As the weather turns warmer, and the sun-filled days get longer this spring season, there are a lot of home modifications to undertake to not only prepare the residents for the hot, blazing summer months ahead, but also boost the curb appeal and overall comfort of your living space for many years to come. One of the most popular tasks is building a screened-in porch, a small room often located in front of the entrance of a building. Here are the benefits of a screened-in porch.
What Is a Screened-In Porch?
Before diving into the endless reasons to build a screened-in porch in front of your home, it is important to understand what this outdoor space looks like. A similar structure to a traditional porch, a screened-in porch is located on or near the exterior of the house and enclosed with window screens to keep leaves, spiders, insects, birds and other debris from entering the home or area inside the screened structure. A window screen is commonly a mesh made of metal or plastic wire stretched in a frame of wood or metal. A screen door is also added to facilitate entry.
A screened-in porch can be built in a technique similar to that of a standard pole barn, with the screen installed after the structure of walls has been completed, and the roof has been constructed. While a screened porch is often attached to the house, once in a while, it is built separately to make the construction process a bit simpler and hassle-free.
Why Build a Screened Porch?
A patio or deck is useful when the weather is warm and the skies are clear. However, it would be a lot nicer to be able to use the outdoor space year-round. Even if you do not have an existing porch to cover with a screen, adding a screened-in porch to your living space is simple, accessible and easily one of the most cost-effective home improvement projects to appreciate the gorgeous outdoors from the comfort of your home.
1. You will have a second family room. A screened-in porch can function as an additional living area to a residential space. Thanks to impressive advances in outdoor furniture and household technology, spending time with your family on the porch can be a great source of comfort and a bonding experience. You can also schedule regular game nights outdoors. Whether you bring a deck of cards or set up a whole television and video game console, you can relish in the precious moments of family time without a hitch regardless of the weather. If it gets a little too chilly, for example, you can simply bring out a portable heater to feel warm. In a nutshell, screened-in porches provide homeowners with an excellent location for a fun, impromptu family gathering.
2. You can be outside without having to deal with pesky bugs. Nothing interrupts al fresco dining quite like a swarm of flies does. Spending most of the meal swatting insects away to avoid getting painful, itchy or burning bites is not the ideal scenario. It is the same with wanting to sit outside alone and wade through a thrilling book on a beautiful, quiet spring day and then finding yourself among buzzing bees. The good news is that one of the most relevant advantages of building a screened-in porch for your home improvement project is being free of flies, bees, mosquitoes and other insects from morning to evening hours. This means you will have all the cool, fresh air you want during a bright, breezy day but without having to worry about flying pests leaving welts on your skin.
3. You will have added privacy to your residential space. A mesh screen or latticework is not entirely opaque, but it can still create a sufficient barrier and add a bit of privacy to the outdoor space, making a screened-in porch ideal for occupants looking for a hint of seclusion without being a full-blown hermit. Once in a while, a curious neighbor will pass by and stare at your porch to know what is going on or admire the beautiful exterior, so you will definitely want to wind up with some extra privacy in front of the entrance of the house. It also makes your outdoor space a perfect place to take a break from household chores and get a bit of peace and quiet since you have screened walls.
4. You will boost the curb appeal of your home. Building a screened-in porch will definitely add charm and architectural interest to the exterior of your residential space, but it will also increase the overall curb appeal of your home, which makes a significant difference when it comes to selling a property. Since many homes across the country are built to be flat and one-dimensional on the posterior side, it is up to owners to enhance the look of the outdoor space. A screened-in porch creates a focal point and adds depth to a backyard.
5. You will increase the property value of your home. A screened-in porch allows prospective buyers or renters to picture themselves living in that space, making them more inclined to look inside. A home’s curb appeal matters because it entices buyers to inquire further about your home. Not every single property in the real estate market has this additional feature, which is why installing one will give you an edge over your competition.
Moreover, a well-built screened-in porch can serve as an added living space for homes, and homeowners can sometimes use their screened-in porches for climate control. For example, when a power outage prevents the use of the air conditioning unit, a screened-in porch can offer a cool, drafty location for relaxation and sleeping. Any well-designed remodeling translates into higher property values over time.
How to Decorate Your Screened-In Porch
With the right furniture and amenities, you can take your screened-in porch to another level. Some homeowners fill their porches with common items found indoors, such as tables, chairs, ceiling fans, hardwood floors, electrical outlets and even built-in furniture and plumbing. To add drama to the ambiance of the space, install lighting fixtures and speakers. To create a serene, lounge-worthy environment for year-round relaxing, add custom flooring with multiple, brightly patterned rugs. A collapsible bistro table paired with chairs, on the other hand, will add a space-saving dining area to your porch. You may also go bigger with a firepit, a television or even a hot tub. You do not have to limit yourself to a few, simple pieces of furniture in your space. However, make sure that all the items serve their purpose and will not make the outdoor space uncomfortable or even convoluted.
Let AllPoint Construction Help Achieve Your Dream Exterior
Breathe new life into your home with a top-rated exterior makeover. Turn to AllPoint Construction for all home improvement needs in and around Allen Park, MI, including screened-in porch and deck build, roofing replacement, siding installation, gutter repair and more. Our experienced professionals are committed to providing the comfort and efficiency every client needs through industry-leading products and outstanding customer service. Call us today at (734) 526-4955, or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment or request a free, no-obligation estimate.
