Audrey
A major home makeover could be part of your 2024 plans. There are lots of options to consider, but if you have no problem paying extra for additional space, go for a sunroom.
What’s a Sunroom and Why Get One?
Natural daylight offers numerous benefits, the least of which is to provide you with a healthy dose of vitamin D, which improves your mood and enhances bone health. With a sunroom, you will get an enclosed space surrounded by multiple windows to allow as much natural light as possible.
Also known as a Florida room or solarium, a sunroom provides scenic outdoor views, especially if it’s built overlooking the ocean, wide garden spaces, or cityscapes. Building a sunroom also adds value to your home, allowing for at least a 4% increase in the resale price or even more if your home is located near scenic views. Sunrooms can also help save energy costs due to the amount of natural light they bring in. You won’t have to turn on your lights during the day to illuminate the interior.
How Much Will a Sunroom Cost?
If you think building a sunroom in your home is a good project to pursue this year, you may have to set aside extra funds to get things started. Like any other renovation effort, the cost of building a sunroom will depend on the size you prefer, the types of materials to be used, and the overall complexity of the project.
Smaller sunrooms shouldn’t cost more than $80 per square foot. The smallest you can get is 8X8 which shouldn’t go over $15,000. Again, you could end up paying more based on the materials and the design you chose.
When you reach out to a sunroom contractor, you will be asked to choose between a three-season type and a four-season type. We will look into that later, but all in all, the cost of building a sunroom will also include other factors like the level of expertise of the contractor handling the project and labor.
Handy Tips for Installing a Sunroom
The challenge of building a sunroom lies in the fact that it may involve a major modification of your home.
Choose a good space
Before anything else, check to see if you have ample space for installing a sunroom. You may want to convert an unused room in your house, but this would turn out costlier than building one from scratch.
A more practical approach is to work on open spaces like your patio or porch. However, you will also need to consider where the sunlight comes from. Building a sunroom in places with maximum shade would defeat the project’s purpose, so take your time choosing an appropriate space.
Know how big you want it
The size of your sunroom will depend entirely on the size of your household and the features and fixtures you want to install. If you intend to use your sunroom for intimate get-togethers, a standard 11×12 space is needed. This should be enough to accommodate a large couch and a coffee table. You can also expand the space if you feel you need more legroom.
Choose between a three-season or four-season type
Aside from finalizing the design, you will need to pick between a three-season and four-season sunroom. There seems to be no difference appearance-wise, but it matters to make the right choice if temperature control is one of your biggest concerns.
A three-season sunroom costs less to build and provides just enough heat and cold during certain climates. On the other hand, designing for four seasons will provide you with optimal heating and cooling. That’s because this option uses high-quality insulation. The only trade-off to a four-season sunroom is that the overall construction costs are higher.
Choosing between these two types will rely mostly on what you see as practical. If you will not be using the sunroom during the winter, choosing a three-season design would make more sense than building a four-season sunroom you seldomly use all-year.
Pick the features you want
From a mini-bar to a small billiards table, there’s a lot you can customize your sunroom with. If you want to open the space to more sunlight, include a skylight in the overall design. You can also add indoor plants to the interior to balance out the heat and allow for a more refreshing atmosphere.
A fireplace might be optional, but depending on where you live, you might find it a good addition to the design of the sunroom. You may also need to improve heat retention during the winter by weatherstripping the area.
If you’re aiming for a specific theme for your sunroom, pick furniture that matches your preferred style. For a more Caribbean or Mediterranean feel, add wicker or rattan chairs as part of the motif. If you’re looking to infuse the sunroom with Zen aesthetics, go for minimalist furniture as well as a Japanese rock garden in the middle.
Get a good builder for the job
If you’re unsure how to start your sunroom project from scratch, you can always turn to a reliable builder. In Florida, remodeling contractors like Tampa-based Lifestyle Remodeling specialize in sunroom design and construction. Whether building a new space or opting for a patio enclosure, reaching out to a contractor should spare you from the more complicated parts.
Endnote
A sunroom is a great investment to pursue. The initial costs are heavy, but the long-term benefits will tell you it’s worth the trouble if it means energizing the interior with sunlight
