Three-season porches can provide a welcome respite from the summer sun and autumn chill. However, without the proper heating, cooling, and utilities, even the most comfortable sunrooms can't provide year-round accommodation. Thankfully, there are several ways to convert your three-season porch into a beautiful and functional year-round addition to your home.

4 Steps to Turn Your Sunroom Into a Year-Round Living Space

1. Build a Foundation

Most three-season rooms don't require a foundation, but when converting a sunroom into a year-round living space, you'll want to install a foundation of either stone, cinder blocks, or brick. A foundation will help extend the life and safety of your new room by stabilizing your flooring from the rigors of daily use. Be sure to install insulation under floor joists and the sides of your foundation to reduce the amount of cold air entering from beneath your floor. 

2. Insulate Your Space

To keep your newly converted living space cool in the summer and warm in the winter, begin by removing interior drywall and installing a vapor barrier to limit condensation. Fiberglass insulation between joists layered with Styrofoam insulation and plywood will provide an extra layer of protection from the elements. Be sure to provide proper ventilation as well.

3. Route Electrical Wiring & Air Ducts

To run heating, cooling, and electricity to your new living space, you will need to add ductwork from your home's existing heating and cooling system and route electrical wiring from your home through an existing breaker box. Consider hiring a professional for assistance with electrical wiring, which can be dangerous for those who are not properly trained.

4. Match the Aesthetic of your Home

To maintain your home’s value and pair your existing home with the new room, consider aesthetic upgrades. Match your existing flooring, paint color, baseboards, crown molding, and interior doors to ensure the look and feel of your home flows naturally into the new space.

If you need a professional to convert your three-season porch into a room, contact the experts at E&K Construction in Garner, NC. With over a decade of experience in deck and sunroom installation, the friendly staff will exceed your expectations using maintenance-free materials, such as Eze-breeze®, at prices you can afford. Contact them today for your free estimate, or visit them online to learn more about their services.