What is a Sunroom? + Pros & Cons

Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, having your own sunroom allows tons of natural light to stream inside and brightens up your space. Sunrooms are usually attached to a house, though are physically separated by a sliding patio or French doors. Most sunrooms are also surrounded by windows and may have a glass ceiling or skylight for hours of sunlight. You may hear people refer to sunrooms as solarium, conservatory, four-season sunroom, or three-season sunroom.

What is the Purpose of a Sunroom?

Sunrooms offer a luxurious way to enjoy more sunlight and additional relaxation space. Many people use the room as extra living space during mild weather. Sunrooms are also ideal for feeling connected to nature, no matter what the weather looks like outside.

Pros of a Sunroom

Sunrooms are often coveted features in rental homes for all the benefits they offer. The primary focus is on the extra, sunny space offered. Here are a few ideas on how to use a sunroom to your advantage:

Home Office

A sunroom immediately brightens up your workday when it doubles as your home office. However, it’s wise to add window treatments to close at the end of the day, to make sure your computer and other equipment are out of sight.

Additional Living Room

If you enjoy entertaining, a sunroom can serve as an extra living room. It’s also an inspiring place to entertain guests where they can watch the sunset or enjoy the views of your outdoors.

Exercise Room

Instead of joining a gym or taking up valuable space in your home, turn your sunroom into an exercise room. You may feel more inspired by the sunlight and watching nature while getting fit.

Greenspace

Load up on plants and an indoor garden system to turn your sunroom into a private greenspace. Plants help improve your air quality, reduce stress, and bring more life into your home.

Kids’ Playroom

Keep kids’ toys and gadgets out of the way by turning your sunroom into a playroom. Little ones will enjoy the sunshine and access to the backyard. When they’re done playing for the day, it’s easy enough to shut the door or draw the curtains, so the mess is out of sight and out of mind.

Guest Room

It is unlikely that the city will consider your sunroom a legal bedroom. However, you could turn it into a makeshift guest room with the proper modifications. Adding temperature controls, like fans and a space heater, and window treatments are a must for comfort and privacy. Make sure the space is secure with a lock on any doors leading to the outside of your home.

Increased Home Value

Depending on the modifications you make, your home value can increase with the addition of a sunroom. Some studies estimate homeowners recoup an average of 47% on a sunroom investment. Beyond the potential ROI, sunrooms also attract more demand from renters and homebuyers.

More Natural Light

Sunrooms are designed to let natural light pour in and brighten up your space. They’re especially beneficial if the rest of your home lacks enough windows or feels dark.

Cons of a Sunroom

There are plenty of pros to sunrooms, but there are some downsides to consider before tackling the project.

Large Startup Costs

When you’re adding an extra room, it makes sense that additional costs are involved! Get a few quotes so you can know what to expect, and remember to factor in painting, decor, window treatments, rug, and furnishings. You’ll also need to pay for building permits and specific building materials, like insulation, and electrical work.

Increased Property Taxes

When you increase the value of your home, your property taxes will increase too. It’s unavoidable, but you should speak to your accountant to explore other areas to offset your taxes or how to make the addition worth your while.

Insurance May Be Adjusted

You must notify your insurance company about your sunroom addition to update your policy. They may want to know what types of materials were used when building your sunroom and how that might impact your premium or claims. However, it’s possible that new construction could also lead to a reduction in premiums when considering the updates to the roof and other areas.

What’s the Difference Between a Three-Season vs. Four-Season Sunroom?

A sunroom is often a blanket term for any miscellaneous room attached to a house with lots of windows. However, there is a difference between spaces that are considered three-season and four-season sunrooms.

As the name implies, three-season rooms are designed for use during milder seasons. They’re typically built with less hardy materials and aren’t insulated fully or provided with a heat source. You can maximize your time in the sunroom during spring, summer, and fall but are less likely to enjoy it during the winter.

Four-season sunrooms are ideal for year-round use and are built with thermal resistance and insulation. They usually have double pane glass to insulate the space further and are heated like the rest of the home. But one of the drawbacks is the lack of light compared to three-season rooms. Four-season sunrooms need more building materials and walls to keep them fully insulated for year-round use.

Where is a Sunroom Located in a House?

A sunroom is often built on the back or side of the house, but it depends on the owner. If you want to watch the sunrise every morning, build your sunroom facing east to soak up the views. If you’re more of an evening person, build it facing west to watch the sunset over a glass of wine. Sometimes, homeowners will build a sunroom without maximizing the sunrise or sunset but instead face gorgeous mountains or lake views.

How Much Does a Sunroom Cost?

Sunrooms vary, depending on the type you want to build and your chosen materials. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

Initial costs:

• Small sunrooms = $8K
• Large sunrooms = $80K+

Additional costs:

There are additional costs to consider when building a sunroom, which largely depends on the climate you live in and the average weather. You may need to pay more for insulation if you live in a cold environment. Your average utility bill will also increase during the winter months since you may have to add extra heating! However, the upside is you’ll likely lower your utility bill during mild months because you have access to more light.

Is Getting a Sunroom Right for Me?

Scoring a sunroom as a homeowner (or renter) offers more natural light and space. However, there are some additional costs to consider before you get started. Weigh the pros and cons to decide what to prioritize and whether or not the trade-off is right for you.