Alternatives to screen-in porches

[Anonymous]

DH and I would like to build one but we are getting cold feet based on prices (north of $50-60k).

What are some alternatives we can consider? We don't have anything in the back of the house so we were thinking a simple deck or paver patio.

Maybe we can build some sort of covered patio/deck that would keep bugs away? Welcome to creative ideas.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps not what you want to hear, but our screened-in porch is the favorite room in the house (and it's not even the newer, higher-end kind with a fireplace and tv).

Our deck gets zero use, because mosquitoes.

[Anonymous]

We hemmed and hawed for two years and the prices just went up, but we finally pulled the trigger last year and I can tell you it was worth every penny. We spend more time in that room than any other - it's right off the kitchen and so when we entertain it's a lifesaver too.

Probably not what you want to hear but if the screen porch is what you really want, save up for it rather than something less expensive that doesn't fulfill your desire.

[Anonymous]

Why is a screened in porch 50-60K? Is the screen made of diamonds?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps not what you want to hear, but our screened-in porch is the favorite room in the house (and it's not even the newer, higher-end kind with a fireplace and tv).

Our deck gets zero use, because mosquitoes.

My deck is my favorite, but it's a second story deck (steps to yard, but door is off the second story), which is why I'm told mosquitoes aren't as bad there. Plus we have a fan in the gazebo part of the deck. On the main portion we use a solo stove (heat protection pad underneath).

I don't see any reason to get it screened in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is a screened in porch 50-60K? Is the screen made of diamonds?

Not OP but I hate to break it to you, screened-in porches from scratch are going to cost in the $40-60k range unless you know of a builder that would do it for less. I'm talking a simple 16'x16' one.

That was my experience.

For reference, here's a local place that does it.

https://www.designbuildersmd.com/blog/how-much-does-a-screened-in-porch-cost-in-2021

[Anonymous]

I'm going to be a dissenting voice here...to all of the folks speaking praises, how much of the year do you use it? We have a 3-season sunroom which functions the same as a screened porch, and only find it habitable from May to September.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to be a dissenting voice here...to all of the folks speaking praises, how much of the year do you use it? We have a 3-season sunroom which functions the same as a screened porch, and only find it habitable from May to September.

We have a sun room that's on the side of the house. Our screened in porch is at the back of the house, exiting the kitchen area. We use the porch much more often.

[Anonymous]

I think the best approach is either suck up and pay for a screened porch, or get a large canopy with screen for the backyard. Anything in between is a waste of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is a screened in porch 50-60K? Is the screen made of diamonds?

It’s not the screens, it’s the roof. It has to be built to withstand snow, major storms, etc. In Florida you can just tack on a “Florida room” but you can’t do that here because of snow load.

[Anonymous]

Re: mosquitoes, a fan makes a huge difference. It’s nicer to be on a screened porch so you don’t have to have the fan blowing the whole time, but a fan really makes a huge difference. When you’re eating, a fan blowing low across the ground towards people’s ankles really helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to be a dissenting voice here...to all of the folks speaking praises, how much of the year do you use it? We have a 3-season sunroom which functions the same as a screened porch, and only find it habitable from May to September.

March to November. I'm sitting on mine with a cup of coffee as I type.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to be a dissenting voice here...to all of the folks speaking praises, how much of the year do you use it? We have a 3-season sunroom which functions the same as a screened porch, and only find it habitable from May to September.

March to November. I'm sitting on mine with a cup of coffee as I type.

Same time frame, PP with a large deck and gazebo, but not screened in.

[Anonymous]

We have a deck on our house and it’s on the second story so I guess the mosquitoes aren’t particularly bad up there. We have an umbrella for shade and never really needed anything more than that. It’s awesome. Our patio on the ground floor, however, is completely unusable during the summer. So it probably depends how bad the mosquitoes are and how much you like to be outside. We have so many mild days from fall to spring where there are no mosquitoes out anyway.

[Anonymous]

We just added a screened porch with Sunspace windows and included a gas fireplace and TV. We expect to be able to use it year-round. It is the most glorious space. That said, it was well north of $60K. But no regrets!