Adding an Atlanta Sunroom? Here’s All You Need to Know
Atlanta sunrooms are just so sunny. A gorgeous sunroom is the perfect spot to relax with a refreshing drink and a good book. Or visit with friends and family in this space, especially when it’s decorated with inviting furnishings. These versatile spaces connect your indoor sanctuary to the outdoors, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds while staying protected from unpredictable weather.
If you’re considering adding a sunroom to your home, it's important to learn about the available options. There are different types of seasonal sunrooms, materials to choose from, and budget considerations you should understand before starting your journey of adding an Atlanta sunroom to your home.
The Essential Atlanta Sunroom
A sunroom goes beyond its basic definition as an enclosed porch. It offers a versatile space that can serve many purposes. Sunrooms are often furnished with comfy seating arrangements resembling those in a living room or family area. They’re multifunctional havens that seamlessly transform from hosting social gatherings to providing a spot to enjoy cozy meals. Sunrooms typically have walls made entirely of glass windows or doors. This blurs the boundary between indoors and outdoors and allows you to feel surrounded by nature.
Kinds of Atlanta Sunrooms
Although we enjoy a temperate climate here in the Big Peach, we still get all four distinct seasons. Atlanta has an average annual temperature of 61 degrees. July is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 89 degrees, while January is the coldest, with an average low of 34 degrees. It rarely snows, with less than two inches per year. Take this into consideration when you choose the Atlanta sunroom design for your project.
Four-Season Atlanta Sunroom
Our favorite kind of Atlanta sunroom is the four-season sunroom. If you're looking for a space that can be enjoyed year-round, regardless of the season, a four-season sunroom is the way to go. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels provide breathtaking, uninterrupted views of the great outdoors. These sunrooms have thermally-engineered roofs and frames that can both heat and cool, ensuring that you can enjoy the sunroom's charm throughout the year. They’re designed to withstand cold winter temperatures with double-glazed glass that offers exceptional energy efficiency. Additionally, they come with thermally-engineered frame options, which offer a cost-effective solution for heating and cooling, no matter the climate.
Three-Season Atlanta Sunroom
A three-season Atlanta sunroom offers some protection from the elements. With sturdy windows, it can keep you dry when it rains… but it doesn't have central heating to maintain a consistent temperature. These spaces are comfortable for three seasons, but not the whole year—as the name suggests. So they're usually comfortable in spring, summer, and fall, depending on the weather in your area. However, in places like Georgia, where winters are mild and summers are hot, a three-season sunroom could be a good choice.
While three-season sunrooms are generally more affordable because they don't need as much insulation, they're not as adaptable as four-season options. When deciding which one to choose, think about how much time you want to spend in your new sunroom. This will help you determine which option suits your needs best.
Building-Attached Greenhouse
An attached greenhouse is a type of Atlanta sunroom that connects directly to another building, often a residence. It serves as a link between indoor living spaces and outdoor gardening. Unlike standalone greenhouses, attached greenhouses blend seamlessly with the main building, improving accessibility and energy efficiency. These attached greenhouses can generate significant warmth, especially when positioned strategically to capture the sun's path.
However, these greenhouses are specifically designed for plants. If not properly ventilated, the excess heat can have negative effects on both the greenhouse plants and the adjacent rooms of the home.
Screened Room or Porch
An Atlanta sunroom has walls made of insulated glass, creating an inviting additional living space in your home that offers beautiful views of the surrounding nature. A screened porch, on the other hand, has walls made of mesh or screening material. This design keeps bugs, leaves, and debris out while allowing you to enjoy the outdoors. It's comfortable when the weather is cooperative. Plus, when made with cost-effective materials, it’s an affordable alternative for those looking for a budget-friendly sunroom option.
Where to Place Your Atlanta Sunroom
The location of your Atlanta sunroom depends on a few important factors. Start by evaluating the available space in your yard, which will be the foundation for your new area. Usually, homeowners tend to choose the backyard or side-yard for this purpose, as many homes in Atlanta have ample space there. Plus, it's not uncommon for homeowners to later wish they had opted for a larger sunroom. That’s why it’s so important to select an area that offers maximum space.
Another crucial aspect to consider when designing your Atlanta sunroom is the amount of sunlight and warmth exposure you desire. If you prefer a shady and breezy environment, placing a sunroom on the northern side of your home would be a wise choice. On the other hand, a southern-facing sunroom will provide plenty of warmth and sunshine. It may also possibly require an air conditioning system, particularly in our warm climate.
As one would expect, situating a porch or sunroom on the eastern or western side of your home provides a balance of sunlight and shade. The eastern side allows for extra morning light, while the western side offers sun exposure during the afternoon and sunset hours.
Atlanta Sunroom Building Materials
To help you make an informed decision about the type of sunroom you want, it's important to understand the materials used in constructing a seasonal room.
Vinyl is the most popular material for sunroom frameworks. It’s not only cost-effective, but also requires minimal maintenance while providing excellent strength and insulation. Typically available in white, most vinyl structures have a "multiwalled" design reinforced internally with either aluminum or galvanized steel.
On the other hand, aluminum is more expensive and less insulating than vinyl. Despite this, it’s often used in sunrooms for its added strength, especially in the roofing structure. Some sunrooms combine aluminum for the roof framework with vinyl-coated vertical supports for improved insulation and aesthetics.
Wood is the most expensive option for structural sunroom materials—and is the ideal choice for screen rooms. Its composition allows for easy attachment of screen mesh, which is crucial for screen rooms that need to extend the existing roof. However, wood requires regular maintenance to keep it in good condition and preserve its aesthetic appeal.
Atlanta Sunroom Roof and Wall Ideas
Sunrooms, four-season rooms, and greenhouses often have walls and roofs made of either glass or polycarbonate. Glass roofs cost more but offer better clarity. When building a sunroom, consider the U-value of the glass or polycarbonate chosen, which measures how well it conducts heat. For energy efficiency, choose the material with the lowest U-value.
For glass walls, use silicone double-sealed, A-rated glass labeled as "tempered safety" to meet building code standards. Here are the top choices:
Double-glazed glass: This material is durable, insulating, and glare-reducing. It typically has a U-value of 2 to 2.5. In terms of efficiency, clear, solar bronze, and opal glazings are ranked from most to least effective.
Double-glazed glass with low-emissivity coating: Applying a "low-E" coating improves the glass's ability to reflect heat and UV rays, reducing the U-value to around 1.7 and enhancing energy efficiency.
Double-glazed glass with argon filling and low-E coating: Adding argon gas further reduces the U-value to about 1.48, making it a highly efficient choice.
For polycarbonate components, consider these options:
6-millimeter twin-wall polycarbonate: A popular choice for conservatory roofs, this has a U-value of 2.3.
20-millimeter and 25-millimeter twin-wall polycarbonate: These thicker options provide a stronger roof with better insulation, suitable for creating a room that can be used throughout the year. They typically have a U-value of 1.6.
Ways to Heat and Cool Your Atlanta Sunroom
Use opening skylights to let out heat when the room gets too warm.
Install insulating roof panels that are prefabricated and can be inserted between the glass roof panels. Look for panels with R-factors of R-16, R-24, or R-32, as higher numbers mean better insulation.
Design walls with multiple windows to optimize airflow.
Add ceiling fans to improve air circulation. Choose models with both forward and reverse speeds, which are suitable for both summer and winter seasons.
Incorporate roof shade tracks to support exterior sunscreens. These will effectively block excessive sunlight.
Select window treatments that can be easily raised or lowered. This will give you control over the temperature in the warmest or coldest areas of your sunroom.
Think about installing a compact gas wall heater in the area where you spend the most time during colder months. For extra luxury, you can also explore the possibility of radiant floor heating.
These strategies will help you create a comfortable and enjoyable sunroom all year round.
Typical Cost of an Atlanta Sunroom
In 2022, industry experts provided the following cost breakdown for sunrooms:
A standard Atlanta sunroom construction generally costs around $120 per square foot. For those looking for a high-end sunroom with premium features, the price can rise to approximately $300 per square foot.
If you're thinking about a basic three-season sunroom (without insulation), expect a budget ranging from $15,000 to $40,000.
For a four-season sunroom equipped with plumbing, insulation, and HVAC, the cost will vary between $25,000 and $80,000, depending on the specific customizations.
Choosing a pre-fabricated (pre-fab) sunroom, which offers faster assembly compared to a custom sunroom, typically falls within the range of $6,000 to $30,000. However, for more luxurious options, the price can go beyond these figures.
To Sun It Up
There are many benefits to adding an Atlanta sunroom to your home. Not only can a sunroom provide much-needed extra space, it’s the perfect spot for you to relax and enjoy the beauty of the outdoor world without being exposed to unpredictable weather. Whether you're looking for a place to entertain guests or just spend some alone time, an Atlanta sunroom can be the perfect fit—depending on your needs and budget.