A sunroom addition delivers a 60 to 80 percent return on investment for typical home owners. As a design build contractor, we help homeowners throughout the Hudson Valley undertake home additions that keep the unique character of their home while enhancing its usability and boosting its value. Learn how we can help you plan the perfect sunroom addition.

Kit  or  Custom?

Kit Sunrooms  vs. Custom

Sunrooms should always be installed by a professional contractor. Even if you are a skilled weekend warrior, this is a big job. The addition must be up to code, and must fit tightly to the home so air does not leak out.

While we used to install sunroom kits, we’ve made the change back to traditional framing for this home addition. After years of installing the kits, we decided that, while kits were faster to assemble, they didn’t really save the homeowner money. Additionally, a custom build allows us to match the design of the sunroom to the home and ensure a tight fit, conserving energy. Sunroom kits may sound like a simple solution, but the benefits of custom design build far outweigh the kit and the price is virtually identical.

Sunroom Planning

When planning a sunroom, it’s essential that you integrate the room into the overall design of your home. If the sunroom is contemporary but your house dates from the 1800s, this could turn off buyers down the road. You’ll enjoy more flexibility if you install blinds or shades that allow you to mediate the light.  While some home owners want to maximize their view at all times it is good to have the option.

Sunrooms are versatile additions. Gardeners make the most of the sun exposure, while others use the rooms for yoga, entertaining, dinner parties, or spending time with loved ones. While your imagination is the limit of how you use the room, avoid making decisions that are so extreme they would complicate your ability to sell the home. For instance, you might love the idea of a home office in the sunroom, but this specialized purpose can turn off home buyers who aren’t planning to work from home.

Sunrooms are three or four-season rooms, depending on whether you choose screens or windows. A screened-in sunroom will cost less, though it is limited. For Orange County homeowners, we recommend four-season sunrooms equipped with energy-efficient windows to mediate heating and cooling costs.

Considerations

It’s smart to add heating and cooling features that keep the room comfortable. An overhead fan circulates air, and venting skylights or sliding doors allow you to let in a breeze. You can always extend your home’s cooling system into the sunroom, although this gets pricey. Complete the sunroom with fade-resistant furniture and light paint colors.

Sunrooms get the most sun when they are aligned to true south, but this is not always practical. You can go 30 degrees to either side of due south and still retain 90 percent of the benefits.  A contractor can help you situate the sunroom so it works with the flow of your home and truly enhances the space.

Learn more about custom sunrooms from Kehoe Kustom,  contact us today !