The thought that’s always on my mind is to add a solarium inside my home. I mean, who doesn’t want a peaceful and bright space in the comfort of their own house? A place where you can enjoy the sunlight without dealing with bugs or bad weather? It’s like bringing the outdoors in, but with comfort. But, before jumping and building one, I have realized there are a lot of factors to consider in building a DIY sunroom. The major one is the sunroom cost.
The prices may vary depending on the chosen type, materials used, and even where you live. You don’t have to stress, as I have already done a deep dive into everything. In this blog, I’ll break down the different types, sunroom cost, and other little things that can impact the price. Let’s get into it!
Average Price and Variations for a Glass Room
The average sunroom cost and variations may depend on the following things:
Basic Three-Season Atrium
During the three seasons, summer, fall, and spring, this is an ideal type of patio enclosure for such weather. But, they are not suitable for extreme weather and cannot provide insulation. So, you can enjoy under the roof of this atrium without rain or bugs.
| Average Cost | Per Square Foot |
| Its average is between $10,000 to $40,000 | Its per square foot is from $80 to $230 |
Four-Season Patio
A Four-season glass room is like a more advanced version of the previously discussed. These are all-seasoned ones with a proper system of insulation, energy-efficient windows, along with both heating and cooling systems. It can be used for multiple purposes.
For instance, you can turn it into a home office, dining area, or extra lounge that’s comfortable in all seasons. The prices of this type of atrium are higher.
| Average Cost | Per Square Foot |
| Its average is between $47,000 to $190,000 | Its per square foot is from $200 to $400 |
Per Square Foot Pricing
These may vary depending on the labor, your location, and any additional special things you want to add. Any factor may be involved in the sunroom cost. Here is a rough estimate of the pricing, keeping in per your space:
| Size | Three Season | Four Season |
| 10 x 10 ft | $8,000–$23,000 | $20,000–$35,000 |
| 14 x 14 ft | $15,500–$45,000 | $39,000–$65,000 |
| 20 x 20 ft | $32,000–$90,000 | $80,000–$124,000 |
Types of Solarium
There are different styles of garden rooms, each with its own features and expense. It’s up to you which one you choose for yourself. These are:
Screened-In Porch
The first type we’ll discuss here is the screened-in porch. It is the most budget-friendly type. Covered with a mesh screen without solid walls. It lets fresh air come inside while protecting from bugs, flies, mosquitoes, and light rain.
Not a good option for summer and winter seasons, because of the absence of insulation or glass. But if you are someone who loves enjoying breezy evenings or quiet outdoor dinners. Get one for yourself made like this.
Three-Season Solarium
This is made out of solid walls and glass windows, which shows it gives more shelter as compared to a screened porch enclosure. Three-season patio enclosures are especially designed for milder seasons, including summer, spring, and fall. That’s why it is called a three-season glass room.
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It is not insulated or has any connection with your house’s cooling and heating systems. So, this might get colder in wintertime.
Four-Season Solarium
A Four-Season glass room is a natural extension of your home and a perfect relaxing corner where you can work, or even dine. It is an all-season room equipped with all facilities like proper insulating systems, double-pane windows, and a connection with your HVAC system. For energy efficiency guidance, visit the U.S. Department of Energy.
Perhaps, it keeps the temperature thermoregulated. Because it stays cool in the summer season and warm in winter. Certain materials are used in its making, which help to maintain temperature control. Obviously, it gets quite expensive due to the involved labor and high-end material.
Custom Solariums
You can design it in your own way and style. It is totally according to your preferences. Ideas may vary from person to person, like some want special glass, vaulted ceilings, and even a fireplace. This room will turn your visions into reality.
The prices may vary depending on the complexities of the designs and the materials used. It adds beauty and value to your home, satisfying you as per your own needs.
Material Choices
Material choices impact the sunroom cost. It can keep the following options in mind whenever you plan to build it in your house. You can keep the following options in mind whenever you plan to build a sunroom in your house.
Wood
Wood takes the aesthetics of your conservatory to the next level. Despite being beautiful, and a top preference of homeowners, as they love its warm and cozy feel. Therefore, you need to have a lot of patience required from you. Because it is likely to be affected by issues like rot, insect damage, and moisture damage. And for that, you need to keep it upgraded, like staining, sealing, or re-painting.
Aluminum
A choice you can make for it being a strong yet low-maintenance material. Aluminum is resistant to wearing out, like rust and corrosion. It is durable in different weather conditions. It has a bit plain look for some of you, but you can get aluminum in different options like the coated or textured ones.
Many homeowners find it a practical choice, and it gives you the best insulation in extreme weather by holding both cold and heat.
Vinyl
A very popular choice is the Vinyl, plus it’s friendly on your pockets. Also, it doesn’t need extra maintenance. You can find different varieties in its colors and finishes, which you can choose from. Be careful in your selection, very cheap vinyl will not last long. Go for better quality, but vinyl is way more affordable than aluminum or wood.
Furthermore, you must watch out for the materials used for the flooring. This may charge you as well, so you can consider these factors when choosing the conservatory’s flooring.
Installation Charges of a Conservatory
The installation fees comprise the labor, permits, and site preparation. Take a look at them:
Labor fees
Labor charges you the most, and it even gets pricey if you hire a construction team or an experienced contractor. It ranges anywhere about $3,000 to $20,000, depending on the size or the complexity of your project.
Permits
The permit rates vary depending on the location and scope of your project. Still, a rough estimation is $200 to $500. Therefore, it is necessary to check early, as the pricing and rules vary from country to country or city to city. The International Code Council can help you understand zoning laws.
Site Preparation
Before getting your construction start, get a clear idea about your area by discussing it with a local professional. Thus, site preparation is really important. Leveling up and clearing the surface of land to lay a foundation is what it means. The rates required to prep are from $500 and $5,600, dependent on the yard’s condition and the foundation’s type.
Additional Factors Impacting Sunroom Costs
Several additional factors may be affecting the cost of sunroom, including the following:
HVAC Systems
HVAC systems can charge you a bit more, which is around $6,000, whereas a simple portable unit is budget-friendly, costing about $300. The pricing is on you and the space you have. Choose what sets best for you, and prefer accordingly.
Electrical Work
Electricity adds to the additional expense of building a conservatory. Normally costing you around $1,000 to $3,000 while adding/installing electrical outlets, ceiling fans, or lighting. It is worth budgeting to use the space at nighttime or to charge devices.
Insulation
Insulation is the key and core element for your glass room. A good, highly controlled insulation system will help in minimizing your energy bills and temperature, too. The rate is dependent on the thickness and energy efficiency of the materials used. It’s between $500 and $1,500.
Windows and Doors
Then, come the windows and doors, enhancing the look even more. The prices of both may vary depending on the quality you have installed. But, good ones aren’t that cheap, let me tell you this. Have a rough estimate in between $3,500 to $15,000 for windows, while 1,300 to 11,000 for doors.
Interior Finishing
Last but not least is the inside of your garden room. The little details even add wonders to its beauty. Complete by finishing up with the touches like wall paint, trim, furniture, and flooring. All of this is around $200 to $9,000.
Maintenance Expense
To keep your conservatory in good condition, maintenance is required. The kind of maintenance you are undertaking affects the sunroom cost. The following are the maintenance expenses:
Cleaning
During the spring and summer seasons, there is a pollen and dirt buildup. That is why you need to clean it. Cleaning is something that should be done daily by wiping down the windows or dusting off dirt from sills and frames. It is the easiest and foremost thing to do for your garden room’s maintenance.
Repairs
Sometimes you may experience small issues with repairs. These issues may pop any time and can be any, including cracked window seals, leaks during heavy rain, or even wear and tear. Try to fix these problems as early as possible for further prevention.
HVAC Maintenance
To keep your HVAC maintained, you need to keep your systems checked at least once a year. This will make it work efficiently and will gradually lower your energy bills. Therefore, annual servicing of your cooling/heating systems makes a huge contribution.
Material Matters
The type of material used is the essential thing that matters in the construction of the patio. Here, the material matters in the maintenance of your solarium. Choose and plan according to your area’s weather conditions.
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A good idea is to make a budget for the yearly expenses covered in maintenance. Aluminum and vinyl are ideally good options to consider while picking materials.
Does adding a sunroom increase taxes?
Expanding your home further with a living space in the form of a conservatory automatically increases its market value. Hence, increasing the sunroom cost. And it will give rise to higher property taxes by your local tax assessors. The factors that may be involved in the expansion of taxation are the following:
- Your Chosen Type Sunroom
It has a huge impact on your taxation matters in terms of which type of glass room you are having. If you have a full-fledged four-season option, then it will definitely charge you with heavy taxes. Whereas, if you go for a three-season or screened-in porch, you will have lower taxation values.
- Quality of Construction
The addition of high-quality materials and finishes will have the potential to increase the tax assessment.
- Local Tax Regulations
Different areas have different property tax laws. In some cases, the municipalities may check and update your property’s value soon after the construction of your patio. While some might wait for the next regular assessments.
Recommendations
You must consult with your local authorities to have a brief understanding of your property and tax matters along the way. You must be aware of the return on investment policies that show how much your property’s taxes could go up by building an atrium inside your house. Plan wisely as per your total budget, keeping in view the yearly rise in property taxes.
Conclusion
In building a solarium, you are advised to seek professional help further. But first, you need to understand its various types, materials, and many more to build based on your choice, and keep it budget-friendly. It will enhance the value of your home. And you must have knowledge regarding the sunroom cost.
