When you bought your home, you dreamed of languid evenings on your back deck. But then: The bugs. Ugh.
Now youre dreaming of a screened-in porch.
Its totally doable. You just need to know a few things, the first of which is that its worth the time and money because its a great way to add value to your home. (Thats good news because it will cost about 10,000 to 12,000 for a typical 14-foot-by-14-foot deck).
Buyers love them, says Elaine VonCannon, a REALTOR(R) from Williamsburg, Va. It works for everybody who likes to sit outside.
If youre one of them, you cant lose. Heres what else will help you get started:
Your deck will need to be able to support a roof. Check with your local building codes, but you may have to do one or more of these things:
Add more posts and foundation piers (500 to 5,000).
Beef up joists and beams.
Pour a concrete foundation (which could cost 10,000).
Youll also need to choose the style of roof:
A shed roof is the most economical and very common on porches.
A hip roof is the strongest (and priciest).
A gable roof lets in the most light.
The key is to choose a roof that will look like it has always been part of your house. Using the same roofing materials will help.
Do you have rambunctious pets that make strength a top priority? Or is there a beautiful view you dont want to block with an obtrusive screen? Theres a different type of screen for just about any need.
Screen types and how much they cost:
Fiberglass. Easy to install and the most affordable. Tears easily and has a tendency to stretch and look floppy. (17 cents/square foot)
Aluminum. Stronger and more durable than fiberglass, and the least visible. Can oxidize easily. (26 cents/square foot)
Vinyl-Coated Polyester. Strong enough for pets, and it can dissipate heat in hot climates. (60 cents-1.53/square foot)
Bronze. Strong, doesnt easily oxidize in salt air along coasts, and develops a patina with age. (1.10/square foot)
Monel (alloy of copper and nickel) or stainless steel (2.25-5/square feet). Strong, and tear-, rust-, and corrosion-resistant.
Pre-made screen panels are easier to install and repair than rolls of screening, but you pay the price of 50 to 75/running foot.
Check local building codes for setback regulations and building specifications before youre fined (or worse, told to re-do!).
Add electrical outlets for lamps, ceiling fans, and phone chargers.
Add a skylight to the adjacent room to avoid the loss of light that will happen when you enclose your deck.
Remove railings if you want a floor-to-ceiling screened porch, which gives you an unobstructed view.
Bug-proof the floors, too! To keep tiny critters from climbing into your new porch from below, attach a fine mesh screen or landscape paper to the underside of the floor. Or, replace the current floor with tongue-and-groove boards that fit so tightly bugs cant climb through.
Lisa Kaplan Gordon is an avid gardener, a member of the Fairfax County Master Gardeners Association, and a builder of luxury homes in McLean, Va. Shes been a Homes editor for Gannett News Service and has reviewed home improvement products for AOL.
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