When you're ready to expand your living space in your Jacksonville home, you might find yourself weighing two popular options: a sunroom vs a home addition. Both upgrades offer fantastic benefits, but they cater to different needs, budgets, and lifestyles. So, which one is right for your property?
In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences between these two types of spaces, how they impact your home's value, and how to make the best choice for your specific goals.
What you’ll learn:
A sunroom addition in Jacksonville is a bright, enclosed space, usually filled with large windows, that lets you enjoy the outdoors without having to actually be outside. It's the kind of space that makes a gloomy day feel cozy and a sunny day feel like vacation.
Some are three-season rooms, great for spring through fall. Others are four-season (or year-round sunrooms in Jacksonville), designed with insulation and climate control so you can enjoy them during our steamy summers and occasional chilly days.
We’ve seen sunrooms used as reading nooks, morning yoga spots, art studios, garden rooms, and even casual lounges for wine nights with friends. And yes, they’re perfect for homeowners who love nature but prefer their air-conditioned comfort.
A home addition in Jacksonville, FL, is exactly what it sounds like: building out a new, fully integrated space that feels like it's always been part of your house. We're talking new bedrooms, mother-in-law suites, expanded kitchens, extra living rooms, anything that adds meaningful, livable space.
These types of custom home additions in Jacksonville are designed with all the same infrastructure as the rest of your home. That means HVAC, plumbing, insulation, electrical, you name it. If you're looking to truly add square footage to your home in Jacksonville, a full addition is the way to go.
The short answer? Yes, usually. But as with most things in construction, it depends.
Sunrooms are typically less expensive because they require fewer structural elements. But if you go for a top-tier luxury sunroom in Jacksonville, complete with climate control, high-end finishes, and a complex roof tie-in, the price can climb.
On average:
So yes, sunrooms are a more budget-friendly way to add space to your home, but keep in mind the function you're paying for. If you need a new bedroom or kitchen, a sunroom likely won't cut it.
Living in Jacksonville means sunshine, salty air, and a laid-back, outdoor-oriented lifestyle. That’s why sunroom additions in Jacksonville are so popular. They allow you to enjoy nature, stay comfortable, and avoid the bugs.
We’ve built sunrooms for entertaining right off pool decks, overlooking lush backyards, or facing wooded conservation areas. They create a peaceful, light-filled extension of your home and can be a perfect transition space between inside and out.
But if you’re in one of Jacksonville’s older, character-filled neighborhoods, like Avondale, Ortega, or Mandarin, you might be running into layout challenges or limited square footage. In that case, renovating older homes in Jacksonville with a thoughtful home addition often makes more sense.
Here’s a question we hear often: Which option adds more resale value to my home?
Generally, a full home addition in Jacksonville, FL, is going to provide a higher return. That’s because it increases the official square footage of your home, something buyers and appraisers pay attention to.
But that doesn't mean a sunroom isn't a smart investment. A well-designed, year-round sunroom in Jacksonville, especially one that blends beautifully with your home and offers scenic views, can absolutely boost appeal. Many buyers are drawn to the indoor-outdoor living space concept, especially here in Florida.
Bottom line: both can help you increase home value, but it’s important to consider how you’ll use the space day to day. That’s what makes the biggest difference in long-term satisfaction.
Still not sure which direction to go? Let’s look at some common ways our clients use these spaces:
One isn’t necessarily better than the other; it just depends on what fits your life now and what will grow with you.
We had one client in the “Wouldn’t it be Everleigh” project who decided to remove their sunroom and replace it with a beautiful outdoor patio. Why? They wanted more open light, and it completely transformed how the main living area felt.
In contrast, another homeowner had an existing patio they weren’t using. We turned it into a four-season sunroom where they now read every morning and host friends in the evenings. Two totally different goals. Two totally different results. Both homeowners were thrilled!
You might want to go with a sunroom addition in Jacksonville if:
On the flip side, a home addition in Jacksonville, FL is the better fit if:
We also help clients looking for unique home addition ideas, like garages with lofts, pool houses, or detached guest quarters.
At BeeTree Homes, we don’t just build additions, we build long-term relationships rooted in trust, creativity, and craftsmanship. If you’re envisioning a light-filled sunroom or a thoughtfully designed home expansion, our team of expert design-build contractors in Jacksonville will guide you through every step with care and clarity.
Let’s create something beautiful together. Reach out to BeeTree Homes for a personalized consultation and discover how our award-winning team can help you bring your sunroom or home addition in Jacksonville, FL, to life with integrity, insight, and a little bit of magic.