It's such a privilege to live where lake breezes meet timeless charm. In order to enjoy everything this beautiful region has to offer, Harbor Country homeowners are always looking for ways to create memorable and functional outdoor spaces. Whether you’re spending weekends here to unwind or living full-time near the shoreline, adding a deck or sunroom is one of the best ways to expand your lifestyle footprint.
But which one is right for your home?
Both options offer serious perks: decks shine in the summer, while sunrooms extend your enjoyment into every season. This guide will walk you through the pros and cons of each, important lifestyle and local permitting considerations, and how some Harbor Country families are combining both for the best of both worlds.
If summer entertaining is your favorite sport, a deck might be the winning play. Decks are ideal for open-air living, cookouts with friends, and sunset views after a day at the beach. They’re also relatively quick to build and more budget-friendly than enclosed additions, making them a popular choice for second homes or seasonal upgrades.
Peacock often recommends composite decking as a starting point for long-term durability with minimal maintenance. From there, the options are nearly endless: built-in lighting, custom seating, or a partial roof or pergola can elevate your deck from simple to spectacular.
Of course, decks come with trade-offs. Exposure to the elements means more maintenance over time, especially in our Midwest climate. And because they’re open to the outdoors, your use may be limited to warmer months, unless you add features like a covered area or outdoor heaters.
If you’re looking for a space that works no matter the weather, a sunroom brings the outdoors in without the bugs or wind. Sunrooms are one of the best ways to add livable square footage and increase your home’s value while giving you a cozy spot to enjoy Harbor Country’s changing seasons.
Today’s sunrooms aren’t just screen rooms. Many of our clients are opting for year-round sunroom designs that include insulation, efficient windows, and even HVAC connections. Design features like vaulted ceilings, shiplap or tongue-and-groove woodwork, and expansive windows turn your sunroom into a true extension of your home’s architecture and your lifestyle.
The biggest consideration is investment. A sunroom generally takes longer to design and build than a deck and involves more permits and structural planning. But for Harbor Country homeowners who want to maximize every square foot, the benefits often outweigh the cost. Think of a sunroom as a true addition, not just a seasonal space. It’s where morning light meets evening calm, without the need to grab a sweater or swat a mosquito.
If Harbor Country is your escape, a place for weekends and warm-weather getaways, a deck may be all you need. Decks shine in the summer, with lower costs and faster build times that fit seasonal schedules. You’ll get more use out of it during peak months without over-investing in space you might not use year-round.
Sunrooms are a game-changer for homeowners who want to enjoy their space in every season. Whether you’re retired, working remotely, or hosting family in the fall and winter, a sunroom becomes a flexible, welcoming extension of your interior living space. It also provides better return on investment if you're spending more of the year here.
The right choice often comes down to how and when you use your home. Our design team can help you think through your priorities, entertaining, relaxing, adding value, or creating a four-season retreat, and develop a space that feels like it was always meant to be there.
If you’re torn between the breezy openness of a deck and the cozy versatility of a sunroom, you might not have to choose. Some of our favorite projects blend the two into the ultimate versatile outdoor living space.
One of our favorite recent projects features a stunning vaulted-ceiling sunrooms with panoramic windows, connected to a composite deck perfect for grilling and outdoor seating. The result? A multi-season retreat that transitions effortlessly from sunny summer hangouts to warm winter mornings with coffee and a view.
Combo projects offer flexibility and function. A deck gives you quick access to the outdoors and a space for entertaining, while the sunroom adds square footage and comfort year-round. Together, they create zones for living, relaxing, and hosting, without sacrificing aesthetics or flow. And because we’re a design-build firm, we plan both spaces together, ensuring that materials, sightlines, and finishes all work as one cohesive addition.
In a place like Harbor Country, where homes are often situated near the water or surrounded by wooded lots, zoning rules can shape what’s possible. Whether you’re planning a deck, a sunroom, or both, it’s important to consider setbacks, height restrictions, and how additions affect your lake view or your neighbor’s.
Peacock & Co. knows the local permitting landscape inside and out, from New Buffalo to St. Joseph and down to South Bend. We start every project by confirming what’s allowed on your specific property. That means checking for floodplain restrictions, shoreline ordinances, and architectural guidelines that might impact your plans.
One of the biggest stressors for homeowners is figuring out what permits are needed and how to get them. Our team handles this for you. From the first sketch to the final inspection, we work with local officials to ensure your deck or sunroom is fully compliant and beautifully executed.
At Peacock & Company, we believe that the best projects start with thoughtful planning. That’s why we use a design-build process—a more integrated, collaborative approach that ensures your vision, budget, and timeline are aligned from the beginning. We spend extra time upfront refining every detail, from the pitch of your sunroom roof to the exact placement of your deck stairs. The result? A build that’s efficient, beautiful, and free of mid-project surprises.
One of our biggest differentiators is our fixed-price quoting model. Unlike traditional contractors who estimate and adjust as they go, we give you a locked-in cost before we ever break ground. That means no budget creep, no vague allowances, and no unexpected “gotchas.”
Our clients tell us this peace of mind is one of the top reasons they choose us, especially for complex additions like decks and sunrooms where multiple materials, permits, and design choices are involved.
With a team of experienced in-house designers, our team is equipped to tackle unique architectural challenges and tailor solutions to your home’s style. Whether you’re dreaming of modern simplicity or classic coastal charm, we design with intention and build with precision.
Peacock & Company has helped homeowners all across South Bend and Michigan's Harbor Country create meaningful additions that improve their daily lives and increase their home’s long-term value.
Ready to take the next step? Reach out to schedule your design consultation and discover what’s possible, right where you are.