09-10