Are you trying to decide on what would be the best new addition to your home? Installing a sunroom or pergola is one of the best ways to add value to your life - and to your home. Around 40% of Americans don't get enough Vitamin D which can be caused by lack of sunlight.
But which type of sunroom or pergola is best for you? That's where our handy guide comes in. Keep reading to learn what type of sunroom or pergola is perfect for you and your lifestyle!
Sunroom Advantages
There are many advantages to sunrooms over other additions to the home such as a porch. The main advantage is that they attach to your home which means you don't have to go far to experience some sun!
The other great thing about sunrooms is that they are enclosed. This means that you don't have to only use outdoor furniture or worry about bugs. It's another part of your home and you can decorate it as such.
Consequentially, sunrooms are far more customizable than other options for getting sun, such as porches and even pergolas. You can decide what type of windows you want, whether or not you want air conditioning and heating, how the walls and exterior will look, and what you put inside. Speaking of windows, make sure you choose the best windows contractor in Brevard County to get the best quality.
It's also easier to maintain due to weather being less of a factor, so your new sunroom will last longer than any other option.
Because sunrooms can attach to your home they can actually increase your home's square footage where porches typically do not. You can be enjoying your sunroom for years and still expect to recoup around 47% of your investment if you decide to sell your home.
Sunrooms are normally more comfortable to be in and have more options for year-round use. To learn which sunrooms are best for year-round let's take a look at the different types of sunrooms you can choose from.
Types of Sunrooms
There are two main types of sunrooms that you will encounter when looking to add one to your home. Each has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages so it's important to choose wisely.
Three-Season Room
A three-season sunroom is exactly what it sounds like. The name means that the sunroom is designed for use in three seasons, spring, summer, and fall. This means that they are not engineered to be heated or cooled often or in the winter.
But, you may not need to use your sunroom year-round as heating an extra space can cost additional money on your monthly bill. These sunrooms are also perfect for warmer climates where you may not need heating very often. They're also cheaper than your average four-season sunroom which we'll talk about in a bit.
They are just as customizable and can be matched to your home. They won't have insulation, foundation, or footers, but you can expect various upgrade options like skylight panels. One fun thing to consider is adding solar panels to your sunroom so you can gain energy while you revitalize.
Four-Season Room
It stands to reason that if a three-season sunroom can be used in three seasons that a four-season sunroom means all year round! Four-season sunrooms are designed to be used at any time of the year in any weather. These are great for people who don't mind heating and air-conditioning another space.
It also means that you are adding heated square footage to your home which can be better at maintaining value. Of course, the trade-off is that these kinds of sunrooms are usually more expensive to build in the first place.
But, if you are someone who lives in a colder climate where winter days are often dark and dreary, any chance at catching sunlight can be valuable. Having extra space to be in, particularly in a smaller home, can maximize your enjoyment of your living situation.
Pergola Advantages
The main advantage of a pergola is that it creates a space anywhere on your property that allows you to take advantage of nature. While it isn't attached to your home this can actually be better as it allows you to create a space away from the house to relax in - to get away from the hustle and bustle.
Pergolas are often much cheaper and easier to acquire than something that involves actual construction such as a deck. If you want to have a pergola constructed, you can also do that.
They are also quite customizable in that you can choose the roofing style you want as well as any furniture, plus sizing and whether or not you want curtains and mosquito nets. You can have the option to decide whether you want to experience the sun on a more cloudy day, or protect yourself from the blazing sun in the summer.
One advantage of pergolas over other attached structures such as sunrooms is that they allow for the free flow of air throughout the space. Sun and fresh air are always nice!
What Else Should You Know About?
Now that you know all about the different types of sunroom options as well as pergolas you're probably wondering how else you can improve your home. While you're having work done you might as well have it done elsewhere too!
Check out our great plans for kitchen remodeling to see how the latest trends could improve your home.