A Complete Guide to Sunroom Costs and Construction Options

For homeowners looking to create additional living space, sunrooms are an appealing option, but sunroom costs can be more than you might expect. Since sunrooms are essentially an extension of your home, one that allows for bridging the gap between indoors and out while also extending the footprint of your residence, they require many of the same building materials as any other type of significant home addition.

Here’s a closer look at what to expect when embarking on a sunroom project and how to cut costs if you’re on a tight budget.

The Average Sunroom Cost

Like nearly any other type of construction project, sunroom costs vary significantly based on the size and kind of sunroom structure you’re planning, the finishes selected, and whether you opt for a custom design or a prefabricated kit.

According to David Steckel, a home expert with the San Francisco, California-based home services website Thumbtack, standard sunroom construction costs about $120 per square foot, and high-end sunroom construction will cost about $300 per square foot.

Three-Season vs. Four-Season Sunroom Costs

Another critical factor impacting the overall sunroom cost is its intended use. Are you hoping to create a room that can be enjoyed for three seasons a year or four? A room designed to be utilized all year, even when the weather gets much colder (or hotter), will be far more expensive to build.

“Four-season rooms are typically wired for electricity, have HVAC installed, and may even have plumbing,” explains Steckel.

Andrew Johnson, a home remodeler and founder of Prime Seamless in San Antonio, Texas, says the cost of a standard three-season sunroom (meaning a room that’s not insulated) can be anywhere from $15,000 to $40,000.

“On the other hand, a four-season sunroom that’s fully insulated and most likely includes amenities like electricity, plumbing, and HVAC…will cost you between $25,000 and $80,000, depending on your customizations,” says Johnson.

Those hoping to build a sunroom on a limited budget might want to avoid more luxurious four-season rooms.

Prefabricated vs. Custom-Built Sunrooms Costs

Yet another way to reduce sunroom costs is to opt for a prefabricated kit rather than a new custom sunroom built on-site. Prefab sunrooms can be put together more quickly and efficiently than ground-up construction.

“When purchasing a prefabricated sunroom, materials dictate cost with aluminum being the least expensive, vinyl the mid-level option, and wood-framed sunrooms the most expensive,” says Steckel. “Other factors that affect the cost of prefabricated sunrooms include window type (double-pane versus insulated), whether the sunroom is wired for electricity or HVAC, and whether it has simple glass walls that enclose a porch space or something more elaborate.”

Steckel says prefab sunrooms can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $30,000 or more, not including installation.

Sunroom Siding, Flooring, Window Styles, and Roof Materials

Home builder Richard Lee of Texas-based Lee Brothers Construction says building a sunroom requires decisions about a variety of materials that will affect the final look of the space, including roof type, flooring, siding, and window style. “These all play a role in the functionality and price,” explains Lee.

Flooring

The most common sunroom flooring types are vinyl plank and tile. It’s possible to use other types of flooring, such as stained concrete and wood, but most homeowners prefer the tile look, says Lee.

“In terms of pricing, from least expensive to most expensive, it looks like this: tile, vinyl plank, stained concrete, and finally wood as the most costly,” says Lee. “Tile and vinyl plank are very similar in price at $6 to $7 per square foot installed, while stained concrete and wood can cost as much as 50% more due to custom finishes.”

Siding

Siding is another consideration that impacts the final sunroom costs. “Pricing can vary greatly due to the wide range of options. Hardie and LP siding cost more than vinyl siding. Brick and stone cost more as well,” explains Lee.

Vinyl, the least expensive siding option, costs about $8 per square foot installed. Hardie and LP SmartSide siding ranges from $12 to $15 per square foot installed. Brick and stone will be the highest-cost alternative; homeowners can expect to pay approximately $25 to $30 per square foot.

“Each of these figures is based on remodeling costs, which includes demo of existing and installation of new siding,” says Lee.

HVAC

Finally, depending on where you live and how much of the year you hope to use your sunroom, air conditioning installation might also be part of the overall costs, which will be far more expensive than simply adding ceiling fans. This is because a licensed HVAC installer is required for air conditioning installation to extend your home’s air conditioning ducting or to add a mini-split HVAC unit for the sunroom, says Lee.

Must-Know Sunroom Building Tips

When it comes to completing a sunroom construction project, homeowners must spend plenty of time in the research and planning phase and take time to build their team of professionals. Don’t skimp on these steps.

As part of your initial efforts, Steckel recommends researching images and ideas for your finished sunroom so that you have a clear picture of what you’re aiming to build, and you can share the imagery and vision with whomever you hire.

“I recommend compiling at least 20 inspiration images and putting them into a folder or saving them on a Pinterest board,” explains Steckel. “This will be helpful in the long run as it will help the renovation team organically determine your aesthetic expectations and also help them anticipate additional costs for your scope of work.”

Always be sure to share your vision with the renovation team to ensure they understand your expectations at the outset. This will allow you to avoid unexpected sunroom costs in the middle of the project.

“The number one mistake that homeowners make is rushing to begin their job,” adds Steckel. “Every day that you spend planning, hiring your team, selecting finishes, and value engineering takes days if not weeks off the duration of the job,” says Steckel. “Doing this well is the only way to accurately price your job and it is the only way to make sure there are no surprises.”

This article was written by Margaret Littman from Better Homes and Gardens and was legally licensed through the DiveMarketplace by Industry Dive. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.