"We added a patio enclosure to part of our deck area at a country house that we own. The experience was extraordinary from the minute that we met with Andrew Mulichak, our design consultant, through to the completion of the project. At the point that we signed the contract, a completion estimate of 10 weeks was given. Three weeks after we signed the contract, we received a call that the patio enclosure was ready to be installed. The install team took a half day to get the site ready, and then 1.5 days to complete the project. We absolutely love the end result and it came out even better than what we thought when we signed the contract. The advantage of working with Patio Enclosures is that this is their primary business activity and they control the entire supply chain. Based on our experience, I would highly recommend them for any type of comparable project."
"Bart responded quickly to my request for an estimate to seal coat my driveway. He came and said he could do the work in 2 to 3 weeks. Within 2 weeks he set the date and time. He arrived on time and did his work carefully and efficiently. He answered all my questions. Very satisfied!!"
"Dan and his team of Clinton and Julie worked very hard installing a stone step to exit a room on the South side of my house. Julie also pruned a large and unwieldy Rhododendron in my front yard. Dan kept me informed as to when they would arrive and they were very polite and considerate. I am happy with the results. The new step is a wedge-shaped stone that will drain rain water and it provides a comfortable distance for stepping to the outside of the house."
"D&D was quick to call us back, to walk the site and give us a quote, they started the job earlier than they thought they could, and worked all day/ every day to finish the job. The yard was raked, leveled, and seeded . Dustin is a knowledgeable professional, we couldn't be happier with the install. We were so pleased with his work that we hired him to do some extra grading for us."
"Cody & crew were great to work with! Arrived on site on schedule, great communication thru the project, and I was left with an outstanding product. I look forward to working with them again!"
A screened-in porch requires maintenance to keep the screens clean and in good shape, and you may have to do some screen repair or replacement from time to time. A screen porch isn’t an all-season porch, so the weather can get in, including wind and rain.
An enclosed porch can be considered a living space if it meets certain criteria. For instance, it must be completely enclosed with solid walls and a roof. It should also have a heating and cooling source similar to the rest of the home. Finally, the porch should have direct access to and from the interior of your house.
A solarium is a luxury addition to a home and can be an excellent breakfast area or reading space, but that doesn't mean there aren't disadvantages. For one, since the room is made of glass it can look dirty very quickly. Another disadvantage is solariums are notoriously hard to balance temperature and will most likely significantly increase your heating and air conditioning bill. Unlike a greenhouse addition to a house, a solarium won’t help you grow as many plants.
Several types of porches are available to meet your needs and style preferences. Some common porch types include:
Porticos are essentially a roof over a walkway leading to the home's front entrance.
Sunrooms are closed-in porches that are an extension of the house with glass or plastic panels that allow optimal sunlight.
Wraparound porches extend around the entire home, or at least the front and one side, and offer multiple entrances to the house.
Back porches are an extension of the home’s floor into the outdoors. These offer more protection and privacy than a deck.
A screened-in porch can add value to your home, with a potential return on investment (ROI) of 70% to 84%. The actual value added depends heavily on several factors. Climate is a major consideration; homes in warm, humid, or buggy areas (like the Southern regions) see the highest ROI. In colder climates, the value is diminished as the unconditioned space is unusable for much of the year. Other factors that influence the return include the quality of materials and construction, the size of the porch, and the local real estate market. While a screened-in porch can enhance curb appeal and attract potential buyers, it is not included in the home's total square footage for appraisal purposes.
The Waldoboro, ME homeowners’ guide to patio services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Make your patio a calm retreat or a tropical getaway with these 11 best patio plants. Many varieties do well in the shade, while others prefer full sun. You’ll find pet-friendly patio plants and fruits you can use in your favorite recipes.
Deck vs. patio — what’s the difference and which one is the better choice? Dive into the pros, cons, and more, and make the perfect decision for your home.
