Converting a Porch into a Four-Season Sunroom with First Floor Workshop in Springfield, VA
Includes such features as:
- Fireplace
- Dry Bar
- Minka Aire® Coal Finish Interior Ceiling Fan
- Luxury Vinyl Flooring
- Recessed Lighting
The Homeowners’ Needs
With a small, deteriorating back porch and a new family member moving in, these Springfield homeowners saw an opportunity to convert their existing porch into a larger, enclosed four-season sunroom. They liked the idea of having an indoor space that felt like they were also enjoying an outdoor experience, all year round.
Initial plans were to design and build their remodel in three phases: 1) Add a workshop and a storage shed for the homeowner’s father, 2) Add a four-season sunroom in place of the existing porch, and 3) Add hardscaping of a new patio area off the new deck behind the kitchen.
The homeowners decided to tackle the storage shed themselves, leaving Schroeder Design Build to focus on the design and construction of the four-season sunroom and workshop.
A Snug, Safe & Dry Year-Round Living Space
To utilize this indoor/outdoor living space year-round, a ductless heat pump was installed.
The sunroom was designed with beautiful transom windows, creating a glass enclosure that maximized the view of the backyard. The existing porch ceiling was low, so we increased the height to give the room a sense of connection to the backyard through the high glass windows.
The interior finishes were purposely designed to match and blend with the home’s other rooms, utilizing luxury vinyl plank (LVP) waterproof flooring in gray with anti-microbial coating, neutral paint colors, matching baseboards, crown molding, interior doors, and millwork.
The sunroom’s exterior was also designed to carefully match the home’s existing exterior, including home’s vinyl siding, gutters, soffit, fascia, and asphalt shingle roof.
Unique Design Details
- Trex LED exterior deck riser lights in classic white
- Exterior wall sconce
- Trex decking and deck railings
- Exterior double doors with matte black hardware
- Anderson 100 series windows
Project Challenges
Just the foundation alone involved installing needed insulation under the floor joists and enclosing the sides of the foundation. Lattice was installed to complete the look.
This project was designed and constructed during COVID, so communication was of utmost importance, and mostly virtual.
The existing landscape drainage system needed to be routed through the foundation to ensure proper drainage during heavy rains.
Result
These Springfield homeowners received a beautiful sunroom that not only looked like it was part of the home’s original structure, it did its job to connect the homeowners to the outdoors, while still feeling comfortable and warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Schroeder Design/Build
Inspiration Studio
3918 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 100
Fairfax, Virginia 22031
(703) 449-1700
Serving
Arlington
Fairfax
Loudoun
Alexandria
Burke
Great Falls
Sterling
Old Town
Vienna
And More…
