Adding a sunroom gives you a space that maximizes sunlight and lets you enjoy the outdoors without being outside. With many different kinds of sunrooms to choose from, you can choose the perfect one to suit your needs. You can use these rooms in any way you’d like, including home gyms, libraries, playrooms, art spaces and entertainment rooms. Whether you use the space to hone your hobbies or gather with friends and family, a sunroom is a beautiful way to connect with the outdoors from the comfort of your home.
Pros and Cons of Sunrooms
Sunrooms can increase the value of a house, make your home more visually appealing and give you extra space to use as you see fit. A sunroom can create a wonderful entertaining space and an open area for hobbies, reading and working from home. Adding a sunroom to a ranch house can create a comfortable living area, freeing the rest of your space for other uses.
You can enjoy the benefits of a sunroom, including:
- More natural light in your home.
- Greater visual appeal to your living space and exterior.
- Extra space for family and guest activities.
- Reduced electricity costs.
- A dedicated room for hobbies or work.
- The added health benefits of increased sunlight exposure.
It’s also important to plan for your new sunroom’s potential downsides. For example, sunrooms offer limited privacy. You’ll want to invest in window coverings to keep people from seeing in through the windows if your sunroom faces the street or a neighbor’s yard. You’ll need proper insulation to control your home’s temperature — the extra sunlight can make your room warmer than you’d like and heat can escape through the glass in the winter.
Are Sunrooms a Good Investment?
Maryland homes with sunrooms can see an increase in value and a reduction in energy bills. These rooms encourage you to use natural sunlight during the day rather than flicking your light switches on or turning up the heat to stay warm. They increase your curb appeal and can help your home sell faster.
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How Much Does a Sunroom Cost?
A contractor will typically estimate a price based on the square footage. While the average cost of a sunroom is about $25,000, the cost can vary widely depending on what type of sunroom you want. You can expect somewhere between $80 and $230 per square foot for a three-season room and a four-season sunroom can cost between $200 and $400 per square foot. Other types of sunrooms can be much more expensive to install, though they can also drastically increase your home’s value.
You may also need to account for additional costs. For instance, a sunroom needs a foundation, which could be anything from a concrete slab to an existing deck or crawl space. If you don’t have a foundation, you’ll need to install one. You may also need interior finishing, insulation, wiring or an HVAC cooling and heating system.
Does a Sunroom Add Square Footage?
Adding livable square footage to your home will increase your home value. Adding a sunroom will add square footage to your home if it qualifies as an extension. Screened decks and porches do not count towards your home’s square footage. Three-season, four-season and other attached sunrooms may — contact a local real estate agent to find out what your sunroom needs to count toward your house’s square footage.
Do Sunrooms Increase Home Value?
Adding a sunroom increases your property taxes, but it will also increase the value of your home. You’ll need an assessor to estimate and record the increase before you see how much your taxes will increase. Your sunroom appraisal value will estimate how much you can expect when you sell your home and ensure you don’t ask too much or too little for your property.
You will also need to assess your insurance premiums since adding more space to your home means needing to cover more space. Your insurance company will need to update its policy before you begin construction to be sure your home is covered if any accidents occur during the installation. However, your sunroom may lead to a reduction in your premiums. New construction with high-quality materials means your home is less likely to experience damage, reducing the need to use your insurance.
While the resale value of homes with sunrooms increases, you may not see a complete return on investment (ROI). However, the value of a sunroom spans beyond the money you might get back when you sell your home. Although your house’s value might show a modest increase, adding a sunroom can improve your quality of life at home.
What Type of Sunrooms Increase Value the Most?
Extensive sunrooms with delicate architectural designs will increase your home’s value more than an enclosed porch. If you use energy-efficient windows or add insulation, you can see a more significant increase in value.
The style and size of your sunroom will affect the value of your home. Types of sunrooms include:
- Traditional sunrooms: A traditional sunroom is an extension of a home that serves as a multipurpose space.
- Three-season sunrooms: Three-season rooms are great for temperate regions without extreme weather conditions.
- Four-season sunrooms: Four-season sunrooms have thermal breaks that can withstand harsh winds and snow.
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How Much Value Does a Traditional Sunroom Add to Your Home?
Traditional sunrooms are a more conventional approach to your home addition than other options. These highly customizable rooms typically have the same wood and drywall construction as the rest of your home. Rather than stepping into an elegant new space, these rooms are meant to act as true additions that seamlessly integrate with the rest of your home.
You’ll need to ensure that this room has the same heating and cooling system as the rest of your home if you want it to add as much value to your home as other sunroom options. You can avoid increased utility costs with proper resources and windows, though you may still not be able to use this room during the colder times of the year.
How Much Value Does a Three-Season Room Add to Your Home?
As the name suggests, you can use a three-season sunroom during the spring, summer and fall. Because you can’t use these rooms every season, they add less value to your home than a four-season sunroom. However, in mild areas and neighborhoods where sunrooms are uncommon, you can expect a home with a three-season sunroom to come off the market sooner than other homes.
How Much Value Does a Four-Season Room Add to Your Home?
You can use a four-season room any day of the year. You can cool and heat these sunrooms to use them on the hottest days and coldest nights. All-season sunrooms are more expensive to install due to the additional materials you need to make them ideal in all weather conditions. However, they increase the value of your home more compared to three-season sunrooms.
Keep in mind that only some locations need four-season sunrooms. Some potential buyers may hesitate to buy your home if they feel they’re paying for protection they don’t need. If you live in an area where winters are mild, you can save on installation costs while still increasing your house’s value by opting for a three-season room.
Where Should You Place a Sunroom for the Most Value?
When most people think of a sunroom they picture it facing the backyard. However, the best place for your sunroom depends on your lifestyle and how you want to use the space. For example, if you do your best work in the evenings, you may benefit from a western room where you can have natural light later in the day. If you’re an early riser, you may want an eastern- or southern-facing room that illuminates your space as you start your daily routine.
There are benefits to consider for each option:
- North: Sunrooms that face north will receive less direct light, especially in the fall and winter. With the windows letting in plenty of continuous reflected light, northern-facing sunrooms make perfect art studios.
- South: Southern-facing rooms will have more light exposure throughout the year, which can be an enormous benefit in areas that experience harsh winters.
- East: Eastern rooms will give you bright light in the morning and provide a cool, shaded environment at night.
- West: Western-facing rooms will be the brightest in the afternoon and evening. Whether you’re a night owl or simply love to watch the sunset, a western sunroom is a great choice for those who thrive later in the day.
You’ll also want to consider whether trees or other obstacles will block the sun in your chosen location. If you place your sunroom in an area with more shade cover than you prefer, you may need to trim or remove any trees reducing the sunlight that reaches your windows.
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Sunroom Additions vs. Other Remodeling Projects
If you’re looking to remodel your home, you might be considering additional options that will make your life easier and more enjoyable. Are you considering multiple renovations or having trouble deciding between your favorites? Looking at the value you can add to your home can help you pick the best fit for you.
While most home renovations won’t see a total return on the project renovations improve your quality of life in addition to raising your house’s market value. However, if your main concern is raising your property value, you can expect an increase for most improvement projects, and there are tons of sunroom ideas that can completely transform your space.
How Much Value Does an Office Add to a House?
Home offices are essential in the current climate, with many people working from home or completing their schooling online. Dedicating a space for your computer, desk, monitor, printer and additional supplies can add value to your home. Buyers are interested in home offices that let them keep all their materials and supplies in a central location without needing to relocate to a different room during work hours.
Now is a good time to add a home office to your space — in 2021, 38.1% of employed U.S. adults worked from home on an average day. You should also keep in mind that your sunroom can double as an office. Check off two boxes at once and make your home more marketable for potential buyers by creating a work-friendly sunroom that you can use all year long.
How Much Value Do Energy-Efficient Windows Add to a House?
Energy-efficient windows will improve the look of your home, especially if you’re replacing windows that are old or leaky. Installing energy-efficient windows will also help reduce your heating and cooling costs throughout the year. They help you maintain a consistent temperature and keep the air circulating through your home rather than outside. You can see a fantastic ROI if you add energy-efficient windows throughout your entire home.
Upgrading your windows is another renovation that complements a new sunroom. Sunrooms with energy-efficient windows can dramatically cut the cost of your utilities. You’ll also have a temperate space full of natural light to retreat to, helping you limit the time you spend in other rooms using artificial lights or running your heater.
How Much Value Do Upgraded Bathrooms Add to a House?
Updating your bathrooms is another common home improvement project. This project offers a national average ROI of 54.6% to 70.6%. The bathroom is a room in your home you’re guaranteed to spend time in every day and an updated bathroom is an elegant way to encourage self-care. You can renovate your current bathroom off your bedroom, or opt to build an entirely new space for it somewhere else in your home.
If you’re looking for a way to enhance your bathroom experience, a sunroom master bath is a perfect option. You can transform your sunroom into a getaway master spa with beautiful decor and elegant accents. Use roller shades to ensure your privacy, incorporate a skylight for daytime relaxation and decorate the walls with cool and calming hues. If you have the space, you can even incorporate a hot tub or whirlpool bath to really treat yourself every day.
Learn More About Our Sunrooms
Maryland Sunrooms has over 100 years of combined experience in the sunroom industry. We’re the premier sunroom installation and design company in Maryland and the surrounding areas. Our team is full of sunroom experts who can handle all your installation, design and maintenance needs.
We specialize in many home improvement projects, including three- and four-season sunrooms, patio covers, conservatories and more. Our friendly team will work with you to find the best fit for your home and lifestyle while delivering personalized attention and quality customer service you can count on.
Take a look at our sunrooms or contact us to speak with a professional. We offer project estimates, design consultations and various product and labor warranties. We look forward to transforming your home and creating a unique space you love.
Julie Shetter is the Marketing Director at Maryland Sunrooms. She has over a decade of experience in the home improvement and sunroom industry.