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What homeowner doesn’t dream of having a sunny spot to kick back and relax, all while being within feet of conveniences like their kitchen and bathroom? A sunroom provides all that and much more. It’s a great place for gathering, for enjoying the outdoors without being bothered by the elements and even for growing plants indoors. But the average sunroom cost can be prohibitive for some homeowners.

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With that in mind, there are options for individuals who want to enjoy the benefits of a sunroom, but are working with a tighter budget. Here is everything you need to know about sunroom costs and what to look for.

Sunrooms vary from a simple, prefabricated add-on, to a fully insulated addition to your home in the form of a four-season room. The two main types of sunrooms are three-season and four-season. A three-season sunroom is a fully attached structure with access to your existing home, but without insulation. The average three-season room will cost between $10,000 and $40,000.

A four-season sunroom is an addition to your home that’s fully insulated and often includes plumbing, HVAC and electricity. According to Home Guide, these premium structures cost between $25,000 and $80,000.

Most contractors will quote you a price that’s based on the square footage of the sunroom you’re hoping to install. This price will likely include both labor and materials, but it’s a good idea to clarify exactly what’s included before getting started.

The average sunroom cost per square foot is $80 to $230 for a three-season room, and upwards of $200 to $400 for a four-season room. The table below will give you an idea of possible sunroom prices by square footage.

There are several different types of sunrooms to decide between when considering adding a sunny spot to your home. We’ll break down each type below, including costs for each.

Most prefab sunrooms are made of aluminum or vinyl. For the most part, these sunrooms cost a bit less than traditional ones, and are ready to assemble as soon as they reach your home. If you choose a prefab sunroom, the installation costs combined with the cost of the kit itself could be between $5,000 and $30,000.

A solarium is an all-glass enclosure that’s affixed to your home. It offers no climate control or insulation, but makes a great place for plants to thrive year-round. The average solarium price ranges from $30,000 to $75,000.

A three-season sunroom is often a comfortable place to hang out anytime except for winter. These types of rooms lack insulation, electricity and HVAC controls. You’ll save money by choosing a three-season room over a four-season room, with the average three-season room costing, without heating and cooling, between $10,000 and $40,000.

Of all the different types of sunrooms, a four-season room is the closest to a full, conventional home addition. These rooms are often open to the rest of your home, rather than having to gain access through a single door, which is a common feature in three-season rooms. Additionally, a four-season room may have its own thermostat and electrical wiring. A luxurious addition like a four-season sunroom typically costs between $25,000 and $80,000.

A conservatory is similar to a solarium, in that it’s often an all-glass enclosure. However, these rooms are more similar to a four-season room in nature, since they’re often temperature-controlled and have electricity. The average cost of a conservatory can range from $50,000 to $150,000.

An atrium is an attractive indoor space with a glass roof. The average price of an atrium will vary based on how extensive the roof work needs to be, but expect a range from $6,000 to $20,000.

The cost to install a sunroom generally runs about one-half to one-third of the material costs. However, that number rises quickly if your plans include HVAC costs, roofing costs or electrical work costs. That’s why the sunroom installation cost of an atrium is higher in comparison to that of a three-season room, where no HVAC or roofing work is needed.

A good range to expect for sunroom labor cost is between $5,000 and $20,000, depending on how intensive your job will be.

If you’re hoping to add a sunroom to your home, chances are you’ve already done your research to determine if it makes sense for you and your needs. However, it’s worth mentioning a few pros and cons of these types of rooms. Of course, each type of sunroom has its own benefits and drawbacks, but there are a few considerations that are shared among these types of rooms. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Sunroom Contractors Free, No-commitment Estimates Find a Sunroom Contractor

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Sunrooms add a great deal of aesthetic and financial value to a home. The first thing you will need to consider, if you’re thinking about adding a sunroom, is what permits and approvals you might need.

In just about every case, you’ll need a permit from your city in order to begin work on your sunroom. But if you live in a community with a HOA, you’ll need approval from them, too. Other things to consider, when it comes to the decision of whether or not to add a sunroom, are the size and orientation of your home, whether there’s a logical place to build or append your sunroom and whether your budget can support the type of sunroom you’d like to build.

Just about any climate can support a sunroom. But if you live in a far northern climate, remember that a sunroom that’s not temperature controlled can end up making your home even more difficult to heat, if not properly planned for.

If you’re hoping to build a three-season room onto your home in a cold climate, consider adding a closing or sliding door as the only entry point. This will allow you to close off the room in the wintertime. A four-season sunroom may be your best option if you’re hoping to enjoy your sunroom all year long.

Christin Perry is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous outlets, including WeddingWire, The Knot, Parents and Verywell Family. When she's not working, Christin enjoys reading, gardening and hanging out with her husband and four young kids. She also loves to do small home improvement projects any chance she gets.

Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.