Insulated Additions in Southeast Louisiana — Sunrooms, Glass Rooms & Patio Enclosures
Convert an under-used porch or patio into everyday square footage that looks and feels like it was built with your home. Southern Home Improvement Center (SHIC) designs and builds climate-ready additions across Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Hammond, Metairie, Kenner, Greater New Orleans, and Baton Rouge — engineered for Gulf Coast heat, humidity, and sudden storms. From bright sunrooms and glass rooms to under-roof conversions and enclosed patios, we deliver clean lines, quiet interiors, and low-maintenance finishes.
Use the quick links above to jump to the topics you care about most. This page covers specifications that work in Southeast Louisiana, project timelines, upgrade ideas, and resources to help you compare contractor estimates without guesswork.
What We Build
Every lot and elevation is different, so we design around your routine — breakfast sun, evening shade, pet traffic, TV glare — and the realities of coastal weather. When you want daily-use space that stays comfortable in July and dries quickly after storms, the envelope matters as much as the floor plan.
- Sunrooms and glass rooms that pair thermal wall systems with Low-E argon vinyl windows, so you get daylight without the heat spike or harsh glare.
- Patio enclosures that turn an exposed slab into a conditioned, four-season room using a 4″ insulated roof with integrated gutters and 3×4 downspouts.
- Under-roof conversions that close in a covered patio while preserving proportions, overhangs, and sightlines for a true “built-with-the-house” look.
- Screen-to-sunroom upgrades that keep your footprint and views while adding insulation, energy-efficient glazing, and a right-sized conditioning plan.
If you’re still deciding between screened and fully insulated, our local comparison explains tradeoffs in wind, pollen, and temperature control — start with Screen Room vs. Sunroom. For a photo-rich example of a bright, conditioned enclosure, see the Glass Room in Slidell, LA case study.
Built for the Gulf Coast — Materials & Details That Matter
Two additions can look similar in photos and perform very differently in August. Performance comes from the envelope and water path: how the roof, walls, glazing, and drainage are sequenced, sealed, and ventilated. Our assemblies are tuned for St. Tammany Parish and East Baton Rouge Parish conditions.
- Insulated roof panels (4″ typical) that dampen rain noise, deliver a clean finished ceiling, and include concealed fan beams for ceiling fans and lighting.
- Integrated water management with factory gutters, correct outlet count on long runs, and 3×4 downspouts that don’t choke during short, heavy bands.
- Thermal wall systems with low-maintenance vinyl frames and insulated base panels that lift glass above splash zones and reduce transfer from the slab.
- Energy-efficient windows and doors using Low-E/argon packages with full-view sliders or French doors and tight weatherstripping at the perimeter.
- Comfort systems such as a right-sized PTAC or coordinated HVAC branch, so the room stays steady in July and quiet on windy evenings.
- Durable finishes like waterproof LVP flooring, sealed transitions, and painted shoe molding that shrug off pets, pool traffic, and everyday spills.
If your home has a history of overflow or concrete staining, pair the addition with a smarter water path — our primer on Seamless Gutters in LA explains outlet sizing and discharge. Planning a standalone cover first? Review spans and panel choices under Patio Covers.
Design → Permits → Build — A Predictable Process
Great rooms start with great planning. Our process keeps surprises low and communication high, so you always know what’s happening, when crews arrive, and what’s next.
- Site visit & options: We measure planes and fascia, verify sun/wind exposure, check slab condition, and discuss how you’ll use the room.
- Photo-rich, itemized estimate: A line-by-line scope with brand-level components and calendar windows for foundation, framing, glazing, and finish.
- Permits & fabrication: We handle permitting, order custom wall/roof panels, and pre-coordinate electrical and drainage details to keep the site moving.
- Foundation & framing: Where needed, we pour a reinforced, doweled slab with vapor barrier; then set thermal walls, insulated roof, and integrated gutters.
- Glazing, doors & comfort: Low-E/argon windows and full-view sliders or French doors go in; fan beams, fixtures, and right-sized conditioning follow.
- Finish & handoff: Waterproof LVP, trim, caulking, magnet sweep, and a final walkthrough with photos, care tips, and warranty information.
Prefer to preview the sequence before you commit? The Northshore case study above shows the path from fresh concrete to finished interior in a coastal setting.
Real-World Use Cases
These rooms solve everyday problems while adding comfort and value. By matching footprint, glass area, and shading to your lot, you’ll use the space morning and night — not just in shoulder seasons.
- Family room with quiet ceilings and glare-controlled glass for TV or game nights during summer storms.
- Work-from-home corner with filtered light, a ceiling fan on a concealed beam, and doors that seal on windy evenings.
- Entertaining zone near the grill, using full-view sliders that stack traffic cleanly without trapping humidity at thresholds.
- Pet-friendly retreat with waterproof LVP, easy-clean trim, and PTAC dehumidification after rainy days.
If you’re weighing curb appeal along with comfort, we align sightlines, profiles, and colors so the addition reads like original construction — a common request in Baton Rouge and on the Northshore.
Screen Room vs. Sunroom vs. Under-Roof
Not sure which path fits best? The comparison below outlines comfort, cost drivers, and maintenance at a glance. It’s a starting point for your site-specific plan.
| Type | Comfort & Use | Envelope & Water Path | Typical Upgrades |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Room | Breezy, bug-free; limited in heat/cold; wind-driven rain passes through | Open walls; roof or cover only; basic gutters | Convert to glass later; add outlets/lighting |
| Sunroom / Glass Room | Four-season, quiet in rain; stable temps with Low-E and conditioning | Thermal walls; 4″ insulated roof; integrated gutters; sealed doors | Transoms/clerestories; multi-panel sliders; shades; LVP patterns |
| Under-Roof Conversion | Feels “built-with-the-house”; strong curb appeal | Closes in existing structure; careful tie-ins to fascia/soffit and drainage | French doors; trim profiles to match; coordinated drainage |
When you’re ready to compare exact scopes and numbers, we’ll produce a photo-documented, itemized estimate so you can see where each dollar goes and why.
Spec Deep-Dive — What Makes an Addition “Feel Original”
Blending a new room into an existing elevation takes more than color matching. We align proportions and details so your addition looks like it belongs on day one and year ten.
- Sightlines and symmetry: window heights align with adjacent spaces; mullion rhythms match; door rails don’t cut key views.
- Overhangs and soffits: insulated panels tie into fascia at a clean reveal; soffit vents stay functional; downspouts don’t discharge onto paths.
- Thresholds and transitions: door tracks set to spec; LVP lands cleanly at openings; shoe molding is glued and painted for a durable edge.
- Service-ready framing: fan beams, concealed wiring routes, and backed locations for shades or TV mounts to avoid exposed hardware later.
These details reduce callbacks, control water, and keep the space comfortable through storm season — exactly what Gulf Coast homes need.
Options & Upgrades
Most additions use a clean, simple palette. When you want more light, storage, or control, these upgrades add comfort without complicating the envelope or water path.
- Clerestory or transom glass to borrow light from the main house while maintaining privacy lines.
- French doors for traditional elevations or multi-panel sliders for wide patios and pool access.
- Layered lighting: dimmable cans, task fixtures, and a quiet ceiling fan on a prewired beam.
- Coordinated gutter/downspout changes paired with a broader seamless-gutter upgrade where runoff has been a chronic issue.
- Sun-control shades and low-maintenance interior profiles that wipe clean easily after beach or pool days.
Not sure what’s worth it? We’ll show good/better/best packages with pricing, so you can invest where comfort and longevity improve the most.
Planning, Timeline & Budget
Lot lines, HOAs, flood zones, and electrical routes all shape the plan. We surface constraints early and map a realistic timeline that reflects permitting, fabrication lead times, and slab curing when needed.
- Typical durations: documentation and estimate (≈1 day); permits/fabrication (≈2–3 weeks); foundation and cure (as needed); install (≈1–3 days by size/complexity).
- Budget drivers: footprint, glass area, door type, electrical scope, and whether a new doweled slab is required.
- Ownership costs: vinyl frames, factory finishes, and sealed transitions keep maintenance light — seasonal rinses and quick outlet checks.
If you’re comparing contractor proposals, the logic we use on roofing applies here too — see our Roof Estimate Decoder for how to compare line items, understand allowances, and spot scope gaps before you sign.
Pricing & How to Compare Bids
Addition quotes vary because homes, exposures, and finishes vary. Focus on scope parity first: the same roof panel thickness, the same glazing package, the same outlet count and downspout size, and the same finish level. Then compare labor, timeline, and warranty terms. We’ll help you make an apples-to-apples decision with a photo-rich, line-by-line proposal and options you can scale up or down without surprises.
Case Studies & Resources
Want to see how this comes together in real weather? Walk a Northshore build from slab to trim in our Glass Room in Slidell, LA case study. Considering a cover first? Review spans and finishes under Patio Covers. Planning new windows as part of the envelope? Start at Replacement Windows. For inspiration across materials and styles, browse the Project Gallery.
Service Areas & Next Steps
SHIC builds insulated additions across Southeast Louisiana — Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Hammond, Metairie, Kenner, Greater New Orleans, and Baton Rouge. We’re licensed and insured (LA #81801; MS #R07326), manufacturer-trained, and focused on tidy job sites, clear timelines, and finishes that look like they’ve always belonged.
Ready to explore a sunroom, glass room, patio enclosure, or under-roof conversion that performs in Gulf Coast weather? We’ll measure your space, photograph key details, and deliver an itemized proposal with options you can compare with confidence.
Request a Free, Photo-Rich Estimate — or call our local coordinators in Slidell/Northshore at (985) 643-6611 and in Baton Rouge at (225) 766-4244. Let’s design an addition you’ll use every day — quiet in the rain, cool in summer, and clean at the edges.
