Differences Between Three Season and Four Season Rooms

In this post, you will learn about the key distinctions between three season and four season rooms, and which type of sunroom is best suited to your individual needs. We will also explain why Patio Enclosures offers the best value for your investment.

What is the Difference Between a Three Season Room and a Four Season Room?

Are you considering adding a sunroom to your home? A sunroom can be a delightful space for you and your family to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while staying protected from bugs and inclement weather. It also adds valuable space and natural light to your home.

Before making a decision, it’s important to understand the differences between three season and four season rooms, and how each can benefit you and your family.

Seasons of use: While three season rooms and four season rooms may initially appear similar, the main distinguishing factors lie in the framing system and glass used. A four season room is thermally engineered, allowing it to be heated and cooled efficiently. This means it can be used year-round, regardless of the weather. On the other hand, a three season room is typically only suitable for use in mild temperatures, during the spring, summer, and fall. However, if you reside in a mild climate, a three season room could be perfect for you. The deciding factor will depend on your planned usage.

Difference in engineering: Four season rooms offer two framing options: vinyl with steel and aluminum reinforcement, and aluminum. These thermally-engineered frame options ensure cost-effective heating and cooling throughout the year, regardless of your climate. Three season rooms, in contrast, have aluminum frames that are not designed to prevent heat loss, making them more affordable.

Price: Due to their ability to be heated and cooled, four season rooms tend to be more expensive than three season rooms. The Patio Enclosures Team will work with you to custom design and build a sunroom that fits your needs and budget.

Frame: Our four season rooms are constructed with thermally-engineered extruded aluminum or structurally-reinforced vinyl, depending on your preference and project requirements. Our three season rooms feature a 3 1/8-inch extruded, powder-coated aluminum frame that offers excellent resistance to scratching, fading, chipping, and peeling, ensuring long-lasting color. Both types of rooms meet or exceed local and national building codes, providing structural integrity.

Door & Window Rolling Systems: Three season rooms utilize a triple track system with ball-bearing wheels for easy operation. Four season rooms employ a monorail system with ball-bearing wheels. Both options allow for effortless operation, enabling you to enjoy a gentle breeze without leaving the comforts of your home.

Glass Options: Both three season and four season rooms offer a range of glass options to ensure your sunroom meets your preferences. Three season rooms come with single-pane glass as standard, but can be upgraded to double-pane insulated glass or Comfort-Gard® PLUS high-performance glass. Four season rooms come with double-pane glass as standard to improve heating and cooling performance, but can also be upgraded to Comfort-Gard PLUS high-performance glass. We also offer a bronze glass tint option, which provides UV protection and reduces solar heat gain, keeping your home cooler in the warm summer months. All of our exclusive glass options are tempered for safety.

Would you like to learn more about our sunroom types and options? Check out our sunroom comparison chart to discover 10 important sunroom terms that will help you make the right decision for your home.

How Do I Know Which Sunroom Type is Best for Me?

Before deciding on a sunroom type, consider these questions:

• How frequently do you plan to use the room?
• What do you intend to use the sunroom for?
• What features do you want the room to include?
• What is your budget?

Both three season and four season rooms offer numerous benefits. They provide ample natural sunlight and the additional space can be used for entertaining, relaxation, or any purpose you desire. At Patio Enclosures, we understand that adding a sunroom is a significant investment, and we want you to feel confident in your decision from the start.

How Do I Know I am Getting the Best Value for my Investment?

At Patio Enclosures, we handle every aspect of your sunroom project, ensuring you receive the best value for your investment.

We do it all: From design and manufacture to installation, we guarantee and service all of our products. Each sunroom comes with our Limited Lifetime Warranty. Homeowners have trusted the Patio Enclosures brand since 1966. Our rooms are built to last and have withstood hurricanes on the Jersey coast and blizzards in the north. Over 250,000 customers across the country are currently enjoying their Patio Enclosures sunrooms.

Custom designed: Our sunrooms are not cookie-cutter. Each one is specifically designed for your home, allowing for customizations that meet your needs. We manufacture our sunrooms, ensuring we can create a unique space just for you.

Endless options: Your home is unique, and your sunroom addition should be as well. Choose the style of your sunroom and then select the color, roof, glass, and more. We offer endless design options to ensure your room exceeds your expectations.

Financing: We offer several financing plans to help you comfortably afford the sunroom of your dreams.

If you want to learn more about our sunroom types and options, take a look at our sunroom comparison chart.

Ready to begin your patio enclosure project? Contact us or schedule your free, in-home estimate today.

Learn More About Our Sunroom Types & Options