A glass- or screen - enclosed space connect you with the open . Here ’s how to decide which seasonal room boast become your house comfortably .

Sunrooms , filled with sun and cozy patio furniture , are the idealistic spotto unwind with a beverage and a good book . When you add together a sunroom , these transitional spaces tie your home with the open while protect you from the elements , allowing you to enjoy the good of indoor and outdoor living at the same sentence . If you ’re consideringadding a sunroom to your home , you should know all your options . There ’s a lot to consider between the differenttypes of seasonal way , materials choices , and budget business organization . Use this usher for everything you necessitate to acknowledge before you add a sunroom .

Types of Sunrooms

Seasonal room come in many forms . Here are the basic type to consider if you need to add a sunroom .

Sunroom

When you add a sun parlor like this ( a solarium or conservatory ) , it ’s a glass in - in bread and butter space typically attach to the house and accessible from indoors . It ’s designed to function as anadditional livelihood areaduring balmy weather . However , because sunrooms unremarkably are n’t hooked up to your home ’s heating or cool down system , they may not be comfortable in harsh summers or winters .

Four-Season Room

Closely related to to the sunroom , this alternative is designed to be heated and cool . As a outcome , when you add a sun parlor that ’s four seasons , it can be enjoyed twelvemonth - orotund .

Attached Greenhouse

boast the same basic structure and shell construction as a sunroom or four - time of year room , an attachedgreenhouse structureoffers light , temperature , and humidity levels design for plants .

Screened-In Room or Porch

This option hasmesh - screenland windows or wallsrather than glass , which put up the advantage of fresh atmosphere without insects . Like the sunroom , it ’s habitable only when the weather is consonant . Because the materials are relatively inexpensive , this is a budget - friendly way to add a sunroom .

Where to Add a Sunroom

determine on the best position to add a sunroom is the first step when planning a glass or concealment addition . reckon the typical weather where you hold out and the direction the sunroom window will face . In northern clime , an area with southern exposure is good because it will get the most brightness each day . However , a southern exposure meansadditional cooling , which could be costly .

An eastern exposure will ease cooling indigence by providing Dominicus in the morning and shade the rest of the day , while a westerly orientation course could expose you to harsh afternoon Dominicus that will need to be shaded .

A northern exposure will providelower levels of lightand partial shade most of the day . In the North , this can cause the room to be too coolheaded and damp , but it can work finely in the South , where it may eliminate the need forwindow treatments or additional chilling .

table with flowers by hanging chair on porch

Credit: Karin Lidbeck Brent

Types of Sunroom Materials

Understanding the element of a seasonal room will help you select the eccentric of place you want .

Vinylis the most popular cloth used for the supports of a sunroom . It costs the least , require minimal upkeep , and offers the good overall strength and insulant . It is available mainly in white . Most vinyl documentation are “ multiwalled , ” meaning they have an internal reenforcement of either aluminum or galvanized sword .

Aluminumdoesn’t insulate as well as vinyl radical , and it ’s usually more expensive . However , many rooms that use vinyl group - coated vertical backing for aesthetics or added insulation have aluminium as the ceiling anatomical structure for added strength .

Porch with striped rug, two couches, and wooden table

Credit: Nathan Kirkman

Woodis the most expensive pick of structural sunroom cloth . However , it ’s the most appropriate choice for screen rooms because you may easily attach the filmdom mesh to the timber . ( A screen way needs an extension of the be roof over the room.)Wood require periodic maintenanceto remain in good shape and look its sound .

Sunroom Roof and Wall Ideas

Sunrooms , four - season room , and greenhouse are surround with methamphetamine hydrochloride androofed with methamphetamine or polycarbonate(a tough , transparent thermoplastic ) . A spyglass roof is considerably more expensive but provides the most clarity . Look for the atomic number 92 - value of the glass or polycarbonate ; this is a measure of how much heat the material conduct . The lower the number , the less heating system passes through , so choose the lowest possible U time value for themost energy - efficient space .

Glass walls should be silicone twice - sealed , A - rated , and label “ tempered rubber ” to encounter building codification requirements . These are the best choices :

For polycarbonate components , await for these options :

Porch with dining area, striped rug

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Sunroom Heating and Cooling Ideas

If you ca n’t build your sun parlor in the locating that will keep it the most well-situated , or you want more time of day to enjoy your all - time of year way , consider these options :

Average Costs to Add a Sunroom

In 2022,experts reportedthese numbers for the cost to contribute a sunroom :

Porch with striped rug, couch, two tables and chairs

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Porch with fireplace and wicker seating

Credit: Brie Williams

Porch with swing seating and pillows

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Porch with floral seating and doily rug

Credit: Kim Cornelison

farmhouse living room unpainted wood many windows

Credit: Kritsada Panichgul