Spring Is The Ideal Time To Consider a Deck-To-Sunroom Conversion

If you have an existing deck, springtime is the ideal time to consider a deck-to-sunroom conversion.

An outdoor deck is a great space to spend time in the summer. As the trend for indoor/outdoor living space continues to grow, your deck is a way to extend your home's living space outdoors. It's a great space to barbecue, enjoy dinner under the stars with your family, and entertain friends. Of course, as the weather gets warmer, enjoying the outdoors means dealing with the occasional bug flying into your cocktail. Then there are the hot days where sitting in the sun is uncomfortable, and of course, rainy days or cooler fall nights can mean you're stuck indoors.

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A sunroom is the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors in the spring, summer, and fall, and an existing deck is a great place to build them. A well-designed sunroom can create the perfect transitional space for comfortable indoor/outdoor living.

Let's explore the process and benefits of a deck-to-sunroom conversion to enjoy three-season, or even year-round outdoor living.

Why Should You Convert a Deck To A Sunroom?

While a deck is a great feature, a deck-to-sunroom conversion offers many additional benefits. A sunroom can add to your home's curb appeal and functionality and extend your time outdoors into the fall. Here are a few benefits a deck sunroom conversion can provide you and your family.

Multi-Functional Enjoyable Space

A sunroom provides additional space to meet any need, whether a workout room, private office, or simply a space to curl up with a glass of wine and a good book.

Increases Home Value

A sunroom increases your home's square footage, aesthetic beauty, functionality, and value.

Lowers Electric Bills

As a rule, sunrooms are open spaces filled with natural light. This brings lots of light into your home, reducing electric bills. It can also reduce heating and cooling energy consumption.

Adds Luxury to Your Living Space

Sunrooms are a great space to create and enjoy a beautiful garden year-round. Grow flowers, herbs, and vegetables right in your home!

Protection From Pests and Weather

Sunrooms are fully enclosed spaces with many windows and screens that allow you to enjoy the outdoors without dealing with bugs, allergens, and inclement weather.

Planning Your Deck-to-Sunroom Conversion

The planning phase is crucial when converting your deck into a sunroom. Your design-build professional will work with you to develop the best plan for your situation and budget. Here are some things to think about.

Functionality: How do you plan on using the space? It can be anything from an exercise room to a personal home office. Defining how you will use the space is critical before committing to a design.

Design: You have many design options available to you. Before you dive in, browse online and home magazines to create a file of ideas. Pictures can provide inspiration for the style, size, and design that best meets your needs.

Hire a Professional: Find a design-build specialist with experience in deck-to-sunroom conversion. An expert can help you design the perfect space to meet your needs while meeting all local building codes.

Type of Sunroom: Do you want to build a three-season, screened-in sunroom or a fully enclosed and insulated four-season room for year-round use. A four-season sunroom can offer you year-round enjoyment even during the coldest winter day.

Your Budget: You need to have a realistic budget for your project. While building on your existing deck can offer significant savings, a realistic budget can help your designer create the perfect space to meet your needs and offer suggestions for features and styles that meet your budget.

The Conversion Process

Your design-build professional will handle the permitting, design, and construction process. Some things your designer will take into account include:

Evaluating the Foundation

This is the first step your contractor will take. They need to determine if your existing foundation can handle the additional weight. If your deck's foundation is not solid, it will need to be replaced, or additional support may be necessary.

Analyzing the Attachment Style

How does your deck connect to your house? This is a critical consideration your contractor will check before determining the best approach. Here are a few attachment styles:

Attached: A raised deck attached to the back of your house is an excellent option for a deck-to-sunroom conversion.

Wraparound: A wraparound deck is often the same height as the main entrance, making it easier to convert a portion of the deck into a sunroom.

Elevated Decks: Elevated decks attach to the second floor of your home, so you'll need to decide if you want to place your sunroom on or under the existing deck. This can give you two levels of outdoor space; the deck and a sunroom.

Covered: A covered deck already has a roof. This can save you money on the build. You'll need to install glass on all sides and insulation. However, a covered deck is the least expensive and easiest option for a deck sunroom conversion project.

Inspect Your Existing Deck Materials

Next, your contractor will evaluate the structural material used to build your original deck to see if anything needs to be replaced. They will then assess your deck from a design standpoint to create an effective design.

Roof and Window Options

Do you want an insulated roof, a retractable one, or just an awning for a three-season sunroom? What about windows or skylights? Skylights can flood your space with natural light during the day and offer relaxing and stunning views of the night sky in the evening. Your contractor will also give you options for the number, size, and kind of windows for your sunroom.

Springtime is a great time to schedule a deck-to-sunroom-conversion project. You can enjoy the heat of the summer in your new sunroom and extend your outdoor enjoyment year-round. A sunroom is an excellent addition to any home. If you have an existing deck, a deck-to-sunroom conversion can save some money and time on your project. It's not only a great way to add functionality, but it's also a smart investment that will add to your home's value.

Are you in Greater Madison, Wisconsin, and looking for a deck-to-sunroom conversion? Call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. We can take your home to the next level!