Our homes have taken on a new meaning in 2020. Now that we are spending an unprecedented amount of time at home, a screened-in porch can provide a little freedom, a change of scenery, from the front room or kitchen. A screened-in porch is a space that’s connected to your home and fully screened, allowing you to indulge and luxuriate without stepping out your front door. Turn the increased amount of time spent under your own roof into a gift with a screened-in porch!
So many amazing summer evenings are tainted, or even downright ruined, by the presence of mosquitoes and other bugs. You might sit outside and wish you could enjoy an evening cocktail with friends or read a book without being bitten. You might head outside for a midday summer lunch and start sweating before you touch your fork. In your screened-in porch, feel the beautiful evening breeze without the addition of flying pests; tuck in to your fresh summer salad without melting in the heat. Especially in the warmer months, screened-in porches can be a haven from the intense sun. Leave the sunscreen in the mudroom and enjoy summer warmth without worrying about a sunburn. All the benefits of being outside without truly leaving your home!
In the cooler months of fall and spring, a screened-in porch can put just enough distance between you and the great outdoors. Throw on your favorite layers and take advantage of the cool, refreshing air without subjecting yourself to the full outdoor experience. You will be in the unique position of being able to take full advantage of seasonal change when you choose a screened-in porch. You’ll thank yourself when you can enjoy an October sunset with a cup of warm tea and a book in your screened-in porch.
Perhaps the best part of a screened-in porch is the ability to be outside with increased privacy. Sitting in a screened-in porch can feel more comfortable than being fully exposed in a patio or yard. Take some relaxing time for yourself in the privacy of your home, while still benefiting from the delight of your own yard.
Need some inspiration? Patio Enclosures has tons of screened-in porch styles waiting to be discovered. You can even customize the screen frame colors and make the space truly fit your style. There are a few different kinds of roofs available for screened-in porches: gable (peaked, two roof pieces sloping in opposite directions), single slope (one roof piece sloping in a single direction), or under existing (using what is already part of the home). You can choose to have a knee wall that provides some privacy from the floor to about knee height, or perhaps a picket fence addition that mimics that of a yard. Like any other space in your home, a screened-in porch can be an opportunity to create a welcoming area that reflects your own unique style.
Are you more of a DIY person? Up for a challenge? Screen-in your existing porch! Here’s a video from Home Depot that helps explain that process. A perfect quarantine project for those who like a more hands-on approach.