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The beauty of sunrooms is that they allow people to enjoy the outdoors without actually having to be outdoors. But the downside of sunrooms is that they let in a lot of natural light, potentially subjecting those trying to enjoy that space to fluctuations in UV exposure and uncomfortable temperature swings.
Failure to take all of these factors into consideration—such as interior furnishings that don’t hold up and window treatments or shades that fail to adequately protect—increases the risk of diminished use of the space. This is why it’s essential for companies to not only suggest the right solutions but to understand what they’re up against in the first place.
“Fabrics must resist fading, retain strength and stand up to tough stains without becoming difficult to maintain,” explains Greg Voorhis, executive director of global design for Sunbrella®. “In a sunroom, performance and livability must work together to create a space that lasts.”
Headquartered in Burlington, N.C., Sunbrella manufactures multiple lines of upholstery fabrics for demanding environments such as sunrooms, including the Mainstreet, Nuance and Exhale collections. All are solid-colored fabrics constructed of 99% Sunbrella acrylic and 1% polyester. Using these on their own or in combination with the company’s other product lines—such as the textured jacquard Assemble fabrics or the new Sunbrella Interiors collection—plays into what Voorhis describes as the current demand for
“soft textiles, tailored patterns and warm, nature-inspired neutrals.”
Of course, the elements that sunrooms must withstand vary depending on the region. For example, hotter climates require greater sun protection, including shades made of breathable fabrics that prevent heat buildup and lighter colors that deflect sunlight, says Doug Dubay, managing director for RECASENS USA, in Charlotte, N.C. On the other hand, he adds, sunroom clients in cooler, wetter areas where heat buildup isn’t the main concern may benefit from waterproof shades that allow the space to be used on rainy days. For Dubay, a sunroom is a specific space that is either outdoors (but covered in some manner) or inside that features an unobstructed view of the outdoors.
In addition to what the client is looking for and the project’s budget, important considerations that should influence fabricator recommendations include the environmental factors in play; how often the room will be used; what type of activity the sunroom will be used for; if children and/or pets will be present; the level of privacy desired by the client; the physical space and its configuration; and the client’s décor, color and texture preferences.
High-performance fabrics meet high expectations
According to Voorhis, sunrooms are all about light, and that light dictates fabric selection, necessitating a dialogue around all the factors that can impact performance and long-term satisfaction.
That sunrooms are becoming more multifunctional year-round is also influencing fabric choices, with consumers opting for high-performance upholstery fabrics, says Voorhis.
“Expectations are higher. As sunrooms become everyday living spaces, fabrics must deliver long-term durability under UV exposure while maintaining interior-level comfort and style,” he says.
Monica Thorton, director of design for Phifer® Incorporated, sees the same: sunrooms combining greater functionality and versatility. Located in Tuscaloosa, Ala., the company makes aluminum and fiberglass insect screening and solar-control fabrics, such as the Phifertex® Cushion Collection fabrics, made of woven, vinyl-coated polyester yarn in textured solid neutrals and colors and striped patterns. “Furniture features softer lines and edges, along with more casual seating arrangements,” Thorton says of the latest in fabric and design trends. “Natural materials like rattan and other fibers are being used more often, while darker finishes are making a comeback. Colors and fabrics are also becoming warmer, more organic and richer in tone and texture.”
Creating spaces that shine—but not too much
Since an abundance of light is the primary feature of a sunroom, regulating how much is allowed in while still providing outward visibility is extremely important, says Andrew Caldwell, Phifer’s national marketing manager for sun-control products.
“Too much light can lead to excessive glare or allow too much heat gain into the room,” he says. “By utilizing the right combination of color and openness factor, a solar screen shade can help control the light and make a much more comfortable
and energy-efficient environment.”
Fabrics such as Phifer’s SheerWeave® line of interior and exterior sun-control roller shade fabrics, made of either vinyl-coated fiberglass or vinyl-coated polyester yarns, or RECASENS’ RecScreen® fabrics, all in a variety of openness factors, can help clients strike the right balance of light and shade. These can be used in an interior sunroom or to create an outdoor room out of a covered patio or deck with manual and motorized roller shades and exterior panel track shading systems.
Helping customers ‘see’ their space
Identifying the right shade or window treatment solutions for a sunroom can be tricky, especially since fabricators must take so many things into account. It can also be difficult for clients to clearly picture what the coverings will look like in their space, which can cause them to hesitate, delay decision-making and possibly abandon the project altogether, says Ed Sedgley, CEO of Viewa.
Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Viewa provides digital product-visualization services that help make selling easier for businesses. The platform uses augmented reality projection and artificial intelligence to showcase a company’s product offerings, such as allowing customers to view the products in their space using their smartphone camera or photo uploads, no special app needed.
“By turning product selection into a visual experience, Viewa removes guesswork, simplifies decision-making and significantly increases buyer confidence,” says Sedgley.
Viewa includes dedicated modules for window furnishings, he says, which can be tailored for sunroom applications. Customers can upload photos of their space, showing exactly how their proposed window treatments and configurations will look and perform during daytime and evening hours and under various weather conditions.
“Sunrooms present unique challenges—balancing heat, glare, privacy, insulation and aesthetics while managing long decision cycles and unclear expectations,” he says. “Realistic visualization, day/night scenarios and side-by-side performance comparisons help customers confidently choose the right solution.”
Rather than having to use their imaginations or rely on samples, customers can actually see the potential result duringthe decision-making process. The tool also assists in room planning and aesthetics, allowing customers to explore how different fabrics and colors work with their flooring, wall finishes, window frames and furniture, which is “particularly valuable when sunrooms connect to open-plan living or kitchen areas,” Sedgley adds.
“Because the system is rules-driven and preloaded with approved products, fabricators benefit from consistent, manufacturable selections—reducing errors [and] shortening sales cycles,” Sedgley continues. “Once selections are finalized, depending on the configured integration, Viewa can feed into quoting and production workflows, providing a smooth handover from sales to fabrication.”
Future outlook
Interest in and demand for sunrooms is expected to continue, as people increasingly seek a connection to the outdoors while still wanting protection from the elements and insects, says Caldwell.
Voorhis agrees. “While sunrooms have traditionally been more common in temperate climates, we’re seeing growth across regions as homeowners maximize square footage to create lifestyle-driven spaces that work year-round,” he says. “Sunrooms have become true extensions of the home rather than just seasonal spaces.
“Clients want them to feel thoughtfully designed, comfortable and layered,” he continues. “Our advice: Lead with performance but never compromise on design. The most successful sunrooms feel as beautiful as they are durable.”
Pamela Mills-Senn is a Seal Beach, Calif.-based freelance writer.
SIDEBAR: Keeping it (virtually) real
As artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality and 3D technologies are increasingly popping up in our everyday lives, reactions range from whole-hearted embracing to cautious interest to outright rejection. But in truth, these tools can help businesses overcome a variety of obstacles that sometimes get in the way of figuring out what a customer wants.
This is especially true when the project under consideration is complex and requires a fair amount of conversation between the fabricator and client, as is the case when it comes to sunrooms. Regardless of the form the space will ultimately take, multiple elements must be considered to achieve the desired result, with the process involving a lot of decisions from clients.
Using technology that helps clients visualize how various fabrics, window treatments and shades will work in their specific space can facilitate (and shorten) this process while giving fabricators a way to engage with them more meaningfully. And as these tools become more mainstream and more familiar to consumers, some people may hesitate to move forward without their assistance.
“Today’s sunroom clients are used to interactive experiences,” says Ed Sedgley, CEO of Viewa, a Melbourne, Australia, provider of the Viewa AI visualization platform. “They expect to see realistic previews before committing to high-value decisions.”
Not every client is going to require that a fabricator come equipped with a full arsenal of advanced technologies, but they are going to want a buying experience that is modern, transparent and comfortable, says Sedgley. Fabricators who align their processes with how many of today’s consumers increasingly want to conduct business stand to put themselves ahead
of the competition.