Screened-in Porch or Sunroom?
What is best for you and your home!
Original Content by Carl Johnson
Enjoying the outdoors from the comfort of your own home is one of the best parts about living in North Carolina. From beautiful large shaded trees to welcoming front porches, North Carolina homes are designed to let you relax in nature. But as the direct sun becomes too hot, screened-in porches and sunrooms are the perfect options to stay cool while taking in the outdoor view. Be sure to check with the planning department and see if you need a permit to construct your new structure. Unpermitted space does affect the value, so take the time to be sure that your investment yields the most when you decide to sell your home.
Here are some questions to ask yourself and information to consider if you don’t know whether you want a screened-in porch or a sunroom for your home.
What is the difference between a screened-in porch vs a sunroom?
The main difference between the two structures is how they are built and insulated. According to handyman.com, “while screened porches are often simple enclosures built on top of an existing patio or porch, sunrooms are true extensions of the home."
Enjoying the outdoors from the comfort of your own home is one of the best parts about living in North Carolina. From beautiful large shaded trees to welcoming front porches, North Carolina homes are designed to let you relax in nature. But as the direct sun becomes too hot, screened-in porches and sunrooms are the perfect options to stay cool while taking in the outdoor view. Be sure to check with the planning department and see if you need a permit to construct your new structure. Unpermitted space does affect the value, so take the time to be sure that your investment yields the most when you decide to sell your home.
Here are some questions to ask yourself and information to consider if you don’t know whether you want a screened-in porch or a sunroom for your home.
What is the difference between a screened-in porch vs a sunroom?
The main difference between the two structures is how they are built and insulated. According to handyman.com, “while screened porches are often simple enclosures built on top of an existing patio or porch, sunrooms are true extensions of the home."
Screened Porch | Photo Credit: Family Handyman
A sunroom, also known as a three-season room, is built with HVAC and electrical, typically with large floor to ceiling windows on three sides giving maximum sunlight, and can be enjoyed all year long. A screened-in porch does not offer as much protection from the elements and can be used more seasonally and weather permitting.
Screened Porch | Photo Credit: Becraft Plus
What costs are there to consider?
For both the screened-in porch and sunroom option it is important to consider the existing structure when looking at costs. If you have a good structured covered porch or framed deck already in place, your costs are significantly lower. When building from scratch for a sunroom considerations have to be made for foundations, flooring, roofing, electrical and all other aspects since you are building a new room for your home. It is recommended to have a contractor check out your options first to make sure permits and structures are up to code for your area before beginning work.
Overall the screened-in porch is the most affordable option out of the two. If your home has a solid frame structure and foundation for your existing covered porch or deck, a simple DIY of building screened frames to insert into the opening above the railing to ceiling can make your area usable as a screened-in option. You can also have it professionally converted from a covered porch to a screened in one using a contractor who will build custom frames which can be removable or permanent, give options on screen materials such as durability and color, and other overall needs for the porch such as new gutters, flooring, and railings.
For both the screened-in porch and sunroom option it is important to consider the existing structure when looking at costs. If you have a good structured covered porch or framed deck already in place, your costs are significantly lower. When building from scratch for a sunroom considerations have to be made for foundations, flooring, roofing, electrical and all other aspects since you are building a new room for your home. It is recommended to have a contractor check out your options first to make sure permits and structures are up to code for your area before beginning work.
Overall the screened-in porch is the most affordable option out of the two. If your home has a solid frame structure and foundation for your existing covered porch or deck, a simple DIY of building screened frames to insert into the opening above the railing to ceiling can make your area usable as a screened-in option. You can also have it professionally converted from a covered porch to a screened in one using a contractor who will build custom frames which can be removable or permanent, give options on screen materials such as durability and color, and other overall needs for the porch such as new gutters, flooring, and railings.
Three Season Room | Photo Credit: Becraft Plus
How will the new space affect the curb appeal of my home?
The finished product of a sunroom and screened-in porch can add great curb appeal to a home when done correctly. It is important to keep in mind matching the current colors, materials, and style of your home as you add on the new structure. You want to make sure to blend the new additions exterior and even its interior to your home as much of the inside is visible to the outside.
For screened-in porches great high end fiberglass screens are now a great option, don’t think about your grandparents screens which would rust, get hard and sharp, and rip easily! These new fiberglass screens vary in thickness for durability, color, and density in various degrees to depend on how much light you want to let it.
When it comes to sunrooms, it is important to have high quality windows that are energy efficient. You want to be able to protect your HVAC from overuse as the beautiful floor to ceiling sunroom windows let in generous light. Energy efficient windows will let in the sunshine without the heat!
The finished product of a sunroom and screened-in porch can add great curb appeal to a home when done correctly. It is important to keep in mind matching the current colors, materials, and style of your home as you add on the new structure. You want to make sure to blend the new additions exterior and even its interior to your home as much of the inside is visible to the outside.
For screened-in porches great high end fiberglass screens are now a great option, don’t think about your grandparents screens which would rust, get hard and sharp, and rip easily! These new fiberglass screens vary in thickness for durability, color, and density in various degrees to depend on how much light you want to let it.
When it comes to sunrooms, it is important to have high quality windows that are energy efficient. You want to be able to protect your HVAC from overuse as the beautiful floor to ceiling sunroom windows let in generous light. Energy efficient windows will let in the sunshine without the heat!
Sunroom | Photo Credit: Becraft Plus
Key additions to consider…
Ceiling fans! For both screened-in porches and sunrooms a ceiling fan is a great option you want to consider. To help get the perfect warm summer breeze a simple ceiling fan is a must have. This option may already be installed on your current porch or if it is only a ceiling light you definitely want to consult with a licensed electrician about adding a fan, it is a cost you won’t regret.
Tile flooring is another option to consider for both the screened-in porch and sunroom. It works naturally to keep the floor and room cooler and is easy to keep clean.
Door to the outside. For ease of access to your backyard, you want to consider not closing in the existing door. You can work to make sure the new door is screened or glass to match the rest of the work you are doing. Adding a pet door is a fun option if you have the use for one, so your furry friend can enjoy the new addition along with you while still using the outside.
Blinds or shades? You may also want to consider adding blinds for both the screened-in porch and sunroom additions. Having the option to pull down a blind to block early and late night sun glaring through can help with temperature as well as allowing you to maximize the rooms full usage. Blind also add a level for privacy if needed.
Outside landscape. If your porch or room feels like an exposed fishtank to you, you can look at working the outside landscape to give some protection and privacy. Tall shrubs, trees, bushes, and even large growth perennials can be grown along the sides that will give you privacy year after year while adding to great curb appeal. You can even consider some type of privacy shield on the side/s of the porch.
Ceiling fans! For both screened-in porches and sunrooms a ceiling fan is a great option you want to consider. To help get the perfect warm summer breeze a simple ceiling fan is a must have. This option may already be installed on your current porch or if it is only a ceiling light you definitely want to consult with a licensed electrician about adding a fan, it is a cost you won’t regret.
Tile flooring is another option to consider for both the screened-in porch and sunroom. It works naturally to keep the floor and room cooler and is easy to keep clean.
Door to the outside. For ease of access to your backyard, you want to consider not closing in the existing door. You can work to make sure the new door is screened or glass to match the rest of the work you are doing. Adding a pet door is a fun option if you have the use for one, so your furry friend can enjoy the new addition along with you while still using the outside.
Blinds or shades? You may also want to consider adding blinds for both the screened-in porch and sunroom additions. Having the option to pull down a blind to block early and late night sun glaring through can help with temperature as well as allowing you to maximize the rooms full usage. Blind also add a level for privacy if needed.
Outside landscape. If your porch or room feels like an exposed fishtank to you, you can look at working the outside landscape to give some protection and privacy. Tall shrubs, trees, bushes, and even large growth perennials can be grown along the sides that will give you privacy year after year while adding to great curb appeal. You can even consider some type of privacy shield on the side/s of the porch.
Sunroom | Photo Credit: Houzz
So many options!
In the end, it is up to you and your home's design flow on whether a screened-in porch or a sunroom would be best! The benefits of either adds to your lifestyle and only can bring added curb appeal and value to your home as well as added enjoyment. There are both costly and affordable options to consider and can be as simple or complex as you want it to be.
Overall, the North Carolina sun is calling you outdoors and a sunroom or screened-on porch is just the place to be. See a home you like? Don’t know what to do next? Call Carl Johnson Real Estate and we will help you find your dream home. CLICK HERE to contact us and learn how we will help you.
In the end, it is up to you and your home's design flow on whether a screened-in porch or a sunroom would be best! The benefits of either adds to your lifestyle and only can bring added curb appeal and value to your home as well as added enjoyment. There are both costly and affordable options to consider and can be as simple or complex as you want it to be.
Overall, the North Carolina sun is calling you outdoors and a sunroom or screened-on porch is just the place to be. See a home you like? Don’t know what to do next? Call Carl Johnson Real Estate and we will help you find your dream home. CLICK HERE to contact us and learn how we will help you.
