A glass- or screen-enclosed space connects you with the outdoors.
Heres how to decide which seasonal room features suit your house best.
If youre consideringadding a sunroom to your home, you should know all your options.
Credit: Karin Lidbeck Brent
Theres a lot to consider between the differenttypes of seasonal rooms, materials choices, and budget concerns.
Use this guide for everything you should probably know before you add a sunroom.
Types of Sunrooms
Seasonal rooms come in many forms.
Credit: Nathan Kirkman
Here are the basic types to consider if you want to add a sunroom.
It’s designed to function as anadditional living areaduring mild weather.
Four-Season Room
Closely related to the sunroom, this option is designed to be heated and cooled.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
As a result, when you add a sunroom that’s four seasons, it can be enjoyed year-round.
Like the sunroom, its habitable only when the weather is agreeable.
Because the materials are relatively inexpensive, this is a budget-friendly way to add a sunroom.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Consider the typical weather where you live and the direction the sunroom windows will face.
However, a southern exposure meansadditional cooling, which could be costly.
A northern exposure will providelower levels of lightand partial shade most of the day.
Credit: Brie Williams
Vinylis the most popular material used for the supports of a sunroom.
It costs the least, requires minimal upkeep, and offers the best overall strength and insulation.
It is available mainly in white.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Most vinyl supports are multiwalled, meaning they have an internal reinforcement of either aluminum or galvanized steel.
Aluminumdoesnt insulate as well as vinyl, and its usually more expensive.
Woodis the most expensive choice of structural sunroom material.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
(A screen room needs an extension of the existing roof over the room.
)Wood requires periodic maintenanceto remain in good shape and look its best.
A glass roof is considerably more expensive but provides the most clarity.
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
Glass walls should be silicone double-sealed, A-rated, and labeled tempered safety to meet building code requirements.
