Providing both additional living space and a place to enjoy natural light, sunrooms are generally added onto the side of a home, with walls mainly or entirely made of glass or screens. A two-season sunroom might be not much more than a deck or porch with a roof and screens; a three-season model will be windproof and waterproof; and a four-season sunroom is usually built on a foundation, heated and fully insulated.
Typical costs:
Depending on size and existing conditions, creating a simple two-season screened deck or porch starts around $500-$1,500 for do-it-yourself materials, and averages $5,000-$15,000 for a custom built version but can go higher for larger spaces, cathedral ceilings or other options. ThisOldHouse.com[1] describes how to build a screened room using stock wooden storm doors with interchangeable screen and window inserts.
Prefabricated sunrooms with glass walls start around $10,000 for a small (8x10-foot) space and average $15,000-$35,000 (including prep and foundation work) for larger three-season models that aren't temperature-controlled or smaller four-season versions. Costs can go as high as $60,000-$70,000 for a complete installation of four-season designs with cathedral ceilings, remote-control blinds and other options. ThisOldHouse.com[2] lists pros and cons for these "instant" additions.
Nationwide, average regional prices range from $66,046 -$83,463 to custom-build a 200-square-foot four-season sunroom addition from the ground up, with a slab foundation, post-and-beam framing, insulation, glass windows with screens, window shades, a ceiling fan and a tile floor, according to Remodeling Magazine[3] .
It typically takes several weeks or even months to custom-build a sunroom, which can easily be designed to blend seamlessly with the architecture of the rest of the house.
Better Homes & Gardens describes the options from open porch to sunroom and gives tips for bringing in the sun[4] .
Check with your local planning department for building codes and permit requirements. Permit costs can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the location and the size and complexity of the proposed house addition.
Additional costs:
Building an addition isn't the only cost; furniture and other decorating touches such as curtains or artwork can add $250-$1,000 to a simple screened porch and $1,000-$10,000 for interior-quality decor (to match the rest of the home) in a three- or four-season sunroom.
Selling for $5-$15, the Porch and Sunroom Planner by Better Homes & Gardens[5] thoroughly explains planning and designing, whether it's a do-it-yourself project or everything's done by a professional.
Be sure all needed prep and foundation work as well as any clean-up is included in a cost estimate, as these can add $2,000-$4,000 to the bottom line.
Shopping for a sunroom:
Decide how the room will be used (fair weather-only or year-round, personal retreat or family gathering space) and gather examples of appealing screened porches or sunrooms. RealtyTimes.com[6] gives an overview plus a list of issues to consider before adding a sunroom. ThisOldHouse.com discusses styles and materials for screened porches[7] and Better Home and Gardens talks about selecting a style[8] of sunroom.
The National Sunroom Association[9] lists dealers by state. Contractor referrals are available from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry[10] .
Get at least 4-5 estimates, making sure what is (and isn't) in each quote; understand whether all prep and clean-up work is included. For prefabs, ask to tour a model and a finished room in someone's home. For custom built, request and check references. Ask about the contractor's length and type of experience; and be sure they're properly bonded, insured and licensed in your state.
10 Quick and Inexpensive Home Makeover Projects To Do While At Home You may not be able to host the large family gathering for the holidays, but there are still many ways to pick up items curbside to spruce up your indoor space for your everyday enjoyment and to bring a more festive spirit. || Posted December 30 2020
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2x6 construction on concrete slab....vaulted ceiling....6 skylights....R-30 insulation....new electric....double-4 white vinyl siding and seamless gutters....custom tile floor....oak tongue n groove walls....custom fireplace w natural gas fireplace....6-Stimulous double hung windows and 2-Stimulous sliders w grids
Our home had a 4 season curved glass sunroom addition that had fogged up glass. We had replaced 5 of the windows in around 2006 (1 curved and 4 flat) for around $5k, but other windows had since fogged up. We compared 2 sunroom companies and one traditional builder. The first estimate was for $34,000 from a sunroom company for a gabled roof addition. They wanted to replace the existing crawlspace foundation with a slab and then install a dedicated heat/AC unit, which I didn't want (it had HVAC currently). The 2nd estimate was around $16k ("discounted" price if we agreed to write a promo letter), and that along with the guy's spiel made it seem too good to be true. We went with the traditional builder. $34k for a stick built, gabled room with large picture windows on one wall and 3-lite sliders on the other 2 walls, plus they replaced our aging 20'x20' deck with a much nicer looking one, and now it looks like part of the existing house rather than something just slapped on.
You said...."Nationwide, average regional prices range from $66,046 -$83,463 to custom-build a 200-square-foot four-season sunroom". That comes to $417.00 PER SQUARE FOOT! How did you determine this? No one in their right mind would pay that for a closed in patio. I have a roll roofed 20' X 20' patio my wife and I would like to enclose. But not if it's going to cost 4 times per sq. ft. what it cost to build the house new.
had an existing upper level wooden deck attached to the house. Using recycled (free) windows I framed in a completely enclosed sun room. Biggest expense was in the 3/12 roof which had to match the existing roof. If you live in a non strict HOA you can use a poly carbonate roof for ALOT less.
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