When it comes to buying or building houses, 90 percent of homeowners will say something to this effect: “We sure would love to have some outdoor living space!”
Twenty-five years ago, nobody talked about “outdoor living space.” Sure, porches and patios were a “thing” – but nobody spent much time thinking about flexing between the indoors and outdoors. You were either inside or outside.
Today, people are searching for hybrid spaces that allow them to be outside while still enjoying the comforts of being inside. The classic screened porch is perfect for this purpose.
5 Tips for a Better Screened Porch
If you’re building or renovating a screened porch, it’s important to plan ahead. Here are several useful suggestions that are sure to leave you feeling happy and satisfied:
- Choose the Right Location
Before you get into the intricate design elements of your screened porch, think about the location. (If you’re adding onto an existing home, you probably have limited options. However, it’s still worth thinking through.)
“Deciding where to place your screen room can be crucial to your enjoyment of it later,” Jessica Bennett writes for Better Homes & Gardens. “First, consider the climate. A porch with a southern exposure is likely to get too hot in southern regions, whereas a northern exposure will likely be too chilly for homes in the North.”
You’ll also want to think about the views from the porch, privacy from surrounding neighbors, the direction of the breeze, the eventual placement of your grill/smoke, etc.
- Think About Materials
Think carefully about the materials you want to use. For flooring, wood is the most common option. However, we’ve also seen screened porches with concrete, brick, and tile. When it comes to the screen, you have options too. In addition to standard mesh, there’s also a tightly woven pollen-resistant screen that traps particles and lets in fewer allergens during the spring.
- Plan for the Elements
A screened porch is only worth using if it’s comfortable. Make sure you plan ahead for the elements – including intense heat and freezing cold temperatures. Here are some ways to offset the weather:
- Install a propane heater to keep your porch warm during the winter months. There are plenty of different styles, including freestanding propane heaters and ceiling-mounted options. Other options include space heaters and fireplaces.
- Install a ceiling fan to help circulate the air and create a cool breeze during the winter months. There are even misting fans for the dog days of summer.
Don’t wait until the first winter or summer hits to think about these options. Go ahead and integrate them into the design plan from the start. It’ll look and feel more natural. Plus, by getting them set up in advance, you’ll learn who you can call on to help keep them running; for example, a company like FSI Oil and Propane can make sure that you have enough fuel to keep your heater running during the cold evenings when you still want to sit outside.
- Include Space for Dining
There’s nothing better than enjoying a family meal outside on a porch. Whether it’s a late dinner on a warm summer evening or a freshly-prepared Sunday breakfast on a cool fall morning, screened porches are made for dining. Give yourself enough space to include a table and chairs.
If space is limited, consider getting a table with integrated “leaf” extensions. This allows you to keep the table small when not in use, but make it larger when it’s time to eat. Benches are also a great alternative to chairs.
- Make it an Extension of the Interior
A good screened porch feels like a natural extension of the interior of the home. It should feel like you’re still inside, while enjoying the fresh, cool outside air. You can accomplish this using a variety of techniques, including:
- Use plenty of windows and/or large sliding doors in between the porch and the house. This removes the illusion of barriers and helps the interior naturally feed into the exterior of the home.
- Consider using the same flooring from the inside to the outside. Again, this prevents unnecessary separation and establishes a sense of visual cohesiveness.
- Integrate interior decor elements into the screened porch. This includes furniture, artwork, and lighting.
When you think about your screened porch as an extension of the interior, it changes everything about the design.
Ready, Set, Design!
No two screened porches are the same. And isn’t that what makes them so great? You get to select the finishes and materials that are right for you. It’s your own space and it should reflect your individual tastes and unique needs. Let this article inspire you to cast a vision and take control over this project!
