Search engine visitors - click here to access entire "$ensible Home" web site

Greenhouse-Sunspace Topics

Click on the column headlines below to read the entire unedited columns and view the related illustrations. Most of my columns that you read in your newspaper or magazine have been edited due to space constraints.

Homeowner Benefits? - These are the potential benefits that a typical homeowner will realize by following the tips or by installing the home-related products that are discussed in this column.

422 - Conservatories are attractive, many kits are easy to build
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 14 manufacturers of conservatories and a supplier for easy to follow plans and instructions to build a Victorian style conservatory, styles available, frame materials, glazing options, features, factors to consider when building a conservatory, recommended conservatory plants and tips, illustrations of typical conservatory designs.
Homeowner Benefits: Very attractive living space, solar heat gain in winter, grow plants in winter.

436 - Dry firewood quickly in solar Virginian dryer/mini-greenhouse
Update Bulletin Description - Do-it-yourself instructions and materials list for making a two-door Virginian wood dryer/mini-greenhouse, firewood selector guide listing low/medium/high heat content wood types, wood heat evaluation worksheets to determine if wood heating is cost effective for your home, and safe wood burning tips.
Homeowner Benefits: Season firewood quickly, start plants early in spring, inexpensive to build

623 - Many designs of do-it-yourself greenhouse kits are easy to build
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 17 do-it-yourself greenhouse kit manufacturers listing, styles (freestanding, lean-to, gazebo, circular), frame materials, warranties, features, covering/glazing materials, descriptions of glazing/coverings and the advantages of each type, illustrations and prices for several models, suggestions on choosing a site for your greenhouse, tips on installation.
Homeowner Benefits:Grow plants year-round, healthy natural foods, help heat home.

677 - Super-efficient bow and bay windows add openess to any room
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 12 manufacturers of the most efficient bay, bow, angle and curved window kits, styles (casement, double-hung, picture, angle, etc.), frame materials, frame colors available, glass options, decorative glass options, warranties, features, tips for installing bay and bow windows; manufacturers of bay and bow roofs and kits.
Homeowner Benefits: Low-cost alternative to sunroom, add openness to room

724 - New patio and screened room kits can be used year-round
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of the 12 best patio room/screen porch kit manufacturers describing the roof/wall design details, window/door designs and options, glass options, special features, material construction details and illustrations of wall and window panels.
Homeowner Benefits: Low-cost additional living space, no insects, easy do-it-yourself project

769 - Build an inexpensive efficient sunroom/greenhouse yourself
Update Bulletin Description - Do-it-yourself instructions, diagrams, and materials list for building an inexpensive sunroom/greenhouse and an A-frame portable cold frame, chart showing thermal storage capacity for several different materials, growth characteristics for 13 greenhouse vegetable/herb plants.
Homeowner Benefits:Low-cost sunroom addition, use to help lower heating bills

992 - New sunrooms are bright, energy efficient, inexpensive living space
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 12 efficient sunroom/kit manufacturers listing designs (curved eave, straight eave, conservatory), frame materials, glazing options, ventilation options, shading systems, features and passive solar heat producing tips. Diagram and helpful suggestions on how to turn your sunroom into a heat-producing space to reduce overall heating bills.
Homeowner Benefits: Low-cost additional year-round living space, do-it-yourself project, start plants