Prefab Sunrooms: See the Light With This Informative Guide

Maybe the vision of sunbathing while still being in the comfort of an enclosed space has you sold on adding a sunroom to your home. But even once you’ve settled on a sunroom, you still have to decide if you want it built from the ground up or prefabricated and brought to you. By examining all the facts, you can make the right choice for your needs and wants. Read on to learn about what prefab sunrooms are and the pros and cons that come with them. 

What Are Prefab Sunrooms? 

Just from its name alone, you probably have the general understanding that a sunroom is a room that’s filled with sunlight. But before adding one to your home, you may be wondering more specifically, What is a sunroom? 

A sunroom is an enclosed extension of a home with many large windows that, by way of sunlight, brings an outdoorsy feel to the inside while keeping out potential annoyances, like bugs and the elements. Unlike a solarium or conservatory, a sunroom’s roof is made from the same material as the rest of the home. That being said, there are many styles of sunrooms. For example, some aren’t climate-controlled, meaning you can only enjoy them in certain seasons. Others are suitable for use all year long. 

Another distinguishing factor is how sunrooms are built—and this is where the term “prefab” comes into play. Prefabricated sunrooms (also known as prefab sunrooms) are manufactured in a factory and then delivered to your home to be assembled, rather than being built on-site.

Types of Prefab Sunrooms

Despite not being built from the ground up at your home, you can still choose a style of prefab sunroom that meets your needs and personal taste. 

Three Season Sunroom

Since a three season sunroom doesn’t have heating or cooling, you’ll likely only be able to use it for three seasons, depending on the climate where you live. Separated from the rest of the house by a sliding glass or French door, this type of prefab sunroom can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000 to build. 

Four Season Sunroom

Four season sunrooms are designed with the features that’ll allow you to enjoy your sunroom all year long. They have wiring and HVAC ducts, and even sometimes insulated windows, to keep the temperature stable. Because of the higher-quality materials used, this style of prefab sunroom typically costs more than a three season one. You can end up paying $25,000 to $80,000 or even more for a four season sunroom. 

How Much Do Prefab Sunrooms Cost? 

On average, sunrooms cost between $20,800 and $72,600. The exact figure will vary based on several factors such as your home’s location, cost of materials, and desired size of the sunroom. 

In comparison to sunrooms built on-site, prefab sunrooms are often significantly less expensive, especially if it’s being built from an existing structure like a patio or deck. Prefab sunroom kits range between $5,000 and $30,000. The specific cost will also depend on size, materials, customization, brand, and more. 

Pros of Prefab Sunrooms

Let’s now discuss some advantages of the prefab sunroom that might make it the right choice for you. 

Less Expensive 

Planning a home addition can be stressful when you’re on a budget. Prefab sunrooms can be a great option since they often cost much less than the traditional stick-built sunrooms. For this reason, many homeowners go the prefab route because it offers the best of both worlds—a beautiful sunroom for a budget-friendly price. 

If you’re looking for a simple yet stunning sunroom without fancy customization and have an existing structure to attach it to, you could potentially save thousands of dollars. 

Less Time 

If you find yourself counting down the minutes until you’re soaking up the sun in your new sunroom, you’ll be happy to know that the prefab sunroom can usually be assembled in just a few days. 

But this doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality. Prefab sunrooms are safely and efficiently built off-site. This often means lower labor costs, no delays due to bad weather, and your home remaining free from the mess that often comes with on-site construction. 

Cons of Prefab Sunrooms

No one can deny the beauty of a sunroom built from the foundation of a home. It affords you the total freedom to deck out your sun-filled space the way you want it. While there are still many aesthetically pleasing prefab designs to choose from, one common criticism of prefab sunrooms is the fewer design options that exist compared to the stick-build version. You may have to forgo some of your more specific aesthetic preferences if you opt for the prefab.

DIY vs. Hiring a Prefab Sunroom Pro

Once your prefab sunroom is manufactured and brought to you, you might be wondering whether you should hire a local sunroom contractor or finish the installation yourself. This will all depend on your expertise and comfortability. 

Some experienced DIYers may be able to successfully assemble a prefabricated sunroom kit for a fraction of what it takes to enlist a pro. However, if you’re willing to pay a bit more for some peace of mind, there’s nothing wrong with leaving the heavy-lifting to the pros.