All About Sunrooms, Sun Porches, & All Season Patios

 What is a sunroom?

"Sunroom"~ the formal definition of a sunroom is a structure constructed onto one's home, usually to allow for the viewing of the surrounding landscape while being sheltered from the elements including adverse weather conditions such as rain and snow.  Depending on where you live, you may be more comfortable calling a sunroom a sun porch, a sun parlor, a solarium, or a sun parlor.  The different names for a sunroom vary from state to state and even from street to street!  Regardless of what you call your sunroom, it is typically a room designed with lots of windows to let in natural sunlight.  A more casusal all season room is generally described as a sunroom or sun porch whereas a more formal structure is generally described as a conservatory or solarium.

Can I add a Sunroom onto my home? 

One reason why sunrooms are becoming more popular is because they can be added onto to nearly any type of home regardless of the floor-plan.  Sunrooms help expand your home's square footage, create a family friendly living space, and increase your home's value.  Sunrooms are used in a variety of ways: home office, play room, living room, library, exercise room, hot tub room, pool room, dining room, entryway, and/or a garden room.  Sunrooms can be built atop existing decks or patios or started from scratch.  A quality built sunroom will blend into your home.  Sunrooms come in different designs, colors, and sizes. The best way to find out if a sunroom would suit your home is to speak with a professional to provide you with design assistance.    

How Much Does a Sunroom Cost?

Honestly-it depends.  Most people do not want this answer and understandably so.  If you want something, you want to know what it costs and when you can get it.  The problem is that every house is different and every sunroom is custom designed for that house.  Cost depends on what type of roof you need, what type of foundation you require, how many windows you want, glass quality, what size room would suit your lifestyle and budget, what permits you need, if your homeowners association requires architectural drawings, what are your electrical needs, and what are your insulation needs.  Independent of these factors,  compared to traditional additions, sunrooms carry lower construction costs and have a quicker build time.  Whereas a stick built room may take upwards of eight weeks, a well built sunroom averages less than a week.  So, if you think a sunroom is right for you, your home, and your family, just ask a professional.  They can measure your space, help design your room, and provide you with an accurate estimate.