Frequently Asked Questions

"Large enough to serve you, small enough to know you!"

Frequently Asked Questions.

A new sunroom can be a welcome addition to any house. Thinking of adding one but not sure if you have all the answers? Read our Frequently Asked Questions and then follow up with a Murphy's representative to guide you through your decision making process.

1.  What is the difference between a sunroom and a patio enclosure?

The terms "sunroom" and "patio enclosure" are, in fact, synonymous. These terms describe living spaces that are transitional with the out-of-doors. They are casual living spaces where you have the comforts of home together with an outdoor, relaxed feeling. Other words that have become synonymous include patio room, patio lounge, lanai, Florida room and conservatory, to name a few.

2. In what sizes are sunrooms available?

Depending upon the product line, certain size limitations may exist. In general, the length of the room (i.e., the wall parallel to the home, is not as limited as the projection of the room (i.e., the dimension perpendicular to the home). Based on our particular design concept, Branstrator rooms are available in virtually any size. Our unique wall system makes it possible for you to have the exact size of room you had in mind.

3. What do sunrooms cost?

The cost of a pre-engineered sunroom system is extremely variable, depending on model (e.g., 3-season or 4-season), size, panel type, labor rates in your area, site preparation (deck, foundation, etc.) and other options. It is difficult, therefore, to give an "average" price. One thing can be said, however, with certainty—a pre-engineered system will probably cost you far less than one conventionally built.

4. How long does it take to build a Murphy's sunroom?

After the site is prepared (e.g., concrete slab poured or deck built), typically two days or less. And your sunroom will be built with far less disturbance to your lifestyle and property than with conventional construction.

5. How does one decide between a 3-season and 4-season sunroom?

Our 3-season Malibu is generally the choice of homeowners who intend to use their sunroom in the summer, spring and fall. Though insulated to a degree, the Malibu and other 3-season rooms are not designed to be heated during the winter (they lack insulating glass and thermal breaks).

Our 4-season Murphy & Murphy Sunlarium incorporates the best insulating glass, thermal breaks throughout, and have 4"-thick nominal walls for added insulation. These year-round rooms provide more comfort in winter, and they are the only sunroom that allows you to pick exactly which style of window (casement, double hung, etc.) that you wish to match the style of the home.  The Murphy's sunroom is the most thermally efficient room on the market.

There is, of course, a cost difference between a 3-season and 4-season sunroom, the former being less expensive. In making your decision, however, we recommend that, in comparing costs, you bear in mind that a 4-season room is more utilitarian, and your cost of usage (12 months vs. 9, for example) be taken into consideration.

6. Can sunrooms be used in any climate?

Families from the desert Southwest to the upper Midwest are enjoying our Malibu and Sunlarium rooms. We offer a variety of sunrooms and roof systems, one or more of which is appropriate for your climate. We are a national company, and our product spectrum reflects that fact. A manufacturer that specializes in the Florida market, for example, may not have a roof suitable for the Snow Belt, though they may market their designs there.

7. Can Murphy's sunrooms be installed under existing roofs?

Definitely, yes! If you have a porch, breezeway or portico that has a sound, suitable roof, our panel systems can probably be readily adapted to the roof. Visit our installation gallery, where you will see several examples.

8. Can a cathedral (gabled) sunroom roof be installed on the pitched side of our home's roof?

In most cases, yes. Your Murphy's certified installer can alter your home's roof overhang and construct a cross gable, to which your gabled sunroom roof will mount.

9. What is meant by "insulating glass (IG)"? and what is meant by "tempered safety glass"?

Insulating glass is a multi-glass combination consisting of two or more panes separated by a spacer enclosing a sealed air space. The most important function of insulating glass is to reduce thermal losses, which offers many advantages: lower energy consumption, increased comfort and perfect transparency by reducing the incidence of condensation on the warm air side, etc. There are two main categories of glass, annealed (when broken, breaks into dangerous shards that can cause severe cuts) and tempered (two or more times stronger than annealed). Tempered safety glass, used in applications requiring superior strength and safety, must meet prescribed performance criteria established to reduce the risk of injury, should someone come in contact with it. All of our doors, windows and sidelights are made of tempered safety glass.

10. Where can I find additional information on glass and glass options on the Web?

Further technical information can be found on a number of sites. A good starting point is www.glassonweb.com.

11. What kind of insulating material does Murphy's Sunrooms use?

Though we have many insulating alternatives available to us, expanded polystyrene (EPS, for short) is our choice. This remarkable material is strong and solid, and it is an impressive insulator. These are a few of the reasons why we have chosen it as the core material for both our rooms and roofs:

12. What exactly is expanded polystyrene (EPS)? and what is a "lamination"?

Expanded polystyrene (EPS, for short) is an insulating material used extensively for housing and commercial construction. Specifically, it is a closed-cell thermal plastic material that is supplied to manufacturers in the form of polystyrene beads, which are processed into shapes, such as boards of varying thickness. A lamination results when two or more materials are bonded together, usually by a continuous application of adhesive material. Plywood is a common example of a laminated product.

13.How does the energy efficiency of EPS compare to alternatives?

Solid EPS is extensively used in the building industry. In many respects, it can be considered the perfect insulation. Since the laminate containing the EPS is solid, there is no settling of the insulation and, what's very important, no heat-robbing convection within the walls. Also, unlike many other alternatives (e.g., urethane), EPS is thermally stable—R-values remain constant and do not drift with age. There are added benefits to selecting EPS as a core material. This insulation contains no CFCs, HCFCs or HFCs, is non-nutritive, contains no formaldehyde and is recyclable.

14.What types of wall panels does Murphy's offer? What material is used for the wall-panel skins of your sunrooms?

All of our sunroom systems are comprised of wall components that include pre-built window panels, door panels (standard swing and patio-style), fixed sidelight panels, joiners and pre-mitered corners. Our Plus Panels, unique to the industry, are our standard panels—and they're far superior to other manufacturers' upgraded panels. Each Plus Panel consists of a solid core of dense EPS with environmentally friendly CoreX bonded to both sides for added strength and protection that will stand the test of time.
Our Decorator Panels are identical to the Plus Panels, except that the interior has been replaced by one of our high-quality vinyl wall coverings. Murphy's sunrooms feature ABS/ASA wall-panel skins that are far superior to conventional aluminum or plastic skins. The combination of ABS and ASA thermoplastics offers significantly better impact-, puncture-, weather-, heat- and fade-resistance. That means Murphy's wall panels will retain their good looks for many, many years.

15. What styles of roofs are available for Malibu and Murphy's sunrooms? How do I decide which of your roof systems is right for my sunroom selection? What do you mean by "residential-style" rain-carrying system?

Our roof systems are available in both studio (shed) and cathedral styles The roof you choose is a matter of budget and application. The Sturdi-Therm roof (4" or 6") is our most popular system and an extremely wise choice. If you prefer to have your sunroom shingled, then the Shingle-Ready Resident series (4" or 6") is for you. Your authorized Murphy & Murphy contractor will explain all of the roof options to you, including the loading characteristics of 3", 4" and 6" selections. By "residential-style" rain-carrying system, we mean that we provide gutters and downspouts similar to those on your home. The components are harmonious, attractive, not bulky and blend with your home beautifully.

16. Does Murphy's provide an all-glass roof?

All-glass roofs are very impractical and suitable only, in our opinion, to commercial establishments that have daily maintenance personnel. Not only do all-glass roofs require continual cleaning, but they also can become terribly uncomfortable in summer heat and winter cold without a sizeable investment in an environmental control system, to shade, heat and cool. A Shingle-Ready Resident or Sturdi-Therm roof with one or more SkyWindows is a more practical alternative—welcomed sunlight without the burden of maintenance and environmental controls.

17. What colors are available in your roofs? Can any of your sunrooms be installed under our existing porch or portico roof?

All of our roofs feature white stucco-embossed aluminum interior-facing skins (ceilings). You may choose a rain-carrying and trim package in a range of colors to coordinate with your home. Definitely. If you have an existing porch, breezeway or portico room that is sound (and insulated for our 4-season rooms), our wall systems can be adapted easily and reliably, in most cases. Ask your contractor to guide you through this matter and/or to show you color samples.

18. What type of foundation is suitable for a sunroom? Can a Malibu or Sunlarium room be built on a deck or existing patio? We have an existing patio. Can we use it as a foundation for our sunroom?

There are a number of foundation options suitable for our sunrooms. Most often, our sunrooms are installed on concrete with footing that complies with local building codes to ensure the integrity of the room through freeze-thaw cycles. Our sunrooms are commonly installed on elevated decks built to sustain the weight of the sunroom and with the proper footings to endure freeze-thaw cycles. An existing patio maybe able to serve as the foundation for your sunroom - the substrate for the sunroom must have proper footings. And those footings should be in good condition with regard to level, grade and integrity. Your local authorized Murphy's contractor is a source of information on all these requirements.

19. Skylights/SkyWindows are available in all Murphy's sunrooms. What are the benefits of SkyWindows??

Far more practical, comfortable and maintenance-free than an all-glass roof, one or more of our exceptional factory-installed SkyWindows will add welcomed sunlight without the need for costly environmental control systems. All-glass roofs are, literally, for the birds!

20.  I would like to consider having a ceiling fan in my sunroom. Is that possible?

Certainly! In fact, ceiling fans are among the most popular aftermarket add-ons to our roof systems. If you will be incorporating a ceiling fan in your room, your contractor will explain to you the options, including our integrated, internal fan beam, that permit you to do so.

 

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