A sunroom reimagined into a year-round sanctuary

This family came to us because they wanted a true four-season sunroom—open, bright, structurally sound, and fully integrated with their home—but their existing space was a cramped porch conversion with aging walls and windows that were not up to par. They wanted to create something lasting, beautiful, and functional. We took the architectural plans they had worked on prior to working with us, refined them, and built a space that has become the true heart of their home.

Goals & Challenges

• Transform an undersized porch-turned-sunroom into a spacious, fully insulated, year-round living space.
• Improve sightlines and flow from the kitchen and breakfast area into the new sunroom.
• Replace the inferior windows with high-quality windows and transoms that flood the room with natural light.
• The original base for the sunroom was 16”-thick rebar slab, which is unusual for residential construction.
• They wanted to add a fireplace .
• The existing cobblestone paver patio presented tripping hazards and maintenance issues.
• A homeowner’s parent passed during the construction process, so we had to adjust work schedules and clear the site.

Solutions 

• We began by refining and improving the architect’s plans, adjusting layout, structure, and details before final drawings—and improving additional elements onsite once the project began.
• We demolished the original sunroom while preserving the unusually thick slab, which would have cost both time and money to rip up. With engineering approval, we poured a new slab over it and built robust new footings around it—creating a structure so solid the homeowners jokingly call it their storm shelter.
• We replaced the existing windows with high-quality, insulted windows that preserve the magnificent views while keeping the elements out and conditioned air in. 
• On top of the new windows, we added transoms, which increased the natural light and elevated the architecture of the room.
• Installed a dramatic 8-foot-high, three-panel stacking slider to replace the existing windows and door and modified the kitchen opening to give the homeowners uninterrupted views and seamless flow.
• Installed a new gas fireplace, running new gas lines through a finished attic and adding a second line for the outdoor grill.
• Solved safety and aesthetic concerns with the slate that faced the fireplace by installing a Schluter edge trim. This softened the tile edges, which was especially important with the impending arrival of their first grandbaby.
• Crafted a custom cedar mantle with a hand-blended stain mix to perfectly complement the room’s colors.
• Used a stunning 20”x20” diagonal tile for the floor and coordinated matching tile for the fireplace surround.
• Upgraded the exterior with Hardie® siding and trim, board-and-batten accents, matched brick, and crisp black 6-inch gutters to handle runoff and prevent future overflow issues.
• Replaced the aging, uneven cobblestone patio with a new low-maintenance concrete patio, improving safety, drainage, and outdoor usability.
• Installed a new side door and custom dog door, complete with an onsite-built ramp for the homeowners’ pup.
• Coordinated with a trusted landscaper to design and install a stone retaining wall and plantings that tied the entire backyard together.
• Managed the project with sensitivity during a family bereavement period, ensuring the home was clean, presentable, and ready for visiting relatives.
• Delivered the project on schedule in 14 weeks, on budget, and with a finished space the homeowners now use more than any room in their house.