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Sunroom Cost Calculator

By Taro Schenker | Updated February 18, 2026

Quick Answer: A sunroom addition costs $50–$175 per square foot installed. Screened porches run $20/sq ft material, 3-season rooms $40/sq ft, 4-season rooms $65/sq ft, and solariums $90/sq ft. A typical 200 sq ft sunroom costs $8,000–$42,000 total depending on type. Labor runs $8–$18/sq ft based on carpenter rates of $23–$33/hr nationally. Add $2,500–$8,200 for foundation, permits, plans, electrical, and HVAC. Enter your ZIP for local pricing.

Calculate how much a sunroom addition costs. Compare four sunroom types, enter your desired square footage and ZIP code to get a location-specific estimate with a full cost breakdown.

Sunroom Cost by Type

Sunroom TypeMaterial $/sq ftTotal $/sq ft200 sq ft Room
Screened Porch$20/sq ft$50–$75/sq ft$8,000–$15,000
3-Season$40/sq ft$75–$120/sq ft$15,000–$30,000
4-Season$65/sq ft$120–$175/sq ft$25,000–$50,000
Solarium$90/sq ft$150–$225/sq ft$40,000–$80,000

How Sunroom Cost Is Calculated

Total = (Material + Labor + Fixed Costs) × 1.20 markup
  1. Materials: Area × $20–$90/sq ft depending on type. Includes framing lumber, windows/screens, roofing, insulation, interior finish, and flooring as applicable.
  2. Labor: Area × 0.20–0.45 hr/sq ft × hourly rate × 1.5 burden. Solariums require the most labor (0.45 hr/sq ft) due to precision glass panel installation and specialized framing.
  3. Fixed costs: Foundation ($1,500–$3,000), permits ($500–$1,200), architectural plans ($0–$1,500), electrical ($500–$1,000), and HVAC ($0–$2,500). These vary significantly by sunroom type.
  4. Contractor markup: 20% for general contractor overhead, profit, and warranty.

Sunroom Type Comparison

  • Screened Porch: Open-air room with screen walls and a roof. No windows, no insulation, no HVAC. Usable when temperatures are comfortable (typically April–October in most US regions). Simplest foundation. Lowest cost option.
  • 3-Season Room: Enclosed room with single-pane or basic double-pane windows. Minimal insulation. No dedicated HVAC — relies on passive solar heating and ceiling fans. Comfortable spring through fall. A popular middle-ground choice.
  • 4-Season Room: Fully insulated addition with energy-efficient windows (low-E, double or triple pane), insulated walls and ceiling, and HVAC connection for year-round comfort. Meets building code as living space. Adds the most home value. Requires full foundation to frost depth.
  • Solarium: All-glass or mostly-glass room with glass roof panels. Maximum natural light. Often aluminum or steel framing for structural glass support. Most expensive due to premium glass panels and specialized installation. Best in mild climates or with climate control for extreme temperatures.

Fixed Cost Breakdown by Type

Cost ItemScreened3-Season4-SeasonSolarium
Foundation$1,500$2,000$2,500$3,000
Permits$500$700$1,000$1,200
Plans$0$0$1,000$1,500
Electrical$500$500$800$1,000
HVAC$0$0$2,000$2,500
Total Fixed$2,500$3,200$7,300$9,200

Formula Summary

Sunroom Cost Formula: Total installed cost includes materials (framing, windows, roofing, finish), burdened carpentry labor, and fixed costs for foundation, permits, plans, electrical, and HVAC, multiplied by contractor markup.

Total = (A × M + A × H × R × 1.5 + F) × 1.20

where A = sunroom area (sq ft), M = material cost/sq ft, H = labor hours/sq ft, R = hourly carpenter rate, 1.5 = labor burden, F = fixed costs, 1.20 = markup.

TypeMaterial $/sq ftHr/sq ftFixed Costs
Screened Porch$200.20$2,500
3-Season$400.30$3,200
4-Season$650.40$7,300
Solarium$900.45$9,200

Constants: Labor burden 1.5×. Contractor markup 20%. Trade: carpenters (SOC 47-2031), national mean $27.30/hr. Fixed costs vary by type and include foundation, permits, plans, electrical, and HVAC. Rates from BLS OEWS May 2024, 393 metros.

Carpenters Hourly Rates by Metro (BLS OEWS May 2024)

Metro25th %ileMean75th %ile
New York$27.07$37.32$46.01
Los Angeles$26.91$36.97$47.02
Chicago$24.11$38.11$51.92
Dallas$20.33$24.01$26.76
Houston$22.32$24.93$28.40
Washington$23.86$30.71$34.34
Philadelphia$24.09$32.62$36.99
Miami$20.50$24.57$27.85
Atlanta$22.03$24.84$28.25
Phoenix$22.72$28.74$34.55

Considering a Larger Addition?

Use Our Home Addition Cost Calculator →

Estimate full home addition costs for bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces.

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Estimates are for planning purposes only. Consult a qualified contractor for critical projects. Actual material requirements may vary based on site conditions, waste, and installation methods.

Pricing last verified: February 2026. Material prices vary by region, season, and supplier. Prices shown are national averages for planning purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a sunroom addition cost?
A sunroom addition costs $8,000–$80,000+ depending on the type and size. A screened porch (200 sq ft) runs $8,000–$15,000. A 3-season sunroom costs $15,000–$30,000. A 4-season sunroom runs $25,000–$50,000. A solarium (all glass) costs $40,000–$80,000+. The biggest cost drivers are the type (3-season vs 4-season), foundation requirements, and whether HVAC is needed. Per square foot costs range from $50 to $175.
What is the difference between a 3-season and 4-season sunroom?
A 3-season sunroom has single-pane or thin double-pane windows, minimal insulation, and no HVAC. It is comfortable spring through fall in most climates. A 4-season sunroom has insulated walls, energy-efficient double or triple-pane windows, full insulation (R-13+ walls, R-30+ ceiling), and HVAC connections for year-round use. A 4-season sunroom costs 50–80% more but adds more usable living space and home value.
Do I need a permit to build a sunroom?
Yes, virtually all sunroom additions require a building permit. Sunrooms are considered structural additions that affect the building footprint, foundation, electrical, and potentially HVAC systems. Permit costs range from $500–$1,200 depending on jurisdiction and project scope. A 4-season sunroom typically requires architectural plans ($0–$1,500) that must be submitted with the permit application. Allow 2–6 weeks for permit approval.
Does a sunroom increase home value?
A sunroom typically recoups 50–70% of its cost in added home value. A 4-season sunroom adds more value than a 3-season room because it counts as finished living space in appraisals. A $30,000 4-season sunroom might add $18,000–$21,000 to your home value. Solariums add the most value in warm-climate markets. Return on investment is highest in the South and Southwest where sunrooms are usable most of the year.
What is the best foundation for a sunroom?
The best foundation depends on the sunroom type. Screened porches can use a concrete slab on grade ($8–$12/sq ft). 3-season rooms typically use a frost-protected slab or pier foundation ($10–$15/sq ft). 4-season sunrooms need a full frost-depth foundation or insulated slab ($12–$20/sq ft) to meet building code. Solariums often require a reinforced slab to handle the glass weight. Foundation costs are the largest fixed expense, running $1,500–$3,000.
How do you heat and cool a sunroom?
The most common options are: extending existing HVAC ductwork ($500–$1,500), installing a mini-split heat pump ($2,000–$4,000, most efficient), adding electric baseboard heaters ($200–$600), or using a portable space heater (not recommended for daily use). Mini-splits are the best choice for 4-season sunrooms — they heat and cool efficiently without modifying existing ductwork. 3-season rooms typically do not need HVAC. Budget $0–$2,500 for climate control.