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We have all dreamed of those early, peaceful mornings with a coffee or tea on the porch. Or maybe you’re a night owl and your idea of enjoyment is when the stars are out and the night is alive.
A sunroom allows you to enjoy the sights of the outdoors while remaining indoors. You can rise with the sun or unwind after a busy day in a space free of bugs, strong winds, the elements, or undesirable temperatures.
The purpose of a sunroom is to provide as much natural light as possible. For that reason, sunrooms are structures surrounded by glass or windows.
Warning: Adding a sunroom may cause you to have a new favorite room in the house! While we are big fans of homeowners adding sunrooms to their property, there are a few things to consider before fully committing.
The first step on the road to building a sunroom is to determine where the new space will go. A sunroom project could include remodeling an outdated sunroom, putting an addition on your house, or converting an existing porch or patio.
It’s important to be mindful of how much natural light the desired location receives throughout the year. For homes in Iowa, choosing a side of the home that has exposure to the south is ideal as it will receive the most sunlight throughout the day.
It’s okay if you don’t have availability to add a sunroom on the south-facing side of your home. Simply be aware that you may not capture maximum amounts of natural light. Be sure you’re making an informed decision as you consider adding a sunroom to your home.
Choosing the purpose of your sunroom plays an important role in deciding the size, layout, and interior selections.
Will it be your personal retreat with no kids or distractions allowed? Do you want a room for the whole family to enjoy? Can this serve as a new playroom for your kids while letting them enjoy some outdoor exposure?
Seriously consider the intent and vision you have for how your new sunroom will be used by your family so you can make the most of it.
The purpose that your room will serve will help narrow your flooring choice. Carpet wouldn’t be ideal for high foot traffic or frequent messes. Similarly, tile might not be the best choice if you want the room to feel warm and inviting. Choose a floor type that will match the feeling you want to create and be appropriate for the way the room will be used.
Sunrooms can have a variety of door and window types. You will want to determine if you want access to the outdoors from your sunroom. It could be a hanging door, sliding door, or French doors.
The openness and exposure to the outdoors is a big benefit of a sunroom. Perhaps minimal windows are ideal if you plan on making it a private space. Include windows with screens if you want a breeze to pass through the house on beautiful spring and fall days.
A three-season room is built for the spring, summer, and fall months, whereas a four-season room can be comfortably occupied all year long. The difference is that a four-season sunroom is hooked up to your existing heating and cooling system.
You can maximize the use of a three-season room with the use of quality insulation, adding a ceiling fan, or utilizing a space heater or small gas heater to endure the colder winter temperatures.
Know what your heating and cooling requirements are now so your project will run smoothly and you can enjoy the sunroom in the way you intend.
Think about the layout of your sunroom and what electronic devices you will want to be able to use. This can include plugging in lamps, a TV, a vacuum, charging a cell phone, listening to music on a speaker, using an essential oil diffuser, and more. You will want to communicate these needs to your builder to assure you have electrical access in the right spots for your sunroom.
You should have a plan for what aesthetic you’re aiming to emulate in your sunroom whether that be a rustic farmhouse to mid-century modern. The style might inform your flooring, window or door selection. For the early riser, you might consider adding a small table with a few chairs to enjoy your morning coffee and reading. For those looking to create a personal escape, you’ll want to think about the right lighting, chairs, and sofas to help you relax.
It’s going to be your sunroom so have some fun and create the space you’ve been waiting for!
If you’re ready to take the next step towards owning a sunroom, screened porch, patio enclosure, or covered porch, give us a call or send us a message. We have over 15 years of residential construction experience in the Des Moines and central Iowa area.
If you’re still considering a sunroom or need some inspiration, our portfolio is full of sunroom and patio projects. Home remodeling and construction projects come with a lot of decisions, and we enjoy helping our clients every step of the way. We are happy to answer any questions and provide quotes for your home remodeling project.