Are you thinking about expanding the footprint of your home with a room addition? Building a three-season or four-season room is a fantastic option.
Also called sunrooms, there’s something serene and relaxing about these types of spaces. Most of the time they’re built with floor-to-ceiling windows which let in tons of natural light. It’s a great way to bring the outdoors inside your home. Some people also include skylights to let in even more sunshine.
Keep in mind that there are differences between three season vs. four-season rooms. So how do you know which one is right for your home? Let’s break it down.
What is a Three-Season Room?
A three-season room is built to be used in the spring, summer and fall (three seasons, hence the name.) It doesn’t have thermally-engineered framing and temperature control connected to the rest of the home. Depending on the climate where you live, this room could get cold in the winter.
Think of a three-season room as one level up from a screened-in porch. It’s not simply a porch with floor to ceiling screens — it has drywall and windows and doors with glass. It’s fully closed in from the elements, but a three-season room likely won’t have built-in temperature control like heating and air conditioning.
Some homeowners connect a three-season room to the rest of their home. Others decide to only have an entrance to the space from the outside.
What is a Four-Season Room?
A four-season room is built to be used year-round, no matter the temperature outside. That means in the coldest of winter or the hottest of summer, you’ll be comfortable in your room addition that has thermally-engineered framing and temperature control.
Also, four-season rooms usually have an entrance directly connected to the main home. They may also have a door to outside.
Think of a four-season room as a sunroom addition — adding a new room onto your home — that functions like your other spaces. It’s extra living space and added square footage. And what makes this a classic four-season room is the plethora of windows that allow for loads of natural light.
Three-Season vs. Four-Season RoomS: Which Should You Build?
When deciding between a three-season vs. four-season room, a lot of people think about budget. A four-season room costs more to construct because it’s made to be heated and cooled. A three-season room has a more basic construction with fewer bells and whistles.
For example, a four-season room is usually built with dual insulated glass panes to help prevent cold air from getting in (and heat from escaping) during winter. Three-season rooms often use single pane windows. And — you guessed it — dual insulated glass panes cost more.
Another factor to consider is how you plan to use the space. Do you want to be able to relax in your sunroom during the wintertime? If so, you should build a four-season room. If you’re OK not utilizing the space during the winter and only plan to use it in the spring, summer and fall, then a three-season room should suit you fine.
If you’re considering building a sunroom, start by weighing the pros and cons of a three-season vs. a four-season room. Based on your personal preferences, either option could be right for you. Reach out to us if you have any questions about both of these types of room additions.
Kitchen Renovations, Remodels, and Additions in Columbus, Ohio
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