Screen room vs Sunroom
Screen rooms have screened (not glass) walls and function as covered outdoor space; sunrooms have glass walls and function as interior living space. The trade-offs span cost, climate control, and how the space is used through Northeast Florida's seasons.
Screen room
Screened walls, covered roof
Sunroom
Glass walls, conditioned interior
How they stack up.
| Dimension | Screen room | Sunroom |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (typical) | $18,000–$45,000 | $45,000–$110,000 |
| Climate | Outdoor temperature; ventilated | Conditioned interior (with HVAC) |
| Use through NE FL summer | Limited mid-day; great evenings | Year-round |
| Insect control | Screen mesh | Sealed glass |
| Code classification | Covered outdoor structure | Conditioned residential space |
| Property tax impact | Minor | Assessed as conditioned space |
| Floor finish options | Tile, LVT, sealed concrete | Any residential flooring |
Screen room is the right call for households that want outdoor living without insects, accept summer mid-day temperatures, and don't need a year-round conditioned room. Common as the first major exterior project on a new home.
Sunroom is the right call when the household will use the space year-round (home office, reading nook, dining area), and the budget supports the conditioned-space construction.
- Florida Building Code Section 1609 — wind load design
- FBC residential envelope requirements (R-values)
- Renaissance Patio product documentation
Tivey services for this work.
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