What Is an Arizona Room?

Beat the heat with this add-on room

A freelancer working from her Arizona room
Photo: xavierarnau / E+ / Getty Images
A freelancer working from her Arizona room
Photo: xavierarnau / E+ / Getty Images
Highlights
  • Arizona rooms allow you to enjoy the outdoors while being protected from the elements.

  • These rooms can be built along with the home or added on later.

  • Arizona rooms are screened in and attached to the home, normally off the kitchen or living room. 

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Looking to enjoy all the benefits of an outdoor space without the bugs, direct sun, or exposure to the elements? An Arizona room might be just the thing you’re looking for. These sunrooms are a popular option in hotter climates and offer a comfortable way to enjoy the outdoors. Learn more about Arizona rooms and why they can be a great add-on to your home.

What Is an Arizona Room?

An Arizona room is a type of sunroom with a roof and mesh screens or windows. Arizona rooms are attached to the home, often off of the kitchen or living room, and they may have low partial walls in addition to mesh screens. In some cases, Arizona rooms may also have glass windows, although screens are far more common. Unlike covered patios, these rooms are constructed as an integrated extension of the home, usually in the same style as the rest of the house. 

Named after the state with often unrelenting heat, Arizona rooms were used as cooler places to sleep during the hottest parts of the year before the introduction of air conditioning. These days, these rooms are an extension of living space, often used for dining or relaxing.  

Benefits of an Arizona Room

A covered sunroom, like an Arizona room, can benefit homeowners in various ways.

  • Adds usable living space that can be used three or four seasons of the year, depending on location

  • Creates a customizable space that fits your lifestyle

  • Can be used as a playroom, greenhouse, dining space, or relaxation area

  • Guards against insects

  • Protects outdoor furniture from weather damage, fading, and debris

Arizona Room vs. Florida Room

If you’re looking to build a sunroom, you may hear the term Florida room instead of Arizona room. Like an Arizona room, a Florida room is a covered, screened-in sunroom. Both types of rooms may have glass windows, although they’re more often found in Florida rooms than in Arizona rooms. Arizona and Florida room costs, construction, and function are largely the same—the main difference is just in the name.

How Much Does an Arizona Room Cost?

An Arizona room overlooking nature
Photo: Dan Totilca / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

Adding on a sunroom costs an average of $22,000 to $73,000, depending on the sunroom size, location, and materials. Not sure who builds sunrooms like Arizona rooms? A local sunroom contractor can design and build the Arizona room of your dreams so you can begin enjoying the great outdoors with indoor comfort. Even better—a sunroom can add value to your home, so you can enjoy a significant return on your investment when it comes time to sell.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can air condition your Arizona room by extending your home’s existing HVAC system or adding a ductless mini-split system. Arizona rooms that have full windows rather than screens only are a better choice for air conditioning—screens will let the cold air out as fast as the air conditioner can make it. 

An Arizona room may or may not count toward your home’s square footage, depending on local regulations and the specifics of the room, but generally does not get included in the total square footage. In many locations, a room needs to be built to the same quality as the rest of the home, have an integrated heating/cooling system, and be habitable year-round to count toward square footage. 

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