Know Your Sunroom
Category I Sunroom: This outdoor space is sheltered by a roof, but it may be enclosed with insect screen or plastic film with a maximum thickness of .5 mm or 20 mil. It is considered non-habitable and non-air conditioned. Remember to install an exterior light at the entrance to the sun room.
Category II Sunroom: This outdoor space is sheltered by a roof and is enclosed with walls. Openings in the structure may be enclosed with translucent or transparent plastic or glass. This room is considered non-habitable and non-air conditioned. Energy calculations are not required, and National Electrical Code does not require the minimum electrical wall spacing. An exterior light is required at the entrance to the sunroom.
Category III Sunroom: Like category II sunrooms, this category is sheltered by a roof and is enclosed with walls whose openings may be enclosed with translucent or transparent plastic or glass. However, it must resist forced entry, air-leakage, and water penetration. The space is considered non-habitable and non-air conditioned. Per National Electrical Code, minimum electrical wall spacing is not required. An exterior light is required at the entrance to the sunroom.
Category IV Sunroom: This space is enclosed by a roof or covering and walls. It should be heated and/or cooled by a separate temperature control system and thermally isolated from the primary structure. For example, if a sliding glass door exists between the sunroom and the main structure, the door remains intact. It is considered habitable and conditioned space. It must resist forced entry, air-leakage, water penetration, and it must meet thermal performance standards. Additionally, energy calculations are required and minimum electrical wall outlet spacing requirements must be met. An exterior light is required at the entrance to the sunroom.
Category V Sunroom: This outdoor space is covered by a roof or covering and enclosed with walls. It is open to the main structure and is designed to be heated and/or cooled. For example, homeowners typically remove existing sliding glass doors and invite flow to the main structure. It must resist forced entry, air-leakage, water penetration, and it must meet thermal performance standards. Additionally, energy calculations are required according to the Florida Energy Conservation Code, and minimum electrical wall outlet spacing requirements must be met according to the National Electrical Code. An exterior light is required at the entrance to the sunroom.
Florida Building Code defines habitable space as a space used for sleeping, eating, or cooking. This does not include areas such as bathrooms, toilet compartments, closets, halls, screen enclosures, sunroom categories I, II, & III, storage or utility spaces and other comparable areas.
E. P. I. C. Home Professionals, LLC would love to meet with you to answer questions and guide you through your lanai conversion. Like us on Facebook @EPICHomePros and follow all of our lanai conversions and other projects!
Category V Sunroom: This outdoor space is covered by a roof or covering and enclosed with walls. It is open to the main structure and is designed to be heated and/or cooled. For example, homeowners typically remove existing sliding glass doors and invite flow to the main structure. It must resist forced entry, air-leakage, water penetration, and it must meet thermal performance standards. Additionally, energy calculations are required according to the Florida Energy Conservation Code, and minimum electrical wall outlet spacing requirements must be met according to the National Electrical Code. An exterior light is required at the entrance to the sunroom.
Florida Building Code defines habitable space as a space used for sleeping, eating, or cooking. This does not include areas such as bathrooms, toilet compartments, closets, halls, screen enclosures, sunroom categories I, II, & III, storage or utility spaces and other comparable areas.
E. P. I. C. Home Professionals, LLC would love to meet with you to answer questions and guide you through your lanai conversion. Like us on Facebook @EPICHomePros and follow all of our lanai conversions and other projects!
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