As we head into the second half of the year and summer, the real estate market in South Carolina has slowed and balanced out. That is leaving many homeowners in Rock Hill, SC, considering whether they should love their home or list it.
Adding a sunroom or screened porch helps on two fronts; it adds functional space and increases equity. But which one is right for you, personally? That depends on many factors, both personal and economic.
Cost Comparison of a Sunroom vs. Screened Porch
Although costs vary according to the type, size, and scope of your screened porch or sunroom project, the average cost of a screened room starts at $2,000 if you are just adding screens to an existing patio.
The cost, however, goes up significantly for a new screened porch project. A three-season sunroom starts at about $7,900, and a four-season sunroom at about $18,000.
So, you can quickly see that a sunroom is more of an upfront investment than a screened porch. Over time, however, the ROI of a screen porch is 70-80% while a sunroom is 50-70%, so a screen porch tends to have a slightly higher return than a sunroom.
A Three-Season vs. Four-Season Sunroom
Sunrooms are not all the same. They differ in many ways, the main one being whether you want to extend your time outdoors to three seasons comfortably or if you want to add additional functional living space to use year-round.
A four-season sunroom has all the same features as a three-season sunroom, but it typically ties into your home’s HVAC system. That means you can use it all four seasons.
Arguably, a three-season sunroom is a great addition to enjoy the outdoors without all of the things that make being outside miserable, but it is not usually a space that you can comfortably use all year.
Comfort – Sunrooms vs. Screened Porch
As far as comfort is concerned, a screened porch and a three-season sunroom provide the same comfort from season to season. They offer privacy, a sectioned-off space for gathering and entertaining, and protection from scorching heat, stinging bugs and pests, and pollen (which, as anyone knows, can ruin any fun spring day!).
A four-season sunroom, however, provides more comfort all year-long. Since it taps into your home’s HVAC system, it is heated and cooled just as a home addition would be. It also provides a break from the humidity, all while enjoying your backyard scenery and natural light.
Bugs and Biting Insect Protection?
One of the biggest advantages of both a screened porch and a sunroom is that they provide protection from mosquitoes and other stinging insects! There is nothing great about bugs and mosquitoes outdoors.
A screened porch can be added to your existing porch to keep out bugs, while a three-season or four-season sunroom can do the same. In the arena of which is better, they both equally provide comfort from those things outside that are annoying.
Is it Spring Already — Pollen!
Those living in South Carolina know how terrible the spring pollen is. Both a properly screened porch and a sunroom can keep pollen where it should be, outside. They also both provide allergy sufferers a great reprieve when the pollen starts raining down like snow.
The major difference in comfort that sets a three-season sunroom and a four-season sunroom apart is that you can add windows to a sunroom to keep out pollen completely, while still maintaining comfort from the temperatures. When you have a four-season sunroom, you simply close things up, put on your air conditioner, and leave pollen out!
Property Values?
A screened porch and a sunroom both add value to your home in different ways. The rate of return for adding a screen porch is anywhere from 70% to 80%, which is one of the best additions you can make. A sunroom also has an ROI of anywhere from 50% to 70%, which is nearly the same. The major difference is that a sunroom will cost you less to enjoy time outside.
A three-season sunroom or four-season sunroom differs because they not only have a similar ROI, but if done correctly, a four-season sunroom will increase your square footage.
A four-season room will also make your home more attractive on the home-selling market if you do plan to sell. It can be used as a functional space for everything from a living room to a playroom to a workout room. So, overall, a sunroom is close to a major addition, without the extremely high price tag.
Maintenance
In terms of maintenance, both a screen porch and a sunroom are pretty maintenance-free. If installed correctly, they shouldn’t require anything more than regular outdoor cleaning. A four-season sunroom might command slightly higher maintenance because they are usually tied into the HVAC system of a home, which requires regular scheduled maintenance.
Energy-Efficiency – Which is Better?
In terms of energy-efficiency, a screen porch and a three-season sunroom won’t really do much but shade the adjoining room if planned properly. A three-season sunroom can provide a space for open air and breezes to limit the use of the HVAC throughout the year. It can also provide natural sunlight to lower your electricity usage.
A four-season sunroom can help to increase your use of natural light over electricity, and it can be opened with screens in the fall and spring instead of using the air conditioning. The type of windows that you choose for a four-season sunroom also matters. It might cost more to put energy-efficient windows in, upfront, but over time, it will save you greatly on energy costs.
Appropriate for North Carolina & South Carolina Climate
If there are two states in the nation that can benefit greatly from the addition of a screen porch and a sunroom addition, they are North Carolina and South Carolina.
Although slightly different in some areas due to forestry and beaches, North and South Carolina are areas that enjoy tepid temperatures year-round. They also have very few extreme days, whether that is hot or cold. That is why people tend to spend more time outdoors in these regions.
A screen porch or sunroom is an excellent way to increase your home value, make your home more attractive on the home selling market, and also allow you to enjoy the best of the climate, rain or shine.
So, Which One is Right For You?…
If you are considering building a screen porch, enclosing an existing porch, or a three- or four-season sunroom installation, we can do it all! Our thirty years of industry experience make us the perfect choice for all things outdoor living.
Why fight with house hunting, a competitive real estate market, and high interest rates by listing when you can fall in love with your home all over again? Contact us today to get started!
