East Auckland Sunroom Upgrade — From Timber & Plastic to Full Aluminium
East Auckland. After ten years of coastal weather, the original shelter had reached the end of its life. The timber framing was weathering, the corrugated polycarbonate roof was leaking at the joints, and the plastic sheet walls couldn't hold up against the wind anymore.
The brief was clear: Rebuild it as a proper sunroom. Aluminium frame. Full glass. Weather-tight. And — one small but important request — a little door at the bottom so the family cat could still come and go on his own schedule.
Location
East Auckland
Product
Custom Aluminium Sunroom
Frame
White Powder-Coated
Extra
Custom Cat Flap
The 30-Second Transformation
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What Wasn't Working
The structure wasn't a disaster — just tired. Ten years of sun, salt air, and wind had taken their toll:
- Timber framing was weathering and collecting dust at every joint
- Corrugated polycarbonate roof was leaking at the frame seams
- Plastic sheet walls had torn and yellowed — some sections patched with tape
- Constant drafts made the space uncomfortable most of the year
- Interior was too dim to actually use for anything beyond storage
The family still loved the footprint — it was the right location, the right size, and the right orientation. They just needed it rebuilt with materials that belong in Auckland's coastal climate.
Modeled in 3D before fabrication.
This sunroom had a few custom elements — the integrated cat flap, full-height tempered glass walls, and a pitched glass roof tying back to the house. So we modeled it in SketchUp first, working out frame spans, glass panels, and door positions before anything was cut.
Not every project needs this step. For builds with custom details like this one, the 3D walkthrough saves time on site and gives the client a clear picture of the final result.
Before & After
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What We Built
We removed the existing timber and plastic structure down to the deck and rebuilt on the same footprint with a fully engineered aluminium sunroom.
Key specifications:
- Marine-grade aluminium frame, white powder-coated finish
- Full-height tempered glass walls on the exposed sides
- Pitched glass roof — drains cleanly, lets the light in, no more leaks
- Two large sliding doors for everyday access and airflow
- Awning window for cross-ventilation
- Custom cat flap integrated into the lower panel of one door
Three Things That Made This Build
3D Design First
Full SketchUp model approved by the client before fabrication — no surprises on site.
Built for Coastal
Marine-grade powder coating and 316 stainless hardware — designed for long-term salt-air exposure.
Cat Flap Included
Designed and integrated at install — no retrofit gaps, no compromise on the weather seal.
The Result
The new sunroom is weather-tight, bright, and actually comfortable year-round. The family uses it daily — for meals, morning coffee, and relaxing in the afternoon light. The cat kept his routine too; he just walks through a cleaner door now.
The build is covered by our standard 10-year structural warranty on the aluminium frame and a 2-year warranty on the hardware.
Thinking about upgrading your own outdoor space?
Book a free on-site measure — our engineer visits, assesses the site, and you get a fixed written quote within 24 hours.