UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS

Sunrooms are the perfect way to let the outdoors in, while providing an al fresco sensation and still protected from the elements.

Screened porches are a less expensive alternative to sunrooms and also provide protection from dust, wind and pests; they are a favorite place to lounge in of family and guests.

Whichever you decide to add to your home, there are a few things to consider. Both allow you to enjoy the outdoor experience while offering more comfort and time spent in the areas, and both can be an excellent addition.

Living spaces such as these have become extremely popular in recent years.

People want to enjoy an outdoor space experience at home, but in Guam it can become quite hot and uncomfortable on the patio or porch with pests flying about; enter a sunroom or screened porch.

While a sunroom can be more costly, it offers a more comfortable temperature while allowing the outdoors to be the main attraction of the room. A screened porch is more affordable and can be kept cool with the use of fans and other methods to keep comfortable temperatures.

Both a sunroom and a screened porch can become seriously damaged by devastating winds and rain from a typhoon and this should be on your radar when considering either of these options for an outdoor experience while indoors in your home, so that shutters can be prepared for the additional space also.

There are many styles to choose from if you decide to go with constructing a sunroom for your home. There are solariums which offer a great deal of glass paned windows even in the ceiling of the room that are impressive but can be difficult to clean and prevent damage during inclement weather. On Guam, where typhoons are a part of life, a rooftop made of glass might not be practical and typhoon shutters for such a structure would be difficult to construct and install. If damage is sustained in a sunroom after a storm, repairs can become costly.

Screens are less expensive to repair or replace and you can enjoy your living space again probably a lot sooner after repairs or attached typhoon shutter

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fixtures to the framework.

The point of an outdoor living space like a sunroom or screened porch is to enjoy the natural lighting provided by the sun or moon and stars. There is something serene and relaxing about the outdoors when you are technically still under some kind of sheltered structure. It offers the peaceful tranquility of being outdoors while not making you feel the vulnerability of being exposed to the outdoor elements. It is safer, more comfortable, and you can lounge for a longer time than you could if you were sitting outdoors.

Decorating a sunroom or screened porch should be kept to a minimum other than comfortable and neutral seating or dining table and accents of comfort here and there. You want the star of the show to be what is outside. A simple sectional style or bench type of sofa and loveseat in a neutral shade with comfy throw pillows will be all you need to offer an inviting space for your family and guests. Basking in the shade of sunlight, watching the sunrise or sunset, or even sitting under the moon and stars in the evening is a spectacular way to enjoy the natural elements of the outdoors. Some other ideas for décor in these spaces include throw blankets, coffee or cocktail tables and ottomans. You don’t need much for these spaces and a few comfortable items are just what you need to let the outdoors in. If you wanted to go all out you could install a hanging chair or swing in a screened porch to make it feel even more like an outdoor retreat. Think comfortable seating with some accent pieces like photo frames or other keepsakes but not too many. The sunroom or screened porch is a place to relax and lounge rather than to put items on display. The focus is what is around you outside — the trees and green environment, the wildlife, the sky and the sun or moon. p