Benefits and Problems With Screened-In Porches

When comparing enclosed spaces to level up your outdoor enjoyment, you’re probably leaning toward a screened-in porch. But there are some problems with screened-in porches you should know about. For some homeowners, they can be a dealbreaker. We’ll cover some pros and cons of screened-in porches and things you should consider in this article. 

What Is a Screened-In Porch?

A screened-in porch is an enclosed porch with screened windows and frames. They typically are attached to your home’s foundation and can be built from scratch or an existing structure like a porch or deck. Their screens are made from a mesh material, which can be anything from fiberglass to stainless steel. 

Benefits of Screened-In Porches

Many homeowners have already taken the plunge and built a screened-in porch they could cherish for decades. They have noteworthy benefits that can change how you enjoy the outdoors. Let’s look at a few reasons that make screened-in porches an in-demand addition for homeowners. 

Fresh Air

One of the reasons homeowners opt for a screened-in porch is you can still access the fresh air. Unlike other enclosed spaces like sunrooms, the screens from these porches allow you to sit outside without restricting airflow. And who doesn’t want a cozy little nook they can sit in to breathe fresh air without needing to go entirely outside? 

Increased Living Space

Since screened-in porches are enclosed spaces, they add to your home’s living space (plus, there are some cozy screened-in porch ideas to really add to your home’s charm). This is perfect if you like to entertain guests and want somewhere for them to hang out that’s not indoors, especially when hosting an outdoor party. 

Even if you’re not a huge fan of entertaining, it’s also an excellent place for you, your kids, or four-legged family members to enjoy the outdoors without being exposed to direct sunlight.

Keeps Pesky Bugs and Insects Out

As beautiful as nature is, its beauty comes with a price—the kind that likes to fly around. But with a screened-in porch, you aren’t constantly swatting away bugs and insects. Depending on where you stay, an enclosed porch might be the solution to you spending more time outside. 

Problems With Screened-In Porches

Screened-in porches can be a game-changing addition to any home, but it’s not perfect. You’ll need to be aware of some problems with screened-in porches before planning your next home addition project. We’ll cover some of the challenges to keep in mind below. 

Maintenance

Screened-in porches aren’t a low-maintenance porch option. One of the main components of your porch you’ll need to take care of is its screen. The screen allows you to sit on your porch and enjoy the constant airflow without worrying about rain, bugs, insects, or animals pestering you. So, inspecting your screen for rips and tears is vital to ensure it can function correctly. The last thing you want is to find out the hard way that a few bugs got in through holes you hadn’t noticed. 

Besides your screen, your porch is another area you’ll have to clean regularly, whether you’re using it frequently or not. This also includes taking care of your patio furniture. While it’s not in the direct elements, you’ll still need to clean it every few months to remove any dirt, dust, and debris accumulated over time.  

Additionally, you’ll need to check its framing, door, and sealants to ensure it’s functioning properly and reseal your floor every few years, depending on its material. There are ways you can cut back on some of its maintenance requirements, like choosing a more durable screen type and a flooring material that doesn’t need frequent sealing. 

Not Best for Year-Round Use

Screened-in porches aren’t built for year-round use, unlike four season sunrooms with insulation and an HVAC system to help withstand the hottest and coldest weather. They’re best used in early spring and summer. Depending on where you live, you can also enjoy it well into fall. 

Cost

Another key problem with screened-in porches is their cost. Compared to other enclosed spaces, it’s more budget-friendly since screened-in porches cost around $2,000 to $2,800 if you’re building off an existing structure like a porch or deck in good shape. However, if you’re building your screened-in porch from scratch, expect to add about $4,600 to $22,000 to the total cost. 

Besides the initial cost, the recurring cost of maintaining your porch can add up over time. The average cost to rescreen a porch is $2,900, with the actual price depending on the size of your porch and the screen material. 

Things to Consider Before Building a Screened-In Porch

Now that we’ve covered the pros and cons of screened-in porches, let’s look at some important factors to consider. These will help you determine what type of screened-in porch to build that’s right for you and your family. We’ll cover a few of them below. 

Screen Materials

Not all screened-in porches are made the same. You can choose from different types of screens for porches, each best for different budgets and needs. Here are some of the most common screen materials you can choose from: 

• Fiberglass: Fiberglass is the most popular screen material that homeowners use for their porches. They’re the most wallet-friendly option, durable, don’t easily rust, corrode, or stain, great for keeping insects out, flexible, and offer versatile styling. However, they can easily tear from sharp objects and fade over time. 

• Extra-fine fiberglass: Extra-fine fiberglass screens are similar to regular fiberglass screens, except it has a finer mesh that offers protection from smaller bugs and insects.

• Aluminum: These porch screens are more durable than fiberglass and offer better visibility when looking out. They also cause glares, and their uncoated versions can easily rust and corrode.

• Polyester: Polyester screens are coated with vinyl, forming a protective barrier that helps them resist punctures and tears, doubling as a pet-resistant screen. They’re also corrosion-resistant and can withstand direct sunlight, perfect for hot climates. 

• Solar: Solar screens are made from fiberglass or polyester material. Its primary purpose is to limit the UV rays entering your porch, adding a little privacy and decreasing heat and direct sunlight. 

• Copper: Copper screens are flexible, resistant to corrosion, don’t rust, long-lasting, and work great to keep insects out. One thing to note about copper is that it’ll lose its reddish-brown color over time, eventually taking on a greenish-blue hue like the Statue of Liberty. 

• Brass: With its golden color, brass screens are a luxurious option that’s less likely to break under tension, isn’t likely to wear away from friction, and is a long-lasting solution. They’re also vulnerable to saltwater, which can cause them to degrade and discolor eventually. 

• Stainless steel: Stainless-steel porch screens are resistant to rust and corrosion and are low-maintenance but can cause bright glares due to their naturally shiny composition.

• Bronze: Bronze screens are stiff, resistant to rust and corrosion, stronger than copper, and aren’t affected by saltwater. While it is long-lasting, it also discolors over time.

Functionality

One of the key problems of screened-in porches is you can’t use them year-round. While that’s a challenge, the real question is: How do you actually want to use it? 

A screened-in porch should suit your needs if you only want to entertain guests during the summer. If you want an enclosed space you can enjoy throughout the year, a screened-in porch might not be your best option. When weighing its pros and cons, make sure you take its functionality into account. 

Location

Your screened-in porch location can play a big role in how it’s used. If you don’t have an existing structure like a porch or deck you want to use, consider where you want to build it. If you’re looking for a private place to relax, you might want to build it in the back of your house. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for a screened-in porch. What’s the best place for you and your family depends on what you need it for and how you want it to fit into your home’s flow. 

Another factor to consider is where you live. Screened-in porches are best suited in areas with moderate temperatures year-round, like coastal and southern climates. This doesn’t mean you can’t get one if you stay in places with more extreme temperatures, but it does mean you’ll need to be more strategic in using it.

Your Budget

While building a screened-in porch costs $2,400 on average, not every project is the same, and it may require additional labor or more high-quality material to get the job done. For example, if you want to use your screened-in porch to take your pets outdoors, you might consider a pet-resistant screen, which can cost more than one that can’t withstand pet claws. 

Before deciding what you want, consider your budget and how much you’re willing to spend on this project and see where you can save and splurge to get the porch you want. 

Mariel Loveland contributed to this piece.