Ask if the contractor has a showroom where you can see full size models. As soon as you walk through the door you should get a sense as to how comfortable you would feel having the contractor work on your home. Ask if the contractor has a display home where you can see their finished work on someone's home.

Your Betterliving sun room dealer will be happy to show you fully furnished sun rooms either in our showroom or at a neighbor's home!

The experts are predicting a long, hard winter for Westchester, but instead of fleeing the county for warmer climates, why not spend your travel money on a new sunroom for your home? Sunrooms are one of the most popular home renovation projects in the country—according to the U.S. Census, about half of the 1.27 million new, single-family homes built since 2001 had some kind of attached porch—and no wonder.A sunroom is great for entertaining and relaxing – and resale. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) estimates that across the nation, sunrooms pay back more than 70 percent of a homeownerʼs initial investment.A typical sunroom is a 100- to 200-square-foot enclosure—although many are much larger and more elaborate—which is added onto your existing house. Typically, these rooms are more than 50% glass to allow the outside in. Most people opt to add their sunroom off a kitchen, living room, or family room, but some are added off bedrooms, too

5 Things You Should Know:

1. After you add a sunroom, you'll find this is the most used room in your home. They are used more than any other rooms for reading, enjoying coffee, entertaining or simply relaxing.
2. Sunrooms come in many styles and can be custom designed. Sunrooms are no longer an "Add-on", but an extension of your home, so when planning for a sunroom, make sure that it matches the style of your house.
3. Select a contractor who is licensed, insured by a reputable company and specializes in doing jobs similar to yours. Be sure they use company employees who are covered by workers compensation insurance - and not subcontractors. Ask for a complete written contract and to-the-penny price before construction begins.
4. Sunrooms often look smaller out on your deck or patio than they will when they are completed. Ask your contractor to show you a room in your home that is comparable to show you the actual size
5. Look at quality and engineering. Ask what certifications and approvals the sunroom has earned, such as ENERGY Star, UL approval, and testing to meet air and water infiltration standards.

Another benefit is that a sunroom is not considered a square footage addition to your home; it is considered a patio addition. Adding one to your home can also be a way to add living space in an area in which there are underground obstacles to conventional construction.

A Room for All Seasons, and All Reasons Sunrooms extend the outdoor living season. Walls of glass protect you from rain, bugs, and chilly winds. Choose a three- season patio room to guarantee carefree entertaining all summer long. Or invest in an insulated sunroom or conservatory that can be enjoyed in all but the most severe weather conditions. Betterliving Patio and Sunrooms of New York offer a full range of options to add luxury outdoor living space to your lifestyle. Owners Debbie and Howard Falkow state that most of their customers say their sunroom is the favorite room in the house. "Inside the house, you're looking at the walls, Howard commented. "In the sunroom, you're looking at the world!" And, Debbie added, "It's a great place for entertaining - and for kids, too. Decorated with easy care, comfortable furniture - it's really a place to relax and enjoy."

If you think all sunrooms are just basic versions of the same cookie-cutter design, think again! Sunrooms come in a variety of styles and roof design and are custom manufactured to suit homeowners' needs and the architecture of their homes.

Let the Sun Shine In-and Economically, Too Many people don't have the budget to do a major addition on their homes to accommodate a family room, for instance. But for less money than most conventional room additions, you can expand your living space, add sunshine and enjoy outdoor living in comfort.

Before buying, think about how your family will use your sunroom. As a playroom for kids or grandchildren? To entertain? Or just for a place to relax and get away from it all. How you plan to use your sunroom will help you decide on size, location and style.

Sunrooms can sometimes be built in locations where conventional additions are not permitted because of building codes and zoning ordinances. Excavation is usually not required, because sunrooms can be installed on existing cement patios and decks, as long as they meet local building code requirements. Building permits are required for sunrooms, however, and should be applied for by your sunroom contractor.

What You'll Need in Westchester?

Obviously, Westchester residents have their own specific set of needs when it comes to choosing a sunroom. The local building departments are diligent about requiring complete engineering information about the proposed sunroom before issuing permits. A certificate of occupancy is also required, and is provided after a final inspection. Betterliving of New York, is fully licensed in Westchester and will submit all of the necessary documentation to secure your building permit, schedule the interim inspections, and obtain your certificate of occupancy when the project is complete.

Because winters are cold and summers are hot, you'll need thermally efficient materials if you plan to heat and cool the sunroom. Both vinyl and aluminum are excellent materials for this climate, with vinyl being more energy efficient. Double pane windows help prevent condensation, and provide extra thermal protection.

With the popularity of sunrooms these days, make certain that the company you deal with is a specialist in the sunroom business, not just roofing, awnings or siding. Also make sure the company has at least five years of experience installing sunrooms and is backed by a reliable manufacturer who will stand behind their products.