How to Add Value to a Home With a Sun Room on an Existing Deck

Preparation

• 1

  Check with local building authorities before adding on to the home. You may need to submit your plans and pull building permits.

• 2

  Measure the deck area that you want to enclose and draw a scale model of the sun porch area. Determine how many windows you want to install on each of the three sides of the addition, and how many skylights and their positions. Try to use standard sizes rather than custom sizes to save money. If you want a door leading outside the room, be sure to add it into your plan, and make sure it opens out, not in.

• 3

  Remove the railings from the deck.

• 4

  Add insulation under the deck floor by inserting the insulation between the floor joists and holding it in place with staples. Add 2 by 4s cut to size to fit between the joists to further hold the insulation in place.

Build the Frame

• 5

  Attach a 2 by 10 inch ledger board to the house at the place where the roof will tie into the home. Use bolts to hold the ledger board in place. Nail up the joist hangars every 16 inches.

• 6

  Nail 4 by 4 inch columns to the house where the side walls will tie in.

• 7

  Frame in the three wall sections according to your drawings, leaving space for the windows. The top piece of wood on all three sections should measure 2 by 10 inches.

• 8

  Attach a triangular piece of framing to the top of the two side walls, matching the pitch of the roofline.

• 9

  Nail the side walls to the house and the deck flooring. Check for level and plumb.

• 10

  Attach the front wall to the sides and to the deck flooring. Add joist hangars at the top. Check for level, plumb and square.

Finishing

• 11

  Hang the ceiling joists into the joist hangars on both the house side and the front wall. Attach with nails.

• 12

  Nail plywood on the exterior walls, the roof and over the decking material.

• 13

  Install the windows and the door, as per manufacturer's directions. Check for level and plumb. Cut out roofing plywood to install the skylights and install them in their designated locations.

• 14

  Finish the exterior with siding to match the rest of the house.

• 15

  Staple roofing tarpaper onto the plywood, then nail down the shingles.

Complete the Interior

• 16

  Add any electrical wiring needed for lights. Add insulation between the wall studs and the ceiling joists. Nail or screw drywall into place, and use drywall tape and joint compound to seal the seams and cover the nail heads.

• 17

  Lay down a flooring treatment of tile, carpet or linoleum.

• 18

  Add trim around the floors, windows and door.

• 19

  Install any lighting fixtures.

• 20

  Prime and paint the walls.