9 Ways to Design a Screened Porch

You can have a very nice design of a screened porch by keeping to heart the following ways: consider the size and shape of the porch; consider the outer side design of the porch; consider the inner hallways and pathways inside the floor plan; consider having a built-in ceiling; consider the lighting; consider the adequacy of electric outlets; consider the wall height; consider the flooring; and, consider the availability of a ceiling fan.

A screened porch is a good addition to your house. It can add beauty to your home provided that is a well planned design. It is important to identify the things you need to give special attention and utmost consideration when building and designing a screened porch. Here are a number of ways of doing it:

Consider the size and shape of the porch

First and foremost, it is necessary to consider the size of your desired screened porch. To effectively create a floor plan, it is helpful to buy the pieces of furniture with which you would like to use inside your porch. This should be done before you make the essential building of the structure. To be able to identify the right shape of your porch, you need to use a string to create an outline. This will also allow you to have a more precise measurement of your porch.

Consider the outer side design of the porch

The outer design of the porch should possess a resemblance in the characteristic of the home. The exterior details of the roof, the overhang and the roof pitch should fit your existing home design.

Consider the inner hallways and pathways inside the floor plan

Should you want to have a door directing from the porch to your yard, make sure you consider the interior hallway or the pathway. Normally, a door would occupy about 15 square feet of space in your porch.

Consider having a built-in ceiling

It is a must to use a ceiling that is vaulted type inside your screened porch. It gives a spacious effect on the room. A built-in ceiling basically brings about a cooler atmosphere because of the proper ventilation it provides.

Consider the lighting

The room should have soft and indirect lights. Ample source of illumination is necessary when doing any type of activity inside the porch. Artificial lighting is needed when natural light is almost close to impossible to provide especially during night time. To save on electricity costs, it is good to install skylights to allow natural light to come in during the day.

Consider the adequacy of electric outlets

There should be enough electrical outlets in the different areas of the porch. This is useful for your ceiling fan, television, and other appliances needed. It is advisable to refrain from using extension cords as this imposes high risk of danger to everyone.

Consider the wall height

You should bear in mind that the height of your walls should be tall enough to provide you with a sufficient view of the outdoors. The height of your wall should be about 9 feet.

Consider the flooring

Your flooring should be excellent in function and in style. It is also very important that it is protected from any damage due to weather conditions.

Consider the availability of a ceiling fan

A ceiling fan should be available inside your screened porch. It is something that you shouldn't forget to install. This is very useful during hot summer days.

Your screen porch should be fully equipped with all the essential things to make it a comfortable and practical room addition.

5 Common Types of Patio Enclosures and Their Differences in Usability and Durability

Here are the most common types of patio enclosures available in the market: screen room, sunroom, solid lattice patio cover, open lattice patio cover, and sun porch.

Patio enclosures are mainly designed for the purpose of providing a beautiful view and feel of the outdoors, at the same time providing protection and shade from the sun, rain and even snow. A patio enclosure is multipurpose aiming to suit every need of the household. Below are the various types of enclosures with their versatile usage.

Screen room

This is a good choice for houses located in areas with many warm months. It is also known as gazebo. Its function is to provide protection from insects, yet, allows enough ventilation to come in through the screens of the room.

Sunroom

It gives you access to landscape views of the outdoors. It can be built using these three common materials: wood, aluminum, and vinyl. Wood is a good insulator and is a good choice for a sunroom. A vinyl material is also suitable for a sun room since it can resist corrosion and rust. A sunroom made of aluminum is also a good preference because, its material is very durable and won't easily deteriorate. The glass used in sun rooms can either be a straight type of glass or curved glass. This type of patio enclosure is normally having an octagonal shape or a round shape design.

Solid lattice patio cover

This is recommended for areas with cooler climates, but, do not experience snow frequently. It uses aluminum material to partially cover the place. Solid lattice patio covers project a wooden look since the aluminum is embossed with cedar or made with a wooden finish. Solid patios require less maintenance which makes it a good choice too.

Open lattice patio cover

This is an open type patio cover made of aluminum too. It is intended for locations which is all-year round sunny. Foliage and other plants are most suitable for this patio cover. Letting them grow along the lattice frames would give you the perfect shade you need.

Sun porch

This is most useful for protecting your vehicles at your porch. Aside from that, it can also function as an alternative to a greenhouse. This can be done with the use of lumber like redwood, cedar, mahogany, and the like, along with glass panes and screens to cover the sides. It follows the design of a conservatory too.

With the various choices of patio enclosures available, the ultimate goal for you is to choose the best in terms of quality. Pick the one that will not only suit your style, but, go for the one that can withstand different weather conditions.