Are you tossing around the idea of having a screened porch installed at your home? Screened porches offer a lot of benefits for families wanting to expand their outdoor living space without some of the hassles of being outside. Here is a brief article detailing the pros and cons of a screened-in porch!
Pros
-Increased Outdoor Space & Enjoyment
First and foremost, screened porches expand your outdoor living space in a unique way! There is now a wide variety of durable outdoor furniture available that makes it easy to furnish your screened area as attractively as the rest of your home. Your screened porch can be used for dining, entertainment, relaxation, and more! Because a screened-in porch also offers more protection from the elements (such as shelter from rain and sun), you can spend more time outside throughout the warmer seasons.
-Cleaner Area
Anyone with a deck or patio knows how quickly seasonal debris can accumulate and require cleaning! Leaves, twigs, dirt, acorns and more can pile up before you know it. Pollen can build up on furniture. While a screened porch will still need to be cleaned occasionally, the screen will prevent a lot of debris from coming in and requiring excess cleaning.
-Increased Curb Appeal and Home Value
It is undeniable that home buyers love homes with nice outdoor living areas! A screened porch might just be the feature that draws someone to your home. A screened porch can bring a lot of character to a backyard by adding depth and a focal point.
-Fewer Bugs and Critters
A screened porch can drastically decrease the number of bugs and critters that will invade your outside space! If you enjoy dining outside or live in an area with mosquitos/other invasive insects, this is a wonderful benefit.
-More Outdoor Features/Electronics
Depending on how you choose to design your screened porch, it is possible to have more added features like an outdoor television, furniture, sound system, and decorations.
Cons
-Blocked Nature Views
Since a screened porch does have screen surrounding it, you will have a somewhat obscured view of your backyard and beyond. If sitting outside to enjoy the view is what’s most important to you, a covered deck or patio may be a better option for you than a screened-in area.
-Screen Maintenance
Depending on where you live and whether you have pets or other animals around, your contractor will do his best to select the best screen material for your project. That being said, screen is not indestructible and will most likely have holes in it from time to time. This can be annoying to say the least! Common causes of holes can be pets, chewing insects (such as wasps, grasshoppers, and crickets), hail, and rocks thrown during lawncare. Selecting high grade aluminum screen or pet screen will help to cut down on screen damage. Spraying down screen with insect repellent can also help to prevent pesky invaders.
-Expense
Building a screened porch can be more costly than building an open porch. However, if you won’t enjoy your outdoor space because of bugs or mess, investing in a screened space is worth the money!
Hopefully this quick list is helpful as you determine whether a screened porch will be right for you!
