Living in New England means savoring every ounce of sunshine and wishing we had just a little more of it in those colder months. That’s where a sunroom, 3-season room, or screened porch comes in. These spaces blur the line between indoors and outdoors, letting you enjoy the beauty of the Seacoast, Rockingham County, or Southern Maine, without battling bugs, snow, or unpredictable weather. If you’ve ever dreamed of sipping morning coffee surrounded by light or extending summer nights well into fall, this is for you.
Oxland Builders is a design-build firm based in Stratham, NH, known for combining thoughtful design with expert craftsmanship. With hundreds of successful projects throughout Southern Maine and the Seacoast, we know what it takes to build sunrooms and porches that stand up to the seasons and make your home feel bigger, brighter, and better connected to the outdoors. Here's what you need to know about these excellent indoor-outdoor addition options.
When homeowners think about bringing the outside in, these three options often come up, but they serve slightly different needs depending on how you plan to use the space and the seasons you want to enjoy it in. Here's a quick breakdown.
A sunroom functions as a true extension of your interior living space. Because it's insulated and climate-controlled, it can be used year-round, making it one of the most versatile types of home additions.
Best for: Year-round use
Structure: Fully insulated with HVAC access, large windows or glass walls
Benefits: Adds living space that feels light-filled and open while staying comfortable, even in New Hampshire winters
Great for: Home offices, reading nooks, dining areas, or simply a warm place to enjoy the sun year-round
Fully insulated walls, roof, and flooring
High-performance windows (double or triple-pane with low-E glass)
Seamless integration with your home’s existing architecture
Vaulted or cathedral ceilings for openness and natural light
Heated floors for year-round comfort in colder climates
Skylights or clerestory windows for additional daylight
Custom built-ins like bookcases, benches, or a media center
Integrated HVAC system or mini-split units for heating and cooling
Solar shades or automated blinds for light control
Tile, hardwood, or engineered flooring matched to the rest of your home
Flexible furnishings—great for use as a reading nook, office, or informal living room
Accent walls, wainscoting, or custom trim to add character
A 3-season porch offers the perfect canvas for creative design, giving you the feel of outdoor living with more protection and comfort.
Best for: Spring, summer, and fall
Structure: Enclosed with windows or interchangeable screens and panels, but usually not connected to central heating
Benefits: Keeps bugs, wind, and rain out while letting natural light and breezes in without the full cost of a year-round addition
Great for: Lounging, dining, entertaining, or expanding your living space without a full remodel
Vinyl or aluminum framing with insulated windows or interchangeable panels
Tiled or composite flooring for durability and easy cleaning
Thermally improved windows or sliding glass doors for extended use in cooler months
Ceiling fans to maintain airflow during warmer months
Tongue-and-groove wood ceilings for a classic New England look
Recessed lighting and wall sconces for evening use
Built-in seating or storage benches
Wide windowsills or ledges for plants and decor
Electrical outlets for space heaters, lamps, or entertainment equipment
Screened porches are the most casual of the three options, designed for warm-weather use and built to feel like a true outdoor space with just enough shelter to keep out insects and rain.
Best for: Warm weather months
Structure: Covered and screened, but typically uninsulated and open to temperature swings
Benefits: Keeps bugs and debris out while giving you a true outdoor feel—perfect for enjoying summer evenings or shaded afternoons
Great for: Grilling, casual hangouts, and creating a breezy outdoor retreat
Exposed framing in wood or composite
Screen panels that can be fixed or interchangeable with storm panels
Open decking or porch flooring with moisture resistance
Exposed rafters or beadboard ceilings
Ceiling fans for comfort during summer months
Simple pendant lights or string lights for evening ambiance
Removable screens or retractable panels
Outdoor-rated furniture and textiles
Storage for seasonal cushions or grilling supplies
Curious about the cost of these projects? See our cost guide for more information.
Oxland Builders builds spaces that make sense for the way you live, in the place you call home. Our bespoke screened porches, patios, sunrooms, and 3-season rooms look like thoughtful extensions of your home. We’re a locally owned design-build firm based in Stratham, New Hampshire, serving homeowners throughout Rockingham County and Southern Maine.
Our dedicated design team works with you from the start to develop a plan that fits your goals, style, and budget. Whether you have a clear vision or need inspiration, we guide you through layouts, materials, finishes, and the finer details, right in our design studio.
Our proven process includes:
Initial consultation to understand your space and needs
Detailed design phase, including 3D renderings and material selections
Scope development with transparent timelines and pricing
Professional construction management from start to finish
We bring decades of experience and work with a vetted team of subcontractors and tradespeople. From post-and-beam detailing to flawless finishes, we ensure every detail reflects the quality Oxland is known for.
Because we live and work in this region, we understand the challenges of building in a New England climate. We know how to design 3-season rooms that transition with the weather and sunrooms that stay warm even in February.
If you’re considering adding one of these spaces to your New Hampshire, Massachusetts, or Southern Maine home, you likely have a few questions. Here are some of the most common things homeowners ask us:
Yes. Most home additions, including 3-season rooms and enclosed porches, require local building permits. As your design-build contractor, Oxland Builders handles all permitting and code compliance on your behalf.
The timeline depends on the size and complexity of your project. On average, a 3-season porch may take 6–8 weeks from the start of construction, while a fully insulated sunroom can take 8–12 weeks. The design phase adds time upfront but leads to smoother construction.
Costs vary depending on materials, size, and finishes. Generally, screened porches are the most affordable, followed by 3-season rooms, and then four-season sunrooms. We’ll work with you to define a clear scope and provide accurate pricing early in the process.
In many cases, yes. If the structure is sound, we can retrofit it with insulated windows and other improvements to extend its usability into colder seasons. We’ll assess the framing and foundation before making recommendations.
Absolutely. With the right design and materials, like energy-efficient windows and heated floors, a sunroom can become one of the most comfortable and versatile rooms in your home, even in the dead of winter.
Oxland’s experienced home builders and remodelers are here to help you design a quality sunroom, three-season room, or screened porch that you can enjoy for years to come. Contact us today to discuss the outdoor living space of your dreams!