Sunroom addition Daylight you can use year-round
A sunroom addition creates a bright room with large windows, either as a three-season room used in mild weather or a four-season room that is insulated, heated and cooled like the rest of the house. What matters most is deciding which you want up front, since it changes the foundation, glass and HVAC. Call 804-566-7669.
How it works
- Call 804-566-7669Your call connects to an independent contractor in your area.
- Talk it throughSay what you want done, the age of the house and when you hope to start.
- Get it in writingScope, schedule and price on paper before any work starts. Then you decide.
1What sunroom addition involves
The main choice is between a three-season room and a four-season room. A three-season room is usually not heated or cooled and is separated from the house by an exterior door, so it is used in spring, summer and fall. A four-season room is built as true conditioned living space, with an insulated floor, walls and roof, energy-efficient glass, and heating and cooling. In most places, a four-season room must meet the same energy code as any other addition.
Sunrooms are built either from a manufactured system or stick-built on site. Manufactured systems use engineered panels and frames and can go up quickly once the foundation is ready. Stick-built rooms are framed like any addition and are easier to match to the house’s roofline and siding. Either way, the room needs a proper foundation; an existing deck or patio usually was not designed to carry walls, glass and a roof.
Glass drives comfort. Large areas of glass gain heat in summer and lose it in winter, so low-emissivity coatings, insulated frames and a solid roof rather than a glass roof are common choices for year-round rooms. A four-season room typically needs its own heat and cooling source, often a ductless mini-split, because extending existing ducts may not keep up with the glass.
How the work usually goes
- Choose three or four seasonDecide how and when you will use the room, since that sets the insulation, glass and HVAC requirements.
- Check zoning and foundationConfirm setbacks and lot coverage, and decide whether a new foundation is needed or an existing slab can be evaluated.
- Design and permitSelect a manufactured system or stick-built design, choose glass and roof type, and submit drawings.
- Foundation and framingPour footings or a slab below the frost line, then frame or assemble the walls and roof.
- Glass, roof and systemsInstall windows, roofing and flashing, then run electrical and add heating and cooling for a four-season room.
- Finish and finalInstall flooring and trim, seal the connection to the house, and pass final inspection.
2What decides it
Want a sunroom you can use all year?
3Common mistakes
- Building on an existing deckMost decks were not designed for walls, glass and a roof. Have the structure evaluated, and plan new footings if it cannot carry the load.
- Choosing a glass roof for year-round useGlass roofs can make a room hot in summer and cold in winter. A solid insulated roof with skylights is often more comfortable.
- Calling a three-season room a four-season roomAn unheated room with single-pane glass will not be usable in winter. Decide your use first and build to it.
- Leaving out heating and coolingExtending the existing ducts often cannot keep up with that much glass. Plan a dedicated source, such as a ductless unit.
4When to call a pro
Want a sunroom you can use all year?
Talk to a local contractor about it today.
5Questions
What happens when I call?
Your call to 804-566-7669 connects to an independent local contractor. Describe the project, ask your questions, and decide whether you want a quote. Calling does not commit you to anything. iLikeToFix earns a referral fee when a call connects; here is how that works.
What is the difference between a sunroom and a four-season room?
A sunroom often refers to a three-season room that is not heated or cooled and is used in mild weather. A four-season room is built as fully insulated, conditioned living space with efficient glass and its own heating and cooling, so it can be used all year. Four-season rooms usually must meet the local energy code like any other addition.
Can I turn my deck into a sunroom?
Sometimes, but often the deck needs work first. Decks are designed for people and furniture, not the weight of walls, glass and a roof, and their footings may be too small or too shallow. A contractor or engineer can evaluate the framing and footings. In many cases new footings or a new foundation are needed.
Does a sunroom add living space to my home?
A four-season room built to code as conditioned space is often counted as living area, while a three-season room usually is not. How it is counted can depend on local rules and on how an appraiser views it. If added square footage is a goal, ask about building to four-season standards from the start.
How do I heat and cool a four-season room?
A ductless mini-split is a common choice because it handles the room independently of the main system. Extending existing ducts can work if the system has spare capacity, but large areas of glass add heating and cooling load. An HVAC professional can size equipment based on the glass area and orientation.
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Sunroom addition start with one call
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