During the warmer summer months, there’s nothing better than sitting outdoors, a cool drink in one hand, and a good book in the other, as you relax, take in the views, and let the sun’s rays warm your bones.
As wonderful as sitting outdoors can be, the main downside is the fact that, for many months of the year, this just isn’t practical. Sitting outdoors in warm summer sunshine is perfectly fine, but you wouldn’t choose to do it during the winter, in freezing temperatures. This is where four-season sunrooms enter the fold.
Combining all of the comforts of the indoors, with the stunning views, natural light, and sounds of the outdoors, sunrooms are the perfect home accessory to bless you with the best of both worlds. For those looking to bridge the gap between nature and indoor living, these warming, calming, practical, and tranquil spaces are ideal.
But what is a four-season sunroom, is it the same as a three-season sunroom, and what benefits does it provide? Here’s a look at everything you need to know about four-season sunrooms.
What is a Four-Season Sunroom?
Sunrooms are essentially fully enclosed glass rooms or porches, which attach to your property and can be accessed from within the home via a door, and usually also from your garden via an exterior door.
These rooms, as the name implies, are designed to help people relax and enjoy the warm sunshine, without having to sit outdoors. They can vary hugely in terms of shape, style, and design. Because there are so many different styles and design of sunroom to choose from, they can vary hugely from product to product.
Typically, three-season sunrooms and four-season sunrooms are the most common. A four-season sunroom is designed to be used for all four seasons of the year: spring, summer, fall, and winter. These are encased with thicker, more heavily insulated glass in the walls and roof, and are thermally engineered to trap heat from within, and amplify the sun’s rays, even during the winter, to help raise the temperature further.
Sometimes known as ‘all-season sunrooms’ these rooms can be equipped with household furniture and accessories, to offer a warm, welcoming, relaxing space to sit and enjoy the view outside, without having to face the elements.
Four-Season Sunrooms vs Three-Season Sunrooms
More often than not, three-season sunrooms and four-season sunrooms are the most common examples of these particular products.
Three-season sunrooms are designed to be used during spring, summer, and fall. They’re not typically designed to be used during the colder winter months because they aren’t thermally insulated as efficiently as four-season sunrooms. They can sometimes be heated and/or cooled when hooked up to your home’s HVAC system, though some would argue that this defeats the purpose of a three-season sunroom in the first place.
Typically, the main reason why homeowners choose to enjoy a three-season sunroom is either because they live in a part of the country with very mild winters, or because they’re on a budget. Three-season sunrooms are cheaper than four-season sunrooms as they don’t need to be as well insulated.
Four-season sunrooms, however, can be, and are designed to be, used all year round. Whether you’re in the midst of a summer heatwave, or sub-zero cold snap in winter, you can comfortably sit in, and enjoy your four-season sunroom.
Four-season sunrooms offer superior heating and insulation, and can be hooked up to your home’s HVAC system as well, for added comfort during extreme weather. They’re usually costlier because they feature superior glass and insulation, which of course costs more to develop. The build quality however, is typically superior to that of a three-season sunroom.
Key Benefits of All-Season Sunrooms
If you’re thinking of installing a four-season sunroom onto your home, but are still unsure about whether it’s the right decision or not, the following should help you make up your mind.
Here are a few key benefits of all-season sunrooms.
Glorious Views
If you happen to be fortunate enough to have a stunning looking garden, a four-season sunroom will allow you to enjoy it in all its glory.
These sunrooms are deliberately designed to offer amazing views outdoors. The idea is to provide all the benefits of sitting outdoors, without actually doing so. You can therefore enjoy all the benefits, without the drawbacks.
As they are made almost entirely of glass, you can look out at your garden and take in the view, all from the comfort of your armchair or sofa.
Reduce Power Bills
Nobody likes spending more than they have to, especially on heating during the cooler months of the year. As four-season sunrooms are designed to be used all year, including the winter, they’re ideal for keeping bills down.
Four-season sunrooms are very well insulated and stay very warm, even in extremely cold temperatures. On top of that, when the sun does shine, the glass in the windows and roof can help to magnify the sun’s rays, meaning you can heat up the room via the sun.
More Space
Another very obvious benefit of having an all-season sunroom installed in your home, is the fact that it offers you extra space.
These rooms are basically an additional room on your property. You can hook them up to your home’s HVAC system, lay down the flooring of your choice, and furnish it with whatever furniture you like.
Whether you’re looking for a room to relax and unwind in, or even to use as an office or studio, four-season sunrooms are perfect.
Final Thoughts
So, are four-season sunrooms worth it? Absolutely.
These rooms are designed to be used year long, regardless of the weather. Heating them up and cooling them down is very simple, as is cleaning and maintaining them.
Despite being a little more costly than three-season sunrooms, many agree that they’re well worth the additional investment and with care and maintenance, can offer a lifetime of joy and happiness.
