The Benefits of a Screened Porch

Decks and patios are great for when the weather is clear and warm; but wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy them year round? By creating a screened porch, you’re opening that outdoor space for your use all year long, which means you’re getting more out of your home—and that’s a goal everyone should aim for. Even if you don’t have an existing porch to screen, adding a screened porch to your home is simple, and easily one of the more cost-effective ways of getting to enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of your porch.

BE OUTSIDE, MINUS THE BUGS

Arguably one of the most relevant advantages to having a screened-in porch is being free of mosquitos and other pests. You’ll still have all the fresh air you can handle, but the screens will prevent any flying insects from bothering you and your family.

YOU’LL HAVE A SECOND FAMILY ROOM

Why not have a game night outdoors? Whether you bring a deck of cards or a whole TV and video game console setup, you can easily enjoy family time on a screened porch regardless of the weather. If it gets a little too chilly, you could bring a portable space heater with you! Screened-in porches provide an excellent location for an impromptu family fun night.

A NEW PLACE TO ENTERTAIN GUESTS

Who says a porch is just a porch? Enclosing your porch turns it into a functional outdoor living space—perfect for inviting friends and family over for get-togethers. This kind of gathering is great because you’ll be able to enjoy fresh air without technically leaving the comfort of your home. Depending on your setup, you could also host a BBQ, which is great because you’ll get all the benefits of the cookout without any of the bugs!

A PLACE TO BE ZEN WITH ADDED PRIVACY

Although mesh screens are hardly opaque, they still create a barrier for added privacy. This makes screened porches ideal for those who are looking for a little more privacy without going full-blown hermit. Any curious passerby would have to stop and stare at your porch to know who was there or what was going on, so you definitely wind up with some extra privacy on your front porch. It also makes your porch a great place to get some peace and quiet, or even meditate since you’ve got the added partial privacy of screened walls.

A SCREENED PORCH WILL ADD TO YOUR HOME’S CURB APPEAL—AND VALUE

Screened porches definitely add value to homes where they’re installed, especially when it comes to general curb appeal. A screened-in porch gives prospective buyers or renters an opportunity to picture their family enjoying that space, and because they’re not incredibly common, it could be the feature that ultimately wins them over.

SKY’S THE LIMIT              

With the right additions, you can take your screened porch up another level. Lighting, speakers, even some ceiling fans can all do dramatic things for the ambiance, so don’t limit yourself to just a few pieces of furniture in your new space. You could also go bigger with something like a fireplace/insert, a television, or even a Jacuzzi. Just because it’s your porch doesn’t mean you can’t deck it out with all of your favorite creature comforts. After all, the more you add to the screened porch, the more you’ll enjoy it.

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