sunroom roof

[cj]

i would like to beef up the insulation on our sunroom ceiling and i thought that a layer of rigid foam board with some half inch plywood and shingles on top off that would do the trick as well as somewhat soundproofing the room from rainstorms that can be deafening. the ceiling(interior and exterior) is a thin gauge aluminum and i am not sure how to attach the foam board/plywood to it. what type of fastener would work best or combination of fastener and adhesive...i am thinking of a fine thread type of sheetmetal screw might work. thanks, cj

[aemeijers]

Based on sunrooms and metal porch roofs I have seen, with undersized C or H channel rafters and purlins on 24" or 36" centers, I suspect what you propose would likely exceed the load capacity of the existing roof structure. (Especially if it snows where you are, and you get a heavy snowfall.) The foam is light, but plywood and shingles add up fast. Plus of course your weight as you are installing it. You could fit foamboard panels to the inside, and cover them with those plastic-coated faux beadboard sheets, or maybe plastic soffit panels, if you can find stock long enough. That wouldn't weigh much. The dead space might create condensation issues, though, so you would have to find some way to keep air flowing through there, with screens to keep mice and bugs from moving in.

No disrespect, but you seem to be over your head, and we can't see your sunroom from here. Suggest getting local sunroom and awning dealers to stop by and discuss possible options. They may even have insulation/dress-up panels in their catalog.

I'd LOVE to have a tin-roof porch or sunroom, for summer thunderstorms. I find the sound soothing.

[Jeff Thies]

What do you use your sunroom for? What kind of windows are in there?

A lot of people turn porches and sunrooms into additional living space that can be used any time. But having a sun room that works for it's intended purpose is a joy. Which is it?

I wouldn't add anything on top of what you have. Either rip it all down and rebuild it as regular roof, or learn to love your metal roof and possibly add insulation underneath with construction adhesive. Adding insulation will do little for your noise considerations.

Jeff

[cj]

the sunroom is our living room, giving us an excellent view outback to the woods. i have an open floor plan and the poorly insulated sunroom really adds to our winter heating bill. we saw the original bill of sale for the sunroom and for what the previous owner paid he could have built the same room with all the windows ,patio door and regular stick construction for much less. adding some rigid foamboard, particle board and shingles would damper the sound of a summer downpour, as it is now you have to practically yell to be heard and in the fall acorns dropping from 30 feet up sound like gunshot in the house

cj

[Joe]

Be a friend and send aemeijers a DVD/CD/Tape/whatever of the racket your hear next time you have a summer thunderstorm occur. If that turns out well, maybe you could market the recording and build up funds enough for a sunroom replacement someday. just sayin'...

Joe

[Sarah]

replying to cj, Sarah wrote: I know exactly what you are talking about. We bought our home last summer & soon learned of the ridiculous noise that comes from this addition during a summer rain shower & the poor insulation in the winter. But the previous owner sunk over $100k into this room. There's no tearing it down & starting over. More like "buyer beware" to those looking to add on a nice 4 season or sunroom.