When you first start looking into adding a sunroom to your house, you might be surprised that there are several major decisions you have to make. The first decision will be choosing which of the sunroom types you want. Two of the primary types are three season sunrooms or all season sunrooms. But what’s the difference?
THREE SEASON SUNROOMS
Insulation is the biggest factor that differentiates a three-season room from an all-season room. The insulation is what allows you to enjoy the room all year long. Without the insulation, you will typically only want to use the sunroom in the spring, summer, and fall. Even though the sunroom wouldn’t be warm in the winter, three season sunrooms are usually easier and less expensive to add because they are built onto a deck or patio. This means they are less integrated into your house’s structure, and you will have an exterior door to connect the home and sunroom. If you want an affordable and easy-to-build option, a three season sunroom will work great for you.
ALL SEASON SUNROOMS
If you want to be able to enjoy your sunroom all year long, it will take a little more work and money. All season sunrooms, sometimes referred to as four-season sunrooms, must be insulated and use your homes existing HVAC to maintain a comfortable temperature all year long. Rather than being added onto a deck or patio, all season sunrooms are built right into your home’s construction. They also are open to the rest of the house, so you won’t have an exterior door. While they’re more of an investment, they are perfect for people who want to be able to enjoy a comfortable sunroom in warm or cool weather.
A COST COMPARISON
Three Season vs Four Season Sunrooms
At S.E. Wisconsin Sunrooms, we understand that the distinction between a three-season and four-season room is essential when considering your home addition. A three-season room offers protection from weather elements such as rain, snow, dust, dirt, and wind without temperature control features. In contrast, our four-season rooms are engineered to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures year-round through insulation and integrated heating and cooling systems.
Historically speaking, there was a significant cost disparity between these two options due to differing electrical codes influencing their designs. However, advancements have leveled the playing field in terms of price; both types now share similar foundation requirements and electrical standards with only one notable difference: the grade of windows installed.
Our experience shows that customers in Wisconsin increasingly prefer investing in four-season rooms – evidenced by the shift from 70% preference for three season rooms down to just a 20% cost difference. This trend aligns with our advice to clients: it’s worth delaying construction until you can allocate an additional $3-4k into your budget for a transition from a traditional three season space into one suitable for all seasons if necessary.
CHOOSING YOUR SUNROOM COMPANY
Once you know what type of sunroom you want, your next choice will involve choosing one of the best sunroom companies to get the job done. At S.E. Wisconsin Sunrooms, we can help you choose which type will work best for you and guide you through the rest of the design process. After coming up with your plan, we will work to build your dream sunroom whether you want to enjoy it all year long or not.
