Get matched with top patio pros in Arlington, OR

Your maintenance needs revolve around the type of foundation you choose, as well as how you furnish or decorate it. Patios require little else other than the occasional hose-down, but decks and other wooden structures will require annual power washing and sealing. You may also need to restain the wood every two to three years.

Adding a solid roof rather than building a pergola or leaving the space open will make maintenance much easier. Without a roof, you will need to spend more time sweeping, washing, and covering your furniture to protect it from UV bleaching.

Yes, adding a sunroom can increase your home's value, with a return on investment (ROI) ranging from 20% for a screen room to 50% for a three- or four-season room. The amount of value added depends on the design. Fully insulated, temperature-controlled four-season sunrooms add the most value as they can be included in the home's total living space. In contrast, simpler structures like Arizona rooms or solariums typically have a lower return as they don't count as legal living space. A high-quality sunroom can also be an attractive feature for potential buyers, especially those who enjoy gardening. The value may also be higher in warmer climates where this feature is more sought after. When deciding, consider both the potential resale value and the personal value you will get from using the room.

A well-constructed and well-maintained sunroom can last as long as the rest of your house. If you build the sunroom to the same standards using the same quality materials as the house and perform regular maintenance to ensure the room stays in top condition, it can bring you decades of enjoyment.

A sunroom will add more value to your home than a deck, but with a much higher up-front cost. Depending on its construction and function, a sunroom may be counted as additional living space, while a deck is strictly an outdoor feature. Both will increase your home’s value, but the sunroom will have a much bigger effect.