A room that lets you enjoy great views of the outdoors while you’re still cozy inside is a strong temptation, but how much does it cost to add a sunroom to your home?
From a conservatory to a four-season design, there are a range of sunroom ideas that can provide a light-filled space that connects your home and yard. But, as with any home addition, drawing up a budget beforehand is vital to get the results you want.
Whichever type of space you’re considering, these are the costs involved in adding a sunroom to your home.
Cost to add a sunroom to your home
Adding a sunroom might be a project in its own right or part of a more extensive home renovation. Either way, one of these rooms will increase natural light with its generous glazing as well as provide a beautiful outlook allowing you to make the most of the landscape from the comfort of the interior.
Although they all provide a transitional space between the inside and out, sunrooms differ from conservatories and solariums because they have a traditional roof rather than a glass version.
As for what you might pay? ‘On average, it costs $47,000 to add a sunroom to your home,’ says Mallory Micetich, home expert at Angi. ‘However, it can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $140,000, depending on the size and type of sunroom you choose.’
Below are the factors that will affect how much it will cost to construct a sunroom for your home:
1. Sunroom type
There is a range of different rooms that fall under the category of 'sunroom,' and which you select will inevitably impact your final costs. This is Mallory’s verdict on what the bill for each might be:
Four-season sunrooms are generally the most expensive type of sunroom, costing between $25,000 and $80,000. The added expense goes toward insulating the room, letting you enjoy your sunroom year-round.
Three-season sunrooms are slightly less insulated and more affordable than four-season sunrooms. Expect to pay between $10,000 and $40,000 for a three-season sunroom.
Glass solariums are made almost entirely out of glass, including the walls and roof. On average, it costs between $30,000 and $75,000 to build a glass solarium.
The cost of building a conservatory (also known as a garden room) varies more than the other types of sunrooms. You can pay anywhere from $5,000 to $80,000 for a conservatory.
2. Size
Just as with any home addition, the square footage of what you choose to construct will influence the final bill for the project.
‘The size of your sunroom is one of the biggest factors when determining your project’s overall cost,’ explains Mallory. ‘You can expect to pay between $150 and $300 per square foot to build your sunroom. Small sunrooms with 5 x 10 foot dimensions can start as low as $7,500, while large sunrooms with 20 x 20 foot dimensions can cost $120,000 or more to build.’
3. Foundations
Whether or not you have the foundations for a sunroom counts, according to Mallory.
‘If you don’t already have a foundation for your sunroom, you'll need to budget extra to cover the costs of site prep and pouring the foundation,’ she says. ‘Site preparation usually costs between $500 and $5,600, while pouring foundation costs between $1,000 and $6,000.’
4. Insulation
For a sunroom to be enjoyable to spend time in, it should have insulation just as the rest of a home should as part of the eco-home improvements you make.
‘You will need to add insulation to keep your sunroom at a comfortable temperature,‘ says Mallory. ‘Expect to pay between $500 and $1,500 to add insulation to your sunroom.’
5. Roof material and type
Opting between a sunroom, conservatory, and solarium affects what the roof is made from – and what you can expect to pay for the room.
‘The material and style of your roof will influence the cost of your sunroom,’ explains Mallory. ‘Most people end up paying between $3,600 and $8,500 to install a sunroom roof.’
6. Windows and doors
A sunroom has plenty of windows and there are the doors to consider as well, all of which factor into the cost.
‘Windows can be one of the most expensive components of a sunroom, costing between $3,500 and $15,000 to install,’ says Mallory. ‘If you want to install patio doors, add an extra $1,300 to $11,000 to your budget.’
Bear in mind that window treatments, including window blinds and shutters, will also be required to regulate light, protect furniture from the sun, and provide privacy as necessary.
7. Electricity
Don’t forget the fact that the room needs lighting and electrical outlets. ‘Electricity is necessary to make your sunroom practical and comfortable,’ says Mallory.
‘Expect to pay $130 to $270 per outlet, $150 to $350 per ceiling fan, and $150 to $800 per light fixture.’
8. HVAC
It’s a good idea to do some research to assess how much to budget for HVAC in your particular circumstances.
‘The cost of adding an HVAC system to your sunroom can vary significantly,’ explains Mallory. ‘I recommend reaching out to a professional to see if you need to install a small, new system or if you can expand your current system. Factor in around $2,300 to $20,500 to install an HVAC system in your sunroom.’
9. Finishes
Factor in the finishes that make a sunroom a space as chic as the rest of your home – and one with decor that complements its overall style, too.
‘Interior finishes like paint and flooring can cost anywhere from $200 to $9,000,’ says Mallory. ‘This can also be a great place to cut costs by choosing affordable materials or DIYing simple projects like painting a room.’
FAQs
Is adding a sunroom a good investment?
In terms of renovation projects that will add value to your home, adding a sunroom doesn’t offer the best return on investment. ‘On average, sunrooms have a 49% ROI,’ says Mallory Micetich, home expert at Angi. ‘Installing a sunroom may be less valuable than high-ROI projects like kitchen and bathroom remodels, but it can still recoup half of your investment when it comes time to sell.’
Of course, a sunroom can allow you to enjoy your home more in the years that you occupy it, making it well worthwhile. And when you do list your home, a sunroom with its excellent natural light and views could boost its curb appeal.
A sunroom adds a bright, airy space in which to relax but it's possible to achieve a similar result with other home addition ideas. You could opt to expand a kitchen or increase the square footage of your existing living space. Whatever you decide, it’s vital to plan a home addition carefully, as it does cause disruption, and be ready for home addition costs which, like those for a sunroom, will depend on its size and type.
