Looking at SunPorch sunrooms, anyone with opinions?

[gugie]

4 years after purchasing our house in Redwood City, CA, my father-in-law and I built a deck out the back. He recommended enclosing it at some point, had been looking at SunPorch as a good option, so we designed it to fit their "standard" sections. 5 years later I'm close to deciding to start the project. We like the SunPorch system, screened in, covered porch with detachable windows, which could easily be stored under the deck. Also, their sunscreen system is perfect for our needs.

1st question: Does anyone have experience working with this company? It would be a DIY install, I would triple check all dimensions, squareness, level, etc. before ordering.

2nd question: We have another part of the deck, attached, but separate that already has a roof overhead. SunPorch does not sell just walls. I'd love to use a similar system, screened in porch with detachable windows.

[LinuxRandal]

How old are you?

Building screens shouldn't be that hard, and if your old enough, you might remember getting out on the ladder and removing the wooden storms from house windows. They are also pretty basic construction, and I have seen the hardware still available.

[gugie]

How old are you?

Age isn't the issue (I'm plenty old enough!) I've had the pleasure to live in California most of my life. Bugs and flying critters are relatively non-existant compared to the midwest and the entire eastern seaboard. I've read about storm windows, seen them in houses I've visited in other parts of the country, but they're not necessary at all where I live.

Having said that, my wife freaks out when a single fly hangs out on our deck, and when it gets really cold (40's!) having "storm windows" would give us an extra indoor room in the winter. Screened in porch with shades

TIME, on the other hand, is a real issue. I'm 50 with twin 6 year old daughters (started late). Don't have as much energy as I used to, and mommy doesn't want me to spend several weekends away from the girls making my own sunroom, as much as I'd like to. The Sunporch system looks reasonably priced, well designed, and meets our needs. I'm hoping someone in this thread has purchased one from them, knows someone who has, or has some opinion on it before I leap into it.

[jgrobler]

I've looked at them also. I live just a bit south of you (Salinas), but from what I've ready they won't work well as living quarters in the winter due to not being well insulated. But I'm also interested in hearing opinions from other folks.

A few years ago the Family Handyman had a nice sunscreen room addition, but they've warned that it will take a competent DIYer most of the summer to complete.