Converting your deck into a sunroom is one of the best ways to create additional living space in your home. With a three-season or four-season room, you can enjoy a versatile area filled with natural light, without worrying about the weather.
A new sunroom gives you and your family an indoor-outdoor living area that’s protected from bugs, wind, and rain. With proper heating and cooling, the space stays comfortable even through big temperature swings, making it perfect for year round enjoyment. On top of that, a well-designed sunroom increases both your livable square footage and your home’s resale value, boosting your overall home value. A sunroom provides even more curb appeal than a deck by adding year-round usability and visual interest. Converting a deck to a sunroom is a cost effective way to add additional living space and save money compared to building a new addition. The potential return on investment for a sunroom is estimated at 49%, making it a financially appealing addition and worth installing for many homeowners. When planning your sunroom, be sure to choose a design that complements your home's style for a cohesive look.
However, many homeowners underestimate the complexity of a sunroom addition. Transforming an attached deck or screened-in porch into a bright, insulated, electrified, and comfortable living space requires real expertise. Careful planning is essential before starting the project. Consulting with a structural engineer is recommended to evaluate the integrity of the existing deck before beginning the conversion process.
In this post, I’ll break down what goes into a sunroom conversion, what can go wrong when it’s done poorly, and how to find the right remodeler to deliver your project on spec, on time, and on budget.
Sunrooms and screened porches both offer indoor-outdoor comfort, but a sunroom involves far more in terms of design and construction. Converting a deck into a three- or four-season sunroom means addressing each detail with care. Assessing the structural integrity of the existing deck is crucial. Most wraparound decks and attached decks are ideal for conversion, and the way the deck connects to the house can affect the conversion plan. Covered decks and the type of decking materials also have an influence.
Evaluating the existing deck—size, condition, deck foundation, deck support, deck posts, and ensuring a solid foundation to support the extra weight of a sunroom. Inspect for condition and reinforce as needed.
Reviewing building plans and ensuring compliance with local building codes and obtaining building permits before starting construction.
Designing the space based on intended use, customization options, and whether it will be a three season room, or a four-season room. Consider additional space and create a versatile space for entertainment, relaxation, or indoor gardening.
Site preparation may involve removing existing materials, upgrading the foundation, and sourcing high-quality materials.
Creating a seamless connection to the main house.
Installing the right windows—in terms of size, placement, insulation, and functionality, including large windows for natural light and views. Proper window installation is essential.
Choosing and installing flooring, such as hardwood floors or options with underfloor heating for indoor comfort.
Selecting the best roof structure, whether single-pitch, gable sunroom, simple awning, or other roofing options, with proper internal support and integration with the existing structure.
Constructing the walls and roof to meet structural and drainage standards, including wall framing and finishing.
Wiring for lights and outlets
Choosing and installing an HVAC system
Connecting to the yard, potentially through French or sliding doors, so the sunroom creates a seamless transition to outdoor living spaces and allows you to enjoy the outdoors year-round.
Furnishing and decorating the finished space
Reinforcements like joists, beams, or piers may be needed to support a new sunroom and ensure deck support.
Each of these steps demands precision. Complexity increases further when you’re working with most wraparound decks, raised decks, or non-standard layouts. The difference between a three season room and a four season room lies in insulation and year-round usability. A sunroom project can enhance comfort indoors and outdoor living space. Sunroom construction creates a functional and beautiful addition to your home.
Without the right planning and experience, a sunroom conversion can easily go off track.
Improper permitting: Permits are required for most renovations. A contractor unfamiliar with building permits or local building codes may start work prematurely, resulting in costly delays or legal issues. In Des Moines, IA, a permit is required to convert a deck into a sunroom.
Rushed work: Sunroom conversions are not quick weekend projects. Inexperienced contractors may underestimate the effort, rushing critical steps, especially those tied to the deck’s structure and foundation, and may skip essential structural integrity checks.
Poor design: A sunroom should be more than just added square footage—it should be a truly livable space. Great contractors tailor the layout and finishes to your home. Poor ones apply a one-size-fits-all plan.
Low-quality materials: Prefab sunroom kits often rely on flimsy materials, like single-pane glass or low-grade framing. These setups might work temporarily, but they rarely deliver long-lasting comfort or aesthetic value.
Shoddy structural work: Your sunroom needs to be built from the ground up—literally. It starts with evaluating your existing deck and designing for proper deck support and a solid deck foundation. The structure must be able to handle the extra weight of a sunroom. Failing to assess or reinforce these elements can compromise safety and stability.
Inadequate weatherproofing: Without proper insulation and waterproofing, a sunroom won’t offer much more comfort than a screened porch. You need protection from the elements to extend usability through the seasons.
Electrical and HVAC issues: Electrical wiring and HVAC integration are what turn a shell into a usable room. Mistakes here are costly—and often hard to fix once the walls are closed up.
Starting with a deck in poor condition: If the existing deck is in bad shape, it may require significant repairs or even rebuilding before a sunroom can be safely added.
To get the results you want, you need a skilled, experienced remodeler—especially for custom sunroom work. When starting your sunroom project, it's important to choose a contractor who can help you develop a comprehensive conversion plan to ensure your project is successful from start to finish. Here’s how to find one:
When discussing design and materials, ask potential contractors about the types of customizations they offer. A good contractor will guide you through sunroom construction choices, helping you select features and finishes that match your preferences and ensure your sunroom is both functional and beautiful.
Start by asking people you trust. Even if they haven't had a sunroom built, referrals to high-quality custom remodelers are still valuable.
Any contractor you consider should be licensed, bonded, and insured. They should also understand your city's permit requirements and inspection process.
Sunroom conversions are different from standard additions or decks. Choose a contractor with a track record of three- and four-season room projects.
Your contractor should care about the details. If they only offer prefab options, that's a red flag. Instead, look for someone who wants to bring your ideas to life—whether that's French doors, radiant flooring, large skylights, or a glass roof for more natural light. When furnishing your sunroom, choose fabrics and finishes that can withstand strong sunlight and resist fading.
Compare bids—but don't just go with the cheapest. Look at how thorough the estimate is, the materials specified, and whether a warranty is included.
Time-and-materials bids put the financial risk on you. A fixed-price contract gives you cost certainty and peace of mind, especially when you're dealing with structural work, electrical, and HVAC.
Responsiveness and clarity matter. If a contractor is hard to reach or vague in their communication, consider it a warning sign.
Online reviews offer helpful insights, but don't stop there. Ask questions and request references and talk to past clients to hear how the remodeler handled budgeting, timelines, and surprises.
Make sure their past sunroom projects reflect the quality and style you're looking for. Before-and-after photos of year-round sunrooms are especially helpful.
At Compelling Homes, we believe there's no better place for a year-round sunroom than right here in the Des Moines area. Our climate brings big shifts from season to season—but a well-designed sunroom lets you enjoy natural light and fresh air all year long.
As a custom design-build remodeler, we specialize in custom sunroom conversions, not prefab kits. We understand the construction challenges and know how to build for comfort, function, and lasting value. We've even created a pricing guide specifically for converting decks into sunrooms in Greater Des Moines.
From your first consultation through final walkthrough, our team handles every detail—design, engineering, permitting, and remodeling—so your experience is seamless.
Explore our process, browse our portfolio, or contact us today to schedule your sunroom consultation.