If you’re looking for a new addition to your property that’s beyond the scope of DIY, consider turning your deck into a sunroom. Provided you have the correct building permit and understand the local building codes, creating a three- or four-season room from your existing deck is easy. One of the hottest design trends is creating outdoor living spaces that combine the best of both worlds, and a new sunroom is the perfect way to try it out for yourself.
PWHI has been helping homeowners design and implement their dream home improvement projects since 1986.
What Type of Deck Do You Have?
An important consideration to make before deciding to convert your deck to a sunroom is whether you want additional space indoors. Decking is an outdoor living area and by screening in your deck area, you lose outdoor space. However, you can get large windows, retractable windows and roofing, French doors and other design quirks to ensure your sunroom construction lets in as much light as possible.
If you’re ready to go ahead and turn your wood deck into a sunroom, the first thing to take note of is which type of deck you have. This can help you come up with gorgeous but practical designs for your new home addition.
Attached
Attached decks are very popular for sunroom conversion because they’re already raised and attached to the side or back of a home.
Wraparound
Most wraparound decks are elevated to the same level as the entrance of the home, and they wrap around either the entire first floor or a portion of it.
Covered
Whether your deck is more like a screened porch or has a full roof covering, you can still convert it to an all-season room.
Which Style to Opt For?
There are several different styles of sunroom kit, so you can choose the one that suits your taste and budget best.
Three-Season Screen Room
Lots of people opt for three-season sunrooms because they’re affordable but still highly customizable. It’s comfortable for most of the year, but the winter months might be a little too cold because there’s not much insulation. You’ll still get more use out of it than a deck and have more protection from creepy crawlers and blowing leaves.
Four-Season Sunroom
If you want to go all out, a four-season room is the best choice. We build these using energy-efficient materials and include insulation and an HVAC system so you can enjoy the outdoors all year around.
Gable
A gable sunroom is a design that features a slanted roof and wooden beams, providing a rustic, cottage-like vibe.
Solarium
Glass paneling and roofing is great if you’re a keen gardener looking to create an indoor tropical paradise. Indoor gardens are very trendy, and a solarium can provide a warm and tranquil place to relax during the cooler months.
Other Important Sunroom Additions
The most exciting aspects of designing your screen room are the outside aesthetic and functionality. However, there are plenty of other components to think about:
- Floor: There’s a lot to consider when it comes to flooring. If you choose an all-season room, underfloor heating could add to the comfort and overall experience. Hardwood floors are easy to maintain, but carpeting can work well, too. Terrazzo and mixed color palettes are cute and fashionable tile trends.
- Ceiling: You can add extra insulation in the roof or opt for a retractable roof or simple awning. Skylights provide a beautiful view of the night skies while letting lots of natural light in during the day.
- Furniture: If you’re the sort of person who likes mixing up their interior design and changing it with the seasons, a sunroom is a perfect addition to the home. You can decorate it with plants and outdoor prints, set it up for dinner parties or use it to display your books and records.
- Windows: The whole point of a three- or four-season room is to enjoy the light and view of outdoors while protecting yourself from the worst of the elements. An added bonus is the ability to add window treatments. Tinted or reactive windows are ideal for protecting your eyes during the daytime. Blinds and curtains can make up part of your overall design aesthetic, too.
Pros and Cons of Converting Your Deck to a Sunroom
There are many advantages of turning your deck into a sunroom, but in some instances it might not be advisable. Here are the pros and cons:
Pros
- Decking is an attractive use of outdoor space, with great curb appeal. However, it’s not necessarily an efficient use of space because you can only use it for a limited part of the year.
- Arguably, a sunroom adds even more curb appeal than a deck and offers a decent ROI.
- You get more natural light, which is great for your mood and health.
- Designing the exterior and interior of the custom deck and seeing the finished project will provide a sense of pride and achievement.
Cons
- This isn’t going to be the cheapest home improvement project, but it’s one that will transform your property and provide additional living space.
- Although large windows are attractive from a design and light perspective, they don’t offer much in the way of privacy.
Questions to Ask When Hiring a Contractor
Choosing the right home improvement contractor to convert your wood deck into a custom screen room is important. Here are some important questions to ask your sunroom contractor:
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Will you help me to get the necessary building permits?
- How long will you spend on the project?
- Can I see past examples of your work?
- How will I know what the finished design will look like?
Call Prince William Home Improvement today at 800-799-7944 to ask us anything or get a quote for making your dream screen room a reality.
