If you enjoy spending time outdoors, taking in the views and soaking up the sun’s rays, fall and winter are probably not your most favorite of months. It gets dark much earlier, it turns wetter, and it turns colder. This is obviously not ideal for sitting outdoors. This is where sunrooms could be a great solution.
Sunrooms, also known as solariums, are basically home extensions that are designed to let in a great deal more daylight and provide unobstructed views outside. They’re often built from floor to ceiling glass, with many also having glass ceilings as well. Think of a room, made primarily from glass, and voila, you have yourself a sunroom.
Sunrooms can vary dramatically in price, ranging from as little as $5,000 to as much as $90,000, on average of course. Needless to say, as this isn’t just a few hundred bucks, those on a budget who are looking for a sunroom may find themselves considering DIY sunroom kits.
But what are DIY sunroom kits, what are the various pros and cons, how much do they cost, and are they worth it?
What are DIY Sunroom Kits?
As the name implies, DIY sunroom kits are fully customized kits which provide homeowners with everything they need to construct a sunroom at home themselves.
DIY sunroom kits come in a variety of different options. They come in different sizes, have different sized windows, sloped or flat roofs, gable ends, and different glass options.
Typically, however, DIY sunroom kits come with a standard frame, usually made from aluminum, along with stationary glass wall and ceiling panels.
While the kits provide the materials needed to construct a sunroom yourself, you still need to carry out the construction yourself, or, arrange for somebody to do it for you. The idea is that, if you install the sunroom yourself, you save money on labor.
DIY Sunroom Kit Pros
Now that we know more about what DIY sunroom kits are, it’s time for us to look at the various pros and cons they provide.
To begin with, here’s a look at some of the main benefits associated with DIY sunroom kits.
More Availability
For those of you who are in a hurry to have a sunroom constructed, a DIY sunroom kit could be better than having one custom made.
DIY sunroom kits are sold with everything you need. If you are having a sunroom custom built, you could find yourself waiting for certain materials to become available. Not only that, but if you’re having the sunroom built by a professional, you’ll need to wait for the company in question to have availability.
With a DIY sunroom kit, you order the kit, collect it or have it delivered, and you’re ready to go.
You’re in Control
If you like to do things your way, purchasing a DIY sunroom kit and installing it yourself could be the way to go.
With one of these kits, you’re in control. You control the budget, the timeline, the labor, and other variables. You aren’t relying on other laborers, and you don’t have to worry about going over budget. If you plan carefully, you control the budget and the timeline, so you can have your sunroom built when you want it.
Potential Savings
As mentioned previously, sunrooms vary hugely in terms of cost, so please don’t assume that a DIY sunroom kit is guaranteed to save you money, because that isn’t always the case.
With that said, one of the main potential benefits associated with buying a DIY sunroom kit is the fact that it could save you money. The kits themselves vary in price, but the main savings are on labor.
If you build the sunroom yourself, you won’t be paying professionals, meaning you’ll potentially save thousands of dollars. Not only will you save on labor, you’ll save on other fees too, such as consultations, design, surveying, and those types of things. Once you’ve bought the kit and have all the necessary materials, that’s where the bulk of your money will go.
DIY Sunroom Kit Cons
Despite DIY sunroom kits proving very popular over the years, they’re certainly not without their flaws. Here are a few downsides associated with DIY sunroom kits.
Lack of Customization
One of the major drawbacks associated with DIY sunroom kits is the lack of customization. The kits are sold as standard, and therefore you won’t be able to customize the design of your sunroom and make it unique.
Of course, you can use accessories to help it match the architecture and aesthetics of your home’s décor, but at the end of the day, the kits are all generic so you won’t be able to build a truly unique sunroom.
Must be Installed Yourself
Arguably the main drawback associated with DIY sunroom kits is the fact that you must fit the sunroom yourself.
Installing a DIY sunroom kit is not a quick and easy job. You’re basically building a brand new room onto your home, which means that you must make sure you fit everything safely and correctly.
If you’re new to DIY, or aren’t confident, the construction process could prove challenging. Therefore, before you take on the job you must first ensure that you’re confident in your own abilities. If not, you will need to hire someone to install it for you, which could prove costly.
As you’re fitting it yourself, you’re also responsible for making sure it’s fitted safely and correctly.
How Much Do DIY Sunroom Kits Cost?
While there are different types of sunroom kit out there to choose from, most standard kits are more affordable than having a customized sunroom built by a professional company.
Generally speaking, you can purchase a DIY sunroom kit for around $10K, if not slightly less. You are however, responsible for fitting the sunroom yourself so you must make sure you know what you’re doing.
You will also need to provide tools and equipment such as hammers, nails, nail guns, sealant, power tools, and safety equipment. If you need to buy these especially, this will drive the costs up, then of course, there’s the energy usage as well, so be sure to factor these extra expenses into the final costs.