3-season rooms are popular because they create the quiet, tranquil getaway only steps outside your back door. They are much more affordable than adding an additional room to your home. They are also guaranteed to provide insect-free enjoyment in the great outdoors!
- They create the quiet, tranquil getaway only steps outside your back door.
- Much more affordable than adding an additional room to your home.
- Insect-free enjoyment in the great outdoors – guaranteed!
A 3-season sunroom or screen room is a great addition to your home that can help you get the most out of your outdoor living space. A 3-season room lets you enjoy being outside but with the added protection against things like bugs, the hot sun, and other elements. It also allows you the ability to control the conditions of your outdoor space. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional design and build company, this project will give you and your family a beautiful place to spend time.
Why are 3-season rooms so popular?
A growing number of people are choosing to forgo the traditional lake property and putting their focus on making their backyard their retreat. These types of rooms can be designed to make it feel like you are still sitting outside… but more comfortably. This can create the quiet, tranquil getaway only steps outside your back door. They create added value to your home and are much more affordable than a full addition.
What is the difference between a 3- and 4-season room?
A 3-season room can be built on a properly supported deck. It is attached to your home but is not calculated as adding square footage to your home’s footprint. A 3-season addition should not have insulation to allow for adequate ventilation.
A 4-season room will be built on a grade beam foundation. It is calculated as part of your home’s square footage and will have heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
What type of 3-season rooms are there?
- The most basic is the wood constructed room with bug screen to close it in completely.
- A glass sunroom will be constructed with aluminum components and have glass walls that may or may not open. These may also have solid panels for privacy.
- The most flexible style is the custom-built room with vinyl slider windows. This type of room allows you to customize the look to fit the style of your home and your taste in finishes. It can have a deck floor to make it feel like you are outside or a solid floor to make it feel more like an extension of your home.
What are some of the concerns when deciding to build your first 3-season room?
Some people do not desire the “greenhouse or glasshouse” look that is often promoted at DIY stores or with several local contractors. What they really want is the room to be cottage-like in appearance and seamless with their house – especially the roofline. To get the seamlessness with the house we strongly recommend a 3D design be developed so you can visualize the outcome. There are so many things to consider when adding onto your existing home, you don’t want to be rethinking the plan after your project has started.
Where to begin?
- Assess what you already have:
- How much space can you devote to the project – yard layout?
- What existing infrastructure can be adapted to the benefit of the project?
- Will your existing deck support the added weight?
- How much can you afford to spend on the renovation?
- What are your options?
- Check out local zoning bylaws – you will need a permit before you begin construction and there are a number of things that you will need on the permit application including a site plan, construction drawings, elevation drawings, etc.
- Winnipeg Property and Planning & Development website has more information
- Design options – a deck design company can assist you with both standard and custom options best suited to your yard and budget.
- Prefab or custom-built – many companies offer prefab or kit structures that you can install in a DIY method or you can have the entire project completed for you by a professional deck builder.
- Check out local zoning bylaws – you will need a permit before you begin construction and there are a number of things that you will need on the permit application including a site plan, construction drawings, elevation drawings, etc.
- Things to consider:
- You will need a foundation capable of supporting the sunroom structure. The installation of helical piles is an excellent option to support the weight of the walls and glass.
- Your tie-in to the existing house is a very important part of ensuring your house and sunroom remain structurally sound and weather resistant. Choosing the location on your house for the sunroom involves looking at inside layouts and things like sun exposure, yard space, existing structures like swimming pools, etc. The choices made in the planning phase can make or break the project – you want to end up with a structure that is accessible, functional and is an asset to your lifestyle.