DIY Textured Aluminum Sunroom Walls

Locate aluminum panels that have the proper R-value, a measure of insulation effectiveness, for your climate, such as R-28 or R-33. That will ensure that extreme cold or scorching heat will not penetrate your sunroom.

Select textured panels to diffuse sunlight and give the room a cozier feeling. Don't buy slick aluminum, which can reflect an almost blinding light. Perfectly smooth aluminum also shows dents more easily. Slick aluminum also does not have the flexibility and resilience of textured aluminum. Choose a texture that looks non-commercial for a home atmosphere, such as leather-look sections.

Run all wiring for light fixtures and wall outlets through the wall framework before adding any type of wall covering. Secure all electrical components of the room that will be hidden and check all seams to see if extra insulation is needed before installing the room's aluminum walls.

Measure the panels carefully to fit a wall framework constructed of wood or metal. Install the panels without wide seams or gaps, so air doesn't move easily through the seams. Create a snug fit where the walls meet the floor as well. Solid panels typically are available in colors such as white, sand or clay, but you can spray paint them any color you desire before installing them.

Get friends to help you lift aluminum wall sections into place before installing screws or bolts at the seams. Check the instructions for recommendations on saw blades and rent, borrow or buy any special tools required for cutting metal. Standard saw blades will often chew metal edges and ruin them. Cutting with blades other than those recommended could invalidate the warranty on the aluminum panels.

Follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer for adding metal trim. Install aluminum panels with screws or bolts provided by the manufacturer, then snap on trim to cover all seams.