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Yes, it can be worth screening a porch if you live in an area with beautiful weather, since it allows you to enjoy your outdoor space longer in the spring and summer. The additional protected space may even attract more prospective buyers if you intend to sell—especially if you add seasonal features, like a ceiling fan for summer or a heater to winterize your screened porch.

Yes, enclosing a patio to create a sunroom or three-season room is often a good idea that adds value to your home. This project increases your home's usable square footage and creates a versatile space for relaxing or entertaining that is filled with natural light and can be used in various weather conditions. Homeowners may see an average return on investment (ROI) of around 70%. The final value added will depend on factors such as the quality of the materials, the level of finish, and the amount of yard space that remains after the enclosure.

There are many materials to choose from, including picket fencing, wood slats, galvanized metal skirting, dog-ear fence panels, scallop wood fence panels, bamboo screens, and other decorative screens. You can search for materials at local big box stores like Home Depot or scour online home improvement sites. Good search terms to use are fencing, skirting, and privacy panels.

The cost to screen in a porch depends on whether you are adding screens to an existing structure or building a new one from scratch. Adding screens to an existing porch costs about $5 to $7 per square foot, with a national average cost of around $2,800. For example, screening a 12-by-12-foot (144-square-foot) porch would likely cost between $700 and $1,000. If you are building a new screened-in porch, the cost is substantially higher. A new 12-by-12-foot screened-in porch can cost between $6,400 and $18,300, while a new 14-by-16-foot one averages around $11,000. The final price will vary based on the size of the porch, labor costs, and the materials you choose.