Do you have a patio or porch and are thinking about how you can give it a complete makeover? Enclosing that outdoor space can transform it into a stunning sunroom. A sunroom is an extended enclosed area attached to a home that offers indoor conveniences and outdoor exposure.
These areas don’t take away your existing outdoor extension — they make it more beautiful and functional. With natural light streaming in through the clear walls and windows, you’ll still enjoy panoramic views of the outside. Sunrooms have become increasingly popular because you can do much more with them than with a patio or porch.
Enclosing the area allows you to decorate as you see fit — bring in a couch, rugs, plants and so on. Most of all, you can use your space year-round or for a big part of the year, depending on the building materials and the insulation and air conditioning levels.
How Do You Enclose Your Patio or Porch?
If you already have an outdoor area with a roof, turning it into a customizable sunroom will be straightforward. Depending on your budget, style and the type of sunroom you desire, you can choose from a range of covers, such as clear vinyl tarps, aluminum screens, transparent fiberglass sheets, polycarbonate sheets and tempered glass.
It’s best to work with a professional sunroom installer to ensure you’re meeting all building codes and safety guidelines. Your construction team willl likely need to erect pillars to attach glass or other panels as walls and windows. They will generally rely on pressure-treated lumber for simple and cost-effective construction.
What Are the Benefits of a Porch Enclosure?
An enclosed porch has many advantages. Here’s a quick rundown:
1. Enhancing Living Space
enclosing a porch or patio adds more room to your existing living space in a way that an outdoor area can’t. A seasonal outdoor area is great until the elements kick in, making it unlivable. Turning that space into a sunroom offers additional indoor space, connected to the outdoors while protected from the elements.
Sunrooms let you enjoy the best of both worlds, giving you plenty of options for using the space. You can turn your sunroom into anything. If you’ve always wanted a dining space away from the kitchen, a secluded zone to unwind, a dedicated workspace or a lounge room for entertaining guests, a sunroom can be any of that.
One unique feature that gives sunrooms an edge over seasonal outdoor spaces is that you can choose a design that accommodates year-round usage as a four-season or climate-controlled space.
2. Natural Light and Views
An enclosed patio or porch offers a similar outdoor experience as a traditional space. Built with clear materials like glass panels or screens, it still ensures natural light streams into the room, allowing you to experience nature’s beauty. You’ll still enjoy panoramic views, breezes carrying the scents of the outdoors and birdsong.
While the enclosure may seem to limit interaction with the outdoors, it shelters you from the elements and insects, allowing you to experience your environment peacefully at any time of the year.
3. Temperature Control and Comfort
You can’t control the outdoors, but you do have full control over indoor spaces. Your customized sunroom gives you the power to control how the space feels and looks for maximum comfort. You can design your sunroom to be climate-controlled and experience only the best aspects of the outdoors and indoors.
Too much heat in the summer and frost in the winter are usually top concerns when building a sunroom. However, installing large windows for proper ventilation and adding air conditioning will allow you to maintain cool temperatures on hot days. Heating and weatherstripping can also help you maintain a comfortable temperature when it’s cold outside and enjoy your extra room regardless of the season.
4. Increased Home Value
A porch or patio may not add to your home’s square footage, but a sunroom changes everything. Enclosing a porch or patio creates an additional area that is both functional and beautiful. A sunroom makes your property more appealing to buyers and stands out in the real estate market.
When the time comes to sell, your sunroom will give you a bargaining edge because you have more to offer in terms of living space and aesthetics. And since a sunroom is a less costly home improvement project than an additional room, it could be the perfect way to make more on your sale.
5. Versatility and Customization
Sunrooms come in varying shapes, sizes and styles to match your style preferences, functional needs and budget. Depending on the type you’re going for, such as a three-season, four-season, or solarium, you could have a number of design options to pick from.
You’ll want to work with sunroom experts to explore customization possibilities that fit your specifications. For a climate-controlled space, for instance, you have various flooring options ranging from tile and hardwood to vinyl and carpets. You can also experiment with lighting and decor options fit for your sunroom type for a more personalized design.
6. Health Benefits
Humans have an innate connection to nature, which makes equipping your home to be nature-friendly beneficial for your health. Sunrooms are designed to bridge the gap between the outdoors and indoors, bringing in much-needed sunlight, a good dose of vitamin D and increased protection from harmful UV rays. You’ll enjoy the benefits of connecting with nature, like relaxation, stress relief and healing as you maintain complete immersion in the outside.
Unlike ordinary rooms in your home, a sunroom offers complete exposure to natural light, which has a positive effect on your mental and physical health.
Since sunrooms offer more exposure to the outdoors than any other room, you can turn them into relaxation retreats and benefit from the calming effects of the natural environment. Your sunroom can be a tool for improved physical and mental well-being.
Make the Most of Your Patio or Porch
Transform your patio or porch into a sunroom and enjoy benefits like increased living space, scenic views, natural light, increased home value, stress-free retreat and more. Enclosing your outdoor space unlocks the beauty of the outdoors plus the convenience of the indoors. It also allows you to customize the addition as you wish and enjoy it more often.
Are you thinking about adding a sunroom and would like professional guidance? Evolution Sunrooms has years of experience bringing dream sunrooms to life. Explore our website for additional resources and inspiration, or contact us for assistance in creating your dream sunroom oasis.
