While decks are a great entertainment space when the weather is nice, sunrooms can be enjoyed no matter the season. If your home is lacking the space for aFour Seasons Sunroombecause an existingdeckis occupying the perfect spot, there’s a simplesolution you may not have thought of — turn your deck into a four-seasonsunroom.It ispossible tobuild a sunroom on an existing deck, and it’s alsooften less expensive to do so! Maryland Sunrooms will work with you to transform your deck into a fabulous new sunroom the whole family can enjoy.
Why Convert Your Deck Into a Sunroom?
Most homeowners convert their deck into a living space so that space can be enjoyed all year long. An outdoor deck can usually be enjoyed only when weather permitsand otherwise sits unused. When you add a three-seasonor four-season sunroom to your home, this windowed space will allow you to enjoy the outdoors, even when it’s too hot, cold, rainyor buggy outside.
You’ll enjoy many additional advantages when youconvert your deck into a sunroom, including:
- Extra room:Unlike a deck, a sunroom is considered an extra room added onto your home. It expands the footprint of your house without you losing yard space.
- Added value:Converting a deck into a sunroom increases your home’s value, as the extra square footage to the property adds an additional living space.
- Protection from the elements, insects, and pollen:Many sunrooms have screens and lots of windows, so you can enjoy the outdoors without being at the mercy of the wind, rain or sun.
- Expansion of your entertainment space:Whether it’s a summer barbecue or a holiday party, sunrooms make the perfect entertainment space in the heat of summer and the chill of winter.
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Planning Your Sunroom
During the planning phase, you’ll need to determine what it will take to convert your deck into a sunroom. Start this conversion process by determining whether modifying or completely replacing your existing deck is the better choice. Developing your deck conversion plan with a contractor can help.
Follow these steps forhow to assess your deck for a sunroom:
1. Evaluate the Foundation
The foundation is the first thing that needs to be checked.If your deck does not have a foundation, it will most likely need one to support a sunroom addition. Because the sunroom will add extra weight to your deck’s foundation and support structures, the foundation will need to be solid without any deteriorating pieces.
If the deck is newer or has a good foundation, you can just build on it. However, if your deck is old, it may be time for an upgrade anyway.Determine whether your deck’s foundation could use an update by checking for whether it needsadditional structures like joists, carrier beams, piers or footers.
Besides making sure the deck’s structure is sturdy, you must ensure the foundation is level. Leveling and sanding your deck’s foundation is an important step for starting your sunroom on an even surface. Starting your sunroom project with a sound foundation will help the rest of the construction process go smoothly.
2. Analyze the Attachment Style
Take a look at how the deck is attached to your house, if at all. Make sure any fasteners are securely in place to ensure the sunroom is properly supported. You may want to strengthen any existing fasteners as an extra safety measure.
Assessing the attachment style of your deck also helps you decide how to add your sunroom. Here are the most common deck attachment styles and how they could accommodate a sunroom:
- Attached:Attached decks are excellent candidates for sunroom conversion because they are already raised and attached to the side or back of the house, allowing for easy access. Building a sunroom on a raised deck is fairly straightforward and typically only involves adding a roof and sides to form an enclosed structure around the space.
- Wraparound:Most wraparound decks are built at the same height as the main entrance to the house, making it easy to turn one into a sunroom. Although many wraparound decks circle the entire first level of a home, you can convert only a portion of your wraparound deck into a sunroom and leave the rest of the deck uncovered. This option allows you to enjoy both a sunroom and open-air section of your wraparound deck.
- Elevated:If you have an elevated deck that attaches to the second level of your home, your best option might be to add a sunroom underneath your deck. By putting in some patio flooring and adding some glass or screen panels, you can transform the space under your elevated deck into a comfortable sunroom. Along with providing you with additional outdoor living space, this option is an affordable alternative to adding a completely new room to your house.
- Covered:A covered deck might be the easier type of deck attachment to turn into a sunroom. Because the deck already has a roof, all you need to do is add insulated glass sides to make it an all-weather living area.
3. Inspect the Materials
Once you’ve considered your deck’s foundation and attachment style, take a closer look at the materials the deck is made out of. From a structural standpoint, you’ll want to evaluate the materials’ condition and if anything needs to be replaced. From a design standpoint, you’ll want to consider whether the sunroom’s layout could incorporate any of the materials.
If you’re uncertain about how to properly assess your deck, letMaryland Sunrooms help. We’re a full-service remodeler withthe experience to check your footings and structures to determine whether we need to modify or completely replace your existing deck as the foundation for your new sunroom. We’ll also get all the proper permits for the construction process to ensure the job gets done correctly.
How to Choose the Right Type of Sunroom for Your Deck
Now that you know the structural basics of building a sunroom on a deck, it’s time to talk about style. Choosing the best sunroom style for your deck includes considering how often you want to use the room and which style best fits your home’s current structure. Try to pick a sunroom style that will align with your home’s roofline and meet your expectations for seasonal use.
Ifyou’re ready to start designing your outdoor living space, consider these deck sunroom ideas:
- Three-season room:As one of the most common types of sunrooms, a three-season room is a great choice for creating a room you can use for most of the year except for the coldest months. While a three-season room has the siding and ceiling to keep you cool during the summer, it does not have the insulation to keep you cozy in the winter. However, the connecting entryway to the home has more insulation to keep the cold from getting indoors during the winter.
- Four-season room:A four-season room is suitable for year-round use, even during the harshest of winters. A four-season room often includes energy-efficient glass, extra insulation, and an HVAC system to provide heating and cooling. Thanks to these weather-resistant qualities, you can always be comfortable in a four-season room regardless of the elements.
- Glass:This type of sunroominvolves covering the whole structure in glass paneling and roofing. Accomplishing this look requires using either segmented glass or polycarbonate. Because a sunroom made entirely of glass is essentially a mini greenhouse, this style is particularly popular among those who enjoy growing plants indoors.
- Gable aka Conservatory style:The defining feature of a gable sunroom is the structure of its roof. A gable sunroom has two roof panels, one support beam, and walls made from glass or screen paneling. This design creates a beautiful rustic, cottage-like look.
- Studio:Also known as a shed,a studio sunroomcan be constructed with screen or glass walls. A studio sunroom features a single-pitch roof that slopes away from the house, helping the space to feel even more private and secluded.
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Design and Installation
Converting your deck into a sunroom involves framing in the deck area with walls that can support large windows and a roof, creating an additional room in your home. However, this extra space gives you the opportunity to bring the outdoors in and add a stylish addition to your house. While it should be consistent with your home’s current style, many details will require your careful thought and attention, such as choosing:
- Roof
- Color
- Doors
- Windows
- Skylights
- Other architectural and design elements
At Maryland Sunrooms, we’re dedicated tocustomizing your design to perfection. Whether you want to maintain some of the outside deck area or cover it entirely with a larger sunroom, we’ll ensure your vision is carried out. We can even mask visible pilings with elegant masonry or columns to ensure your sunroom is free of the old deck look.
Before beginning the installation process, you’ll receive a digital rendering of what your new living space will look like imposed on your home, plus all its inside and outside features. If there’s anything you’d like to change, we’ll work with you until your sunroom’s design is exactly what you want.
During the installation process, we’ll take care of permits and scheduling inspections. All the blueprints for your converted sunroom will be confirmed and stamped as guaranteed to be structurally sound.
Furnishing Your Sunroom
Then comes the fun part. The final phase of converting your deck into a sunroom involves adding your own distinct style, including furnishings and accessories. There’s no wrong way to use your sunroom’s additional space. Whether you wish to make it an extra dining area or a comfortable sitting area, the choice is yours. Many homeowners add soft throw pillows, blankets and shades to ensure optimal comfort.
Contact Maryland Sunrooms to Begin Converting Your Deck Into a Sunroom
If you’re ready to get your new sunny space underway, it’s time tocontact Maryland Sunrooms today. We’re the Four Seasons Sunroom franchise for homeowners throughout Maryland. Our sunroom specialists will happily walk you through the process of converting your deck into a lovely new sunroom.
