[Greenbuilding] Temporary Sunspace ?

[Lynelle Hamilton]

Hello Listers!

Happy Thanksgiving to all Canucks!

Again, I seek the advice of this list.

Has anyone had experience with a removable "sunspace"?  I have a 7 x 14 
foot sliding door on the south wall of the house.  The overhangs are 
such that I get no direct sun in summer, but do get a considerable 
amount in winter.  I use the door in the winter, as it's the shortest 
path to the woodpile and I am lazy. I am on Lake Ontario, near Kingston. 
My location means that I don't get a huge number of sun days in the 
winter, and the single slider (itself triple-glazed glass) means that 
there is no airlock when I load wood, let the dog out, etc.

I am thinking of constructing a sunspace that would only be installed in 
October/removed in April.  I am thinking that this would allow the 
collection of warm air, even in winter, helping to warm the house and 
offer a buffer for the cold.  The south is my view of the water, so for 
the heat and the view, I don't want to have a structure out there in the 
summer.  I'm wanting something that would have, at most a 18" kneewall 
on the perimeter, with the rest removable.  Overall size is about 14 x 
10 feet.

I've checked out Google, but this list has many people whose skill and 
knowledge I trust to a much greater extent.  Any advice?  Anyone done 
one of these?  Many thanks!

Lynelle Hamilton