Matt Stark
Indianapolis Star

Question: Which is the better investment, a deck or a sunroom?

Answer: Having built many decks and sunrooms over the past 10 years, I know a lot of factors can go into deciding which home improvement makes the most sense.

A few include the desired use of the space, funds available, maintenance issues and, of course, investment potential.

Here’s a look at those key areas:

Use: Some homeowners are looking for additional outdoor space for living and entertaining during the warm months.

But I’ve heard complaints from those who already have decks that there isn’t enough fair weather and bug-free time in Indiana to fully enjoy a deck.

I’ve even converted existing decks into sunrooms because the homeowners felt that they didn’t get enough use out of the deck; the deck required too much maintenance; they wanted a better transition from indoors to out; or they simply needed more year-round living space.

Funds: Although features such as complicated designs or upgrades can add up, a standard deck with a wooden surface can be constructed very economically.

On the other hand, a sunroom should be considered a major addition requiring construction from foundation to roofing, with interior and exterior finishes in keeping with the existing house. Additional expenses to consider are the effects these upgrades may have on the cost of utilities and property taxes.

Maintenance: Many people don’t realize that, depending on the construction materials, a deck almost always requires regular maintenance, including routine cleaning, staining and sealing. A sunroom also will require maintenance, but this is the same maintenance that already should be occurring on the rest of the house.

Investment: As added square footage to a home — constructed in the same quality of craftsmanship and materials as the original house — a sunroom is probably the stronger long-term investment. A decade down the road, a deck that has not been properly maintained could even be perceived as a deficit or raise flags to potential buyers.

Deciding on whether to invest in a deck or sunroom should not just be an issue of the value retained on initial construction costs.

Whether through quality time spent on an open deck or in a light-filled sunroom full of windows, both spaces provide additional opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.

There is great intrinsic value in how spaces will be used and enjoyed by family and friends.