As we head into the last half of summer, the spring real estate market has run its course, and one thing is for sure: home selling in the Carolinas has stabilized. Just one short year ago, the inventory was at a standstill, but new developments are popping up all over South and North Carolina, shifting dynamics to a buyer’s market.
That has many homeowners asking what the home addition ROI is for a sunroom and whether it is a good move to make to fall in love with their homes again, instead of listing.
Those looking to enjoy all that’s great about the outdoors without those things that aren’t so much are considering the question, “What adds more value – a deck, screen porch, sunroom, or covered patio?”
Understanding Return on Investment (ROI)
ROI stands for “rate of return on investment,” and it measures the value or financial benefit that a homeowner will receive at resale when compared to how much they spend. For home improvements, ROI often includes two types of value:
- Financial ROI – The increase in your home’s resale value
- Lifestyle ROI – The everyday enjoyment, comfort, convenience, and functionality you gain from the improvement you make
While some projects return a larger percentage of their cost at resale, the true value of an outdoor living space comes from the years of enjoyment, comfort, and functionality it adds to your home.
The best investment isn’t always the one with the highest resale percentage; rather, it is the one that fits your long-term goals and lifestyle. Overall, what really matters, however, for ROI ultimately, no matter what you choose, is the quality and longevity of the structure itself.
Decks- Affordable Outdoor Living
When it comes to outdoor living spaces and improvements, one of the most common upgrades homeowners choose is a deck. A deck is one of the best additions you can make for both functionality and resale.
It is the lowest starting investment of the bunch, and it adds amazing entertaining space. Decks are also easy and quick to construct; they offer flexible designs, and they can fit in any space.
The downside of a deck addition, however, is that they tend to require a lot of maintenance, such as pressure washing, staining, and coating. Also, due to the high climate exposure, they have to withstand some pretty harsh conditions.
Lastly, unlike other outdoor living additions, they have a limited season to enjoy. Although North and South Carolina’s climate allows for more time outdoors, a deck will provide you with the shortest enjoyment time.
A deck is a perfect addition for first-time homeowners, limited property spaces, and those who don’t want to finance a huge investment. They make a great area to sit outside and enjoy your backyard or scenery without breaking the bank!
Screen Porches – Bringing the Outdoors Inside
A screened porch is an excellent way to enjoy being outside, rain or shine. Since they have a covered roof, you don’t have to run inside at the first sign of rain or when the mosquitoes are out.
They also help to extend the amount of time you can comfortably enjoy outdoors and increase visibility for young families to allow the kids to play, while still being watched. Even better, you get the benefits of natural sunlight, sunshine, and fresh breezes.
Unlike other outdoor living areas, a screen porch is not climate-controlled. That means you can enjoy entertaining outside, but the humidity or rain won’t make it very comfortable. A screened porch will help protect you from bugs, pollen, and biting insects, but it won’t do much to curb a scorching hot day!
Those who benefit most from a screen porch like to entertain outside, have somewhat limited property space, and already have the room and aesthetics for it to fit into the existing design. Screened porches make it better to be outside without the huge investment that can come from a home addition or a four-season sunroom build.
Covered Patios – Simple Protection With Big Appeal
Homeowners often invest heavily in their patio and patio furniture, but when the summer really heats up, they have to run indoors to escape the searing sunshine, heat, and humidity. A covered patio allows you to enjoy your outdoor space whether it is raining or sunny, and it also provides UV protection, which means you can skip the sunscreen.
Patios are quite arguably the best entertaining space for being outside. Add an outdoor kitchen, and you don’t have to run inside and out; you can sit with friends and family and just create memories. Outdoor patios help extend your gathering space, and you get to reap the benefits of natural sunlight, Vitamin D, and fall and summer breezes.
The biggest drawback of a covered patio is they don’t really create an enclosed living space. Mosquitoes and biting insects aren’t going to be deterred, which can ruin any good gathering. They are also not an area that will help to extend your time outdoors.
Sunrooms – Highest Lifestyle Upgrade
Four-season sunrooms provide an outdoor space with high visibility, while also being climate-controlled. Sunrooms offer bright natural light and beautiful breezes when the screens are up. Four-season sunrooms also have additional living space, increasing your home’s overall value.
Once more, a beautifully designed sunroom will help to make a home more desirable on the home selling market. That will likely also drive up offers and competitiveness.
Three-season sunrooms also offer additional functional living space. They don’t, however, have climate control year-round. While four-season sunrooms tap into your HVAC system, three-season rooms do not. A four-season sunroom will extend your comfort all four seasons, while a three-season sunroom only extends to three.
The ROI of a sunroom depends on things like whether you invest in energy-efficient windows and upgrades to lower your utility bills monthly. They also allow you to enjoy natural sunlight, which will increase your health, up your happiness, and help you commune with nature, and all of the benefits that come from it.
Which Projects Add the Most Value?
The question about which one adds the most value really does depend on many factors, including the wishes and goals of the homeowner. Not everyone wants to add something that will require years’ worth of payments, a lot of disruption, and the potential to out-price their home for the neighborhood. In general, these are the advantages for each:
- Deck – lowest cost
- Covered patio – outdoor entertaining
- Screen porch – bug-free relaxation
- Sunroom – additional living space
- Four-season sunroom – highest year-round enjoyment
Factors That Affect Resale Value
Above all, what you choose should really fit your goals and objectives. Those who are looking to love their homes again don’t need to invest a ton to enjoy a gathering space. In the end, the value of an addition depends on things like:
- Construction quality
- Permits
- Engineering
- Materials
- Design
- Matching existing aesthetics
- The professionalism of the installation
- Local real estate market demand
Don’t Forget About Lifestyle Value
Not everything comes down to money. In a post-COVID world, people value time spent with friends, family and being outside, and the health benefits that you can derive from natural sunlight and landscape.
If you want to enjoy an afternoon watching the kids outside playing, a deck might be sufficient. If you want to add a functional living room onto your house, then a four-season sunroom might be it. The key is not to get too hung up on home value ROI when deciding.
At the heart of an addition is your ability to enjoy it, long before you reap the benefits of return on investment at selling.
Which Option Is Right for Your Home?
Whether you want to build a deck or a sunroom, the key is to make sure that your investment is sound. Most outdoor living projects, when done correctly, have a high ROI both financially and enjoyment-wise.
The key is to find a reputable contractor like Express Sunrooms of the Carolinas to help you build the outdoor structure of your dreams, whichever that may be. Contact us today to see if you qualify for our zero-down financing, and let’s get started!
