Most homeowners think of decks and patios when planning an outdoor home renovation project. Sunrooms are a desirable alternative for homeowners wishing to add more living space since they let you link your home’s interior and outside spaces while increasing your home’s footprint. These additions also offer other benefits that aren’t as obvious. In this read, we’ll look at how a second floor sunroom addition can improve your experience at home.
1. You’ll Invest in Other Outdoor Features
A second floor sunroom addition is an attractive and functional feature for any home. It allows you to enjoy the outdoors while staying indoors. If you’re considering adding a second floor sunroom addition as part of your renovation project, you’ll want to think about how to create an outdoor space that’ll enhance and complement the sunroom’s characteristics.
A balcony goes well with a sunroom. It can serve as the link between your outdoor and indoor spaces, allowing you to enjoy both. You can use the balcony to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful view while sipping your favorite cup of coffee or cocktail. Consider adding a few comfortable outdoor furniture pieces to make it cozy.
You can also add a deck with your sunroom. A deck offers additional outdoor space for relaxation and entertaining. Introduce a few potted plants or small trees to make the space feel cozier and more natural. Consider adding a patio below your second-floor sunroom if you want a more formal outdoor entertainment area. A patio is perfect for hosting barbecues, parties, and other social events. Add chairs, a dining table, and an outdoor fireplace to give your patio a warm and welcoming ambiance.
If you enjoy gardening, consider creating a garden underneath your second-floor sunroom. Whether you plant flowers, vegetables, or herbs, a garden is a great way to introduce natural beauty to your outdoor space and create a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. Add ornamental elements like sculptures, trellises, or fountains to make your garden more unique.
If you love cooking and entertaining guests, combine your passions by building an outdoor kitchen. Install a pizza oven, a grill, and other appliances to prepare meals as you interact with guests and admire the beautiful view from your sunroom. With an outdoor kitchen, you can host gatherings without constantly going in and out of your home. To make your outdoor kitchen more functional, you can add comfortable seating, such as bar stools or a dining table.
If you have the funds, adding a pool will complement your second floor sunroom. It’ll allow you to cool off during the hot summer months. You can enjoy the view of your pool from your sunroom. Add landscaping and decorative elements such as diving boards, slides, or waterfalls to create a unique pool space. Take it further and add a hot tub if your budget allows.
You can hire a home siding service to revamp your home’s exterior. Siding that looks worn can take away from the visual appeal of your new sunroom. You can match the siding’s color to that of your sunroom.
2. You’ll Come to Love the Sun
Natural light will always be superior to artificial lighting. Natural light can help keep your home warm in the cold winter without breaking the bank. There are other benefits of having increased levels of natural light in your home. If you’ve been thinking of introducing nature indoors, a sunroom will allow you to grow a small garden or a few house plants without worrying about limited sun exposure.
Your indoor garden or house plants will be better protected from the elements, allowing them to thrive. Make the most of your sunroom’s natural light to make those pothos and tomato plants grow like never before. Having constant access to the sun, even when it’s cold outside, also offers plenty of health benefits for you and your family.
These benefits include increased levels of vitamin D, improved mood, lower blood pressure, and an improved circadian rhythm, leading to better sleep quality. A sunroom will improve your overall quality of life in your home. You’ll become happier, healthier, and well-rested over time.
A second floor sunroom addition will allow you to take advantage of home solar energy, as the roof offers a great location for installing solar panels. An 11′ by 12′ sunroom can hold enough panels to produce 1,980 watts of power, while a 20′ x 20′ sunroom can hold enough panels to produce 6,000 watts of power, significantly cutting your monthly electric bill. The best part is these panels won’t reduce the quantity of natural light entering your sunroom.
3. You’ll Be Happy You Customized Your Home
Customizing your home with the help of custom home building companies offers several benefits. If moving isn’t an option, a sunroom offers a solution for a growing family. If you enjoy painting or crafting but don’t have a space for your tools, a second floor sunroom addition will provide you with all the room you need, with the added benefit of not having to put your supplies away every night. Thanks to a sunroom’s natural light and shelter, you can establish a permanent, year-round creative area.
If you have kids, you’ve probably told them to organize their toys in one room countless times. A sunroom offers an ideal playroom that will allow your kids to enjoy the outdoors while still playing with their toys indoors. Sunrooms can serve as a safe play space with the option to access your garden and close the room off at the end of the day.
If you’re one of the people who started working from home due to the covid 19 pandemic, then you know how hard it can be to find a space to concentrate. A sunroom installed by custom home builders offers the perfect solution, as it can serve as your home office. You can close it off for privacy, and with direct access to the garden, you’ll be encouraged to take much-needed breaks.
Love working out at home, but hate rearranging furniture to create space? Whether you choose Latin dancing, weightlifting, yoga, or a treadmill as your form of exercise, a sunroom can serve as your dedicated workout space. With the option of opening and closing windows or using climate control, you can make it a private and comfortable space to exercise. Installing a sunroom is quicker and more affordable than most traditional home additions. A sunroom costs between $10,000 and $70,000, depending on your needs and the features and amenities you want to include.
4. Your Insurance Could Go Down
Whether a second floor sunroom addition affects your home insurance rates depends on your insurance policy and the sunroom itself. If the sunroom is considered a home addition that increases the overall value of your property, then it could increase your insurance premiums. Higher home values translate to higher replacement costs in the event of damage or loss, requiring higher coverage amounts and, therefore, higher premiums. However, if the sunroom isn’t deemed a permanent structure and isn’t attached to your home’s main living area, it’ll have a minimal impact on your insurance rates.
If the sunroom meets specific safety and building code requirements, your home insurance agency may lower your insurance rates as it reduces the risk of damage or injury. Note that your home insurance company evaluates each situation on a case-by-case basis. Other factors may affect your insurance rates, such as your home’s location, age, and the type of insurance coverage you’ve purchased. When shopping for the best home insurance company, don’t forget to discuss any potential changes to your premiums if you add a sunroom to your home.
5. You Can Design the Sunroom Yourself
When considering a second floor sunroom addition, you can design it yourself. Start by establishing the use of your sunroom. You can use this addition for other purposes other than a sitting area.For example, it can serve as your home office, exercise room, or entertainment room. Determining how you’ll use your sunroom will set the tone for the rest of your design process.
Another important factor is how often you plan to use your solarium. A four-season sunroom will be best if you intend to use it year-round. This option has advanced weather-lock with interlock sashes, sleek door handles, and added security features. Four-season rooms include heating and cooling, allowing you to enjoy your sunroom year-round.
A three-season sunroom doesn’t typically include insulation, and the glass isn’t as energy efficient. The absence of insulation makes it unsuitable for HVAC system installation. The entry door between the sunroom and the house is made of durable material to prevent chilly from entering your home. It’s also a more cost-effective option since it doesn’t necessitate spending money on insulation.
Gable sunrooms are made up of two roof panels. These panels are supported by a central beam, giving them slopes in both directions that resemble cathedral ceiling features. If preferred, you can use screen walls in place of glass walls.
Consider hiring the help of a home design service. These services help homeowners design and plan their spaces. They’ll work with you to create a design that factors in your budget, style preferences, and functional needs. These professionals will also advise you on the best materials, color schemes, and furnishings to bring your design plan to life.
6. You Could DIY the Addition or Hire a Professional
After designing your second floor sunroom addition, you can DIY or hire a professional. While doing it yourself will save you money on upfront costs, it may not be the best route if you don’t have the experience. You also have to consider the cost of purchasing the tools for the job.
Working with a professional home remodeling service offers several benefits. The process of designing and constructing a sunroom is quite complicated. Professionals have years of experience working on similar projects. They’ll offer valuable insight into the latest design trends and techniques to ensure your sunroom is beautiful and functional.
Working with professionals can also save you money in the long run. They have established relationships with suppliers and contractors, which can result in cost savings for materials and labor. They can also help you avoid costly mistakes when designing and constructing a sunroom addition on your own.
Additionally, working with professional home addition companies can save you time. Designing and constructing a second-floor sunroom addition can be time-consuming, especially if you do it independently. You can save valuable time by hiring professionals who’ll complete them quickly and efficiently.
7. Your Property Value May Increase
A second floor sunroom addition will give you more living space and increase your home’s value and appeal to homebuyers. It does this in several ways. First, you’re adding to your home’s square footage, which increases its value. Most homes also don’t have sunrooms, so your property will stand out in the neighborhood, especially if you reside in a region with colder temperatures and minimal exposure to sunshine. Sunlight is important for human health.
A sunroom also enhances the aesthetic appeal of your property. Most homebuyers want homes with bright, open, and airy spaces with plenty of natural light, so adding a sunroom will increase your home’s appeal to buyers. These additions also offer a versatile space that you can use for various purposes, including a home office, a dining room, or a lounge area. They can also be adapted to other unique needs of a homeowner, making them attractive to potential home buyers.
A second floor sunroom addition will also add to the interest of your home’s curb appeal. It seamlessly integrates with your home’s architecture to create a unified look. Consult a home mortgage broker to find out how much adding a sunroom will increase your home’s value. Note that the local housing market will affect how much value a renovation will add to your home.
If you’ve been thinking of ways to refresh your home’s aesthetic, consider adding a sunroom. The benefits will offset the initial cost.