Knee Wall Options
Erecting a knee wall around your enclosure will give it the feel of both openness and coziness. The knee wall can bolster the structure of your enclosure, but it can also be a liability if not properly constructed. Building a knee wall, just like building any other feature that will affect the integrity of your enclosure, is a task best left to a professional. That will ensure the proper weight to strength ratio is reached. Following are several different types of knee walls that will bring a distinctive appearance to your enclosureBrick Knee Wall
A brick knee wall provides your sunroom with a sturdy, low maintenance knee wall. A brick knee wall may require a footer to support the additional weight. The brick knee wall will add an additional cost, however, the appearance it creates is unique. A brick knee wall will accommodate almost any structure. You will also be able to run electric wiring through a brick knee wall and be able to choose a color of brick that matches your project style.
Glass Knee Wall
A glass knee wall will definitely increase the brightness inside your enclosure, as well as enlarge the viewing area outside the enclosure. However, be sure to select a stronger, more durable grade of glass for this lower section of the wall, as it is more susceptible to accidental breaking. A glass knee wall is commonly found in solariums, sunrooms and conservatories, but is also used for other types of enclosures. While glass cannot house electrical wiring, the frame that separates the knee wall from the window above can be adapted to accommodate the cables.
Insulated & Non Insulated Knew Wall
An insulated knee wall can greatly increase the energy efficiency and temperature retention qualities of an enclosure. Typically, the insulated knee wall is comprised of two layers (interior and exterior), with insulation between. Electrical conduits can be placed through the insulated knee wall, similar to the method used to run electricity throughout a home. If your locale typically experiences heavy precipitation, an insulated knee wall may also protect you from moisture damage around the perimeter of your enclosure.
A non-insulated knee wall would typically be used for enclosures that are insulated themselves, such as a screen room. The knee wall would consist of only one layer of material (usually inexpensive wood or aluminum), and should be strong enough to withstand the common abuse that the walls of a screen enclosure would take. The non-insulated knee wall will most often be a great alternative to a fully screened wall that might easily suffer damage from wayward feet.
Screen Knee Wall
A screen knee wall is really just a full wall of screen that is separated by a frame or sash. The screen knee wall offers the fullest possible view from a screen enclosure. Ventilation is increased by a screen knee wall, but durability of the enclosure’s knee wall might also be compromised, due to the delicate nature of screen.
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