Adding a sunroom is a great way to expand your living space and add value to your home. And let’s face it, who doesn’t like having the option of relaxing in the sun while enjoying a glass of wine or reading a book on a gorgeous sunny day?
BENEFITS OF A SUNROOM
Increases your home's appraisal value, curb appeal, and has a 50%+ return on investment.
Adds extra, functional living space.
Four-season rooms are temperature controlled and useable year-round.
Adds abundant natural light and blends the indoors and outdoors together.
Stay cool in the shade and avoid harmful UV rays.
Keep pests away.
Many different sunroom designs, types, sizes, and customizations are available.
Install on the south or west side of the home for the most sunlight and warmth.
MAIN COST FACTORS IN BUILDING A SUNROOM
Size and type
Three vs. four-season room
Prefabricated vs. custom-built
Quality of materials
Finishing options and add-ons
Current foundation status
On-site construction and installation
Location
THREE-SEASON vs. FOUR-SEASON SUNROOM
An all-season or 4-season room is integrated into the existing construction of the home with insulation, electricity, an HVAC. Three-season sunrooms are separate structures from the house and lack those amenities.
Three-season sunrooms are the least expensive route, but lack insulation and electricity, which makes them hotter in the summer and colder in the winter than 4-season models. Although heating or cooling systems can be installed separately from the home.
The least expensive 3-season rooms are prefab kits, screened-in porches, and enclosed patios with single-pane glass that are installed on an existing patio or deck. Costs increase for custom-built rooms with tinted, dual-pane glass windows, and a concrete foundation. Factors to consider:
Not insulated. Too cold in winter; may be too hot in summer
Separated from home by an exterior door.
Not connected to the home’s HVAC system. Must install fans, AC units, or space heaters.
Basic aluminum frames may not be strong enough to withstand extreme weather conditions.
Best for milder climates without much temperatures fluctuations.
Standard rooms have basic single-pane glass that's poorly insulated.
Four-season sunrooms provide more year-round use. They are temperature-controlled with insulated walls, ceiling, and flooring, and openly connects to the rest of the house. Another option is adding a connecting door and separate heating and cooling system to keep utility bills down. Factors to consider:
Cost more; fully functional year-round.
Connected to home's HVAC system for temperature control.
Open extension of the home, optionally separated by an interior door for privacy.
Insulated walls, floor, roof. Dual-pane windows with tinting options.
Vinyl reinforced with steel or aluminum, fiberglass, wood, or thermally engineered frames promote insulation, and resist cracking, corrosion, and warping.
Requires proper insulation and sealing to keep the rest of the house energy efficient.
SUNROOM COSTS
A sunroom costs $100 to $350 per square foot on average. A 3-season room costs $8,000 to $50,000 to build, and a 4-season room costs $20,000 to $80,000 to add. A sun porch or prefab sunroom addition costs $5,000 to $30,000, and a glass solarium costs $30,000 to $150,000. Connect with home addition contractors near you for an accurate estimate, or view the sunroom sizes and prices below.
BEST USES OF A SUNROOM
There is no right or wrong way to enjoy a Patio Enclosures screen room or sunroom, it’s really up to you. However, over the years our customers have shared how they enjoy their rooms. Below are a few favorites!
Morning wake-up room — perfect room to drink coffee, breathe in the fresh air and mentally prepare to tackle the day
Kids play room — a great sunlit room for the little ones to play games, read and get fresh air in a clean and protected space
Pet sunbathing room — the ideal room for pets to sunbathe in and enjoy the breeze without having to worry about ticks and mud
Hobby and craft room — perfect room for games, puzzles, reading, or any crafty project that needs lots of light
Yoga / workout room — with tons of natural light, the sunroom becomes a workout space, a major upgrade from the dark and depressing basement
Dining room — eat meals together in our sunroom as you don’t have to deal with bugs or worry about the weather
Guest entertaining room (ventilated space) — every time you have company, we always head to the sunroom because you can spread out, open the windows and enjoy the breeze — during the pandemic the extra ventilation has been a life saver
Winding down after a long day room — no matter how hectic the days are, you can always look forward to winding down in my sunroom and enjoying nature all year long in your perfectly protected space
Family room — have more laughs and fun family time together since because it’s a place you all want to be
Home office — when in an office building, everyone longs for a window seat — now you can have the best seat with your garden view right outside
Napping room — the sunroom is the perfect place for an afternoon nap and your pet will agree
Staycation place — consider adding a little tiki bar, or hot tub to have a vacation place right inside your house available almost every day
Indeed, adding a sunroom is a wonderful way to bring more space, light and joy to your home regardless of how you use it!
Source:
https://homeguide.com/costs/sunroom-cost