Sunrooms are a charming addition to your home. Bathed in warm light and with lovely views of the outdoors, sunrooms offer a peaceful respite within your home. Part of their appeal is that they allow you to enjoy the best of outdoor and indoor living all at once. And with the extra living space they provide, sunrooms can be used in a variety of ways, adding value to your home.
As with any home improvement project, there are a few considerations you’ll want to be mindful of when adding a sunroom to your home. Read on to familiarize yourself with sunroom options so you can build the perfect addition to your lifestyle.
Use
Think about how you will use your sunroom. Maybe it will be the perfect place to relax, read a book, take a nap or work from home. Perhaps you want to put a dining table in it to enjoy meals. It could also be a fun space to entertain family and friends. And it might make a great backdrop for your hobbies, whether you like writing, painting, working with your hands, listening to music or practicing yoga. Maybe you want your sunroom to do all these things, and as versatile as they are, you’re in luck!
Type of Sunroom
Consider which type of sunroom will best suit your desires. Two main types of sunrooms include:
- Three-season sunrooms: These sunrooms are designed to be used for three seasons out of the year — spring, summer and fall. Three-season sunrooms usually do not have internal climate control, so while they can be uncomfortable during extreme heat or cold, they’re ideal in moderate climates with mild winters and summers.
- All-season sunrooms: These sunrooms are meant to be enjoyed year-round. They’re built with insulated glass and other coatings to keep the inside temperate. Easy to heat and cool, all-season sunrooms are ideal in climates with harsh temperatures.
Size
Sunrooms can range from intimate nooks to sprawling additions. To plan the perfect size for your new sunroom, consider how you’ll use the room and how much yard space you’re willing to give up to accommodate it.
What Is a Good Size for a Sunroom?
A small sunroom is generally around 130 square feet. Roughly the size of a child’s bedroom, small sunrooms are budget-friendly and easy to heat and cool.
A medium-sized sunroom clocks in at around 220 square feet, about the size of a master bedroom. These sunrooms can comfortably hold between six and eight people, making them great for entertaining.
A large sunroom is 400 square feet or more. These are comparable to the size of a small two-car garage. You can use a large sunroom for just about anything you wish. They make great dedicated entertaining spaces, exercise rooms, game rooms and more.
Location and Direction
Location is a major consideration when planning your sunroom addition. Take into account the weather where you live and the direction your sunroom will face.
What Is the Best Direction for a Sunroom to Face?
The answer to this question largely depends on your location. If you live up north, you’ll want to build your sunroom in an area with southern exposure so that it gets plenty of light each day. But remember that all that sunlight will warrant extra cooling, which can be costly.
You can mitigate your cooling needs by building a sunroom with eastern exposure. With this orientation, the room will be sunny in the morning and shaded for the rest of the day. A western exposure can leave your sunroom vulnerable to glaring afternoon sun that you may want to shade. Keep in mind that window size also influences the amount of light and shade that your sunroom receives.
Finally, a northern exposure will provide less light and more shade throughout the day. This orientation may make a sunroom too cool and damp in northern climates, but it can work well in southern climates, possibly eliminating the need for extra cooling measures.
Access
Consider the room you’ll walk through to access your sunroom. You may want to access it from a bedroom if you want it to be a private space. On the other hand, living room access might be best if you’d like to use your sunroom for entertaining. Are you planning to dine in it regularly? Positioning the access door close to your kitchen will be helpful.
Materials
Think about which building materials will be best for your sunroom project. Some common sunroom materials include:
- Vinyl: Vinyl is a common choice for structural supports because it’s cost-friendly, easy to maintain and offers reliable strength and insulation. Vinyl is often available in white.
- Aluminum: Aluminum is a bit more expensive than vinyl and doesn’t insulate as well, but its strength makes it a good roofing choice. It is also easy to maintain.
- Wood: Wood is the most costly building material and needs regular upkeep to maintain its appearance and integrity. However, there’s no denying the beauty of a wooden structure. It’s also a great choice for screened rooms because you can easily attach the screen.
Maintenance
A sunroom is an investment that will require maintenance to keep it in good shape. Sunroom maintenance will vary depending on size and type, so consider how much time, energy and money you’re willing to invest in general upkeep. Some sunroom building companies offer maintenance plans that include periodic cleaning and inspection. Taking advantage of these can provide a stress-free way to have your sunroom professionally cared for.
Cost
Cost is another primary consideration when building a sunroom. Costs can vary widely depending on the following factors:
- Where you live
- The size of the sunroom
- The type of sunroom
- The quality of the building materials
- Whether the room is a brand-new structure or will be built on an existing foundation
- Heating, cooling and electrical needs of the room
The company you choose to build your sunroom addition may offer financing options to help you afford your new space.
Choose Maryland Sunrooms for All Your Sunroom Needs
Is your home ready for a wonderful sunroom addition? Maryland Sunrooms is the top sunroom contractor for homeowners in Maryland and beyond. We handle all of your sunroom design, installation and maintenance needs with an unmatched level of skill and professionalism. Our creative team of experts will help you choose and design a beautiful, high-quality sunroom that suits your needs, fits your budget and exceeds your expectations. Request a design consultation today!
