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. On top of that, a well-designed sunroom increases both your livable square footage and your home’s resale value.
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.
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.
Key components of a sunroom conversion include:
Evaluating the existing deck—size, condition, and foundation (especially for elevated decks).
Designing the space based on intended use and whether it will be three-season or four-season.
Site preparation which 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
Choosing and installing flooring
Selecting the best roof structure, whether single-pitch, gable, or something else, with proper internal support
Constructing the walls and roof to meet structural and drainage standards
Wiring for lights and outlets
Choosing and installing an HVAC system
Connecting to the yard, potentially through French or sliding doors
Furnishing and decorating the finished space
Each of these steps demands precision. Complexity increases further when you're working with wraparound decks, raised decks, or non-standard layouts.
Without the right planning and experience, a sunroom conversion can easily go off track. Here are the most common pitfalls:
Improper permitting: Permits are required for most renovations. A contractor unfamiliar with local codes may start work prematurely, resulting in costly delays or legal issues.
Rushed work: Sunroom conversions are not quick weekend projects. Inexperienced contractors may underestimate the effort, rushing critical steps, especially those tied to the existing deck's structure and foundation.
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 load support, including the roof.
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.
To get the results you want, you need a skilled, experienced remodeler—especially for custom sunroom work. Here’s how to find one:
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.
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 for 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 personalized sunroom conversions. 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 construction—so your experience is seamless.
Explore our process, browse our portfolio, or contact us today to schedule your sunroom consultation.