Bump-Out Sunroom Replacements in Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth, New Hampshire is defined by historic charm and coastal beauty, but the harsh Atlantic weather can be unforgiving to inadequate construction materials. The passage of time made this reality evident for owners of a prominent local condo complex in the area as their aluminum sunroom bump-outs began to fail. These aging units, common to construction projects from previous decades, suffered from poor thermal design and rampant seal damage. This made for cold, drafty interiors and continual water leaks that were slowly corroding the structural elements of the building itself.
Sunspace Design was brought in to introduce a permanent solution providing modern performance while meeting strict condominium association guidelines. This was a comprehensive design-build effort that first involved the removal of the rotted structural elements and the subsequent installation of watertight, energy-efficient envelopes. Each failing unit was replaced with a high-performance structure with proportions identical to its predecessor when viewed from the exterior.
To move away from the original conductive aluminum framing, we designed new units using solid mahogany. Mahogany offers superior thermal insulation and aesthetics, vastly improving the comfort of the living space for the residents. We paired our custom wood framing with color-matched exterior cladding to satisfy the visual requirements of the condo board. The upgrade also saw the introduction of Solarban 70 Argon-filled insulated glass, a top-tier glazing choice maximizing light transmission while blocking the solar heat gain that can turn sunrooms into ovens. Let’s take a closer look at how some of these new units were constructed.
A projection view drawing visualizing the new design’s dimensions and aesthetic.
A cross-section detail drawing illustrating the weatherproofing and structural connection to the existing building.
An existing aluminum sunroom unit prior to demolition.
In addition to its dated aesthetic, this unit’s seals were rapidly failing.
A view from the interior highlights the colder look of the original aluminum framework.
With the old unit removed, the true extent of the water damage to the wood base wall is visible.
This is the direct result of the leaking aluminum structure.
Restoration has begun.
The new solid mahogany sunroom frame is installed over a freshly framed, watertight base wall.
The completed exterior features custom color-matched cladding.
This makes the unit externally indistinguishable from the building’s original architecture.
Inside, the solid mahogany frame is fully installed and ready for paint.
The completed units feature brand-new sliding door systems.
Sunlight streams through the Solarban 70 glass. The room is comfortable even in direct sun.
The finished space is bright, watertight, and thermally efficient.
This is a massive upgrade for the residents!
This Portsmouth sunroom project highlights a common issue facing many homeowners with aging glass structures: original materials often aren’t the best materials for the long haul. By swapping aluminum for insulating mahogany and utilizing modern high-performance glass, we resolved the water damage issues and created year-round living spaces that add real value to the property. Importantly, we did so without disrupting the visual uniformity of the condo complex.
If you are a homeowner or property manager dealing with leaking bump-outs, drafty sunrooms, or aging glass structures continually racking up damage expenses, you don’t have to settle for a replacement that repeats the same mistakes. Sunspace Design can engineer a solution that respects the architecture while revolutionizing the performance. Send a word via our website’s contact form, email us at info@sunspacedesign.com, or give us a call at 1-800-530-2505 to get started.