By James Allen
Scott of Lima, OH:
Had a 4 season vinyl patio room installed with 5'' styrofoam roof panels and 4'' styrofoam wall panels. The expansion & contraction (noise) is sometimes unbearable. We notice it most when the sun hits it in the morning or when the sun goes down in the evening. Kind of a cracking noise. Any ideas?
The panel sheathing (probably a metal like aluminum) is changing volume with the temperature swings. The manufacturer must have been made aware of this during engineering and product testing. I would call the manufacturers technical department right away. Sounds like it could be an installation issue.
Claire of Fairfield, CT: We are considering putting a Better Living Patio room (vinyl over aluminum, 4 season) on our deck. It'd be about 32'x15'. We'd use Amana pumps for heat and cooling, opening up kitchen and DR to this 'new' room on deck. Leaving lattice work around deck. We don't know anyone who has used these Better Living rooms. Any advice for us?
Don't have any personal experience with them. Try these:
Call "Better Living" and ask for references in your area, then go look (very important).
Check ConsumerAffairs.com, if you haven't already. Call your local Better Business Bureau to see if they have had any feedback.
Likewise with your municipal building department.
Google 'em.
