In most cases, homeowners who need extra living space choose to engage a contractor to construct either a whole new wing onto their home or a new room off the existing one. Learn more about sunrooms additions in Elmsford, NY.
On the other hand, when homeowners see the prices general contractors quote for stick-built homes, they may get alarmed. It’s safe to assume that you’ll spend more than $100,000 on a custom-built extension, and most of them will cost much more than that. The sunroom is a popular choice because it combines the best of both worlds, an indoor and outdoor room. A sunroom is an enticing choice since its price is often far lower than a conventional stick-built extension.
Understanding a Sunroom’s Function
Often having as much as 80% of its wall space devoted to glass, a sunroom is a leisure space connecting outdoor and indoor living spaces.
Unless otherwise specified, a sunroom must not be wired for power or have its HVAC system passcode in most areas. Most modern sunrooms are wired for electricity; some even have additional heating and cooling systems.
- The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) states that no more than 40% of the wall area in a climate-controlled dwelling may be devoted to windows.
- Unlike garages, sunrooms seldom have a complete basement below them. Thus they are often constructed on floating concrete slabs with thin perimeter foundations.
- Room expansions, house additions, and other bump-outs made of wood, concrete, glass, home sheathing, and shingles are all examples of stick-built construction.
In climates where cellars are typical, stick-built expansions may have one. Complete plumbing and HVAC hookups are also required for a legitimate room expansion. The local tax assessor will note an increase in the value of your home due to this sort of addition because of the increased square footage.
Fabricated Patio Enclosures
Prefabricated kits consisting of steel, aluminum, or fiberglass structure elements and glass panels are the most typical means of constructing a sunroom in modern times.
Prefabricated sunroom extensions are put together in a jigsaw-like method, often by trained professionals. The fact that they are kits does not imply that assembly is a simple DIY endeavor. However, experienced homeowners have successfully installed them. A prefab sunroom is planned and manufactured off-site. After that, the flat-packed boxes containing the individual parts are sent to a common freight carrier to transport.
