The roof of the house is often extended out to cover the porch, forming a section of the residence for outdoor seating. Typically, a porch is erected on the front or along with one of the sides of the house during construction. As a later addition, you can build a porch to the back of your home, which will not alter its appearance from the front. According to some, it would have a new roof and resemble more of a sunroom.
In this article, we’ll discuss cost of screened porches and how it can help your home’s beauty.
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Why screened porches?
According to a recent HomeLight poll, 30% of top realtors across the country believe that this feature is a desirable outside feature for potential buyers in their respective markets. 51% of agents in the South Atlantic region put a screened-in space higher than a fire pit or outdoor kitchen as a desired upgrade.
Bugs and insects are the most common cause for homeowners to screen their porches. The second goal is to provide cover. A deep enough porch can allow for some outside entertaining in the summer months, as the sun’s harsh heat and bugs and mosquitoes are all but eliminated.
Adding screens to an open porch will indeed help keep the house’s interior temperature more comfortable, but it will also dim the light in any adjacent rooms that have windows looking out onto the porch.
If you’re seeking more living space, you can get it in any room, as previously said. The way the walls are completed makes a significant distinction between a sunroom and a screened porch. Mesh screens are used as the walls of a screened porch, a roofed construction.
On the other hand, a screened porch will allow fresh air to flow through the room while keeping out the bugs.
A sunroom is a glass-enclosed structure that has a roof. Like your living room, a sunroom provides an excellent perspective of the outside world. Adding air conditioning and heating in the summer and winter months is likely because it is enclosed.
How much does a screen porch cost?
Even if you’re doing the work yourself, you can save a lot of money if you’re only adding a screen to an already constructed porch (DIY).
It’s usual for a porch to cost between $15,000 and $30,000, although most homeowners pay around $20,000. Keep in mind that homeowners may often return 84% of the installation cost by selling their property for more money.
The building inspector is always your first port of call when making any home improvement. You can find out if you require a permit from the local building inspector’s office.
If all you’re doing is adding screens, you probably don’t require a permit. If you’re still unsure, the best course of action is to inquire. An extra $200 may be needed for a permit, depending on the locality.
It’s best to hire a screened-in porch contractor after the summer season when contractors are less busy.
Influencing factors that affect costs
Whether you’re starting from scratch or retrofitting an existing porch, the square footage, labor, and materials you choose will all have an effect on your budget.
Square footage
If you have an existing porch, patio, or deck that you want to enclose, you can save money on materials like flooring and roofing by doing so. Otherwise, consider how you want to make use of the available area.
For outdoor eating, it is recommended that a porch that is 15 by 20 feet or 16 by 16 feet in size, depending on the size of the table and seats. He believes that a 16 by 16-foot screened-in porch built of pressure-treated wood will cost $45,000, whereas one constructed of exotic hardwood with steel structure, Zuri decking, and extras like infrared warmers will cost $55,000 or more.
According to Fixr’s calculations, the size of the porch’s seating area may be anywhere from 6 by 10 feet to 10 by 20 feet. Sun porches can be anywhere from 12 feet by 12 feet to 14 feet by 16 feet in size. Is your house suitable for a wraparound porch? That ranges in length from 10 feet to 14 feet.
Consider checking with your local town hall or homeowner’s association (HOA) before deciding on size.
Labor and installation
If you’re handy, you can save money by doing the work yourself. A screen frame system, ranging in price from Home Depot, can be installed on an existing porch in two to four hours. Adding a door may also necessitate additional supplies and additional time spent on the project.
When hiring a professional, labor prices can vary greatly depending on whether you’re beginning from scratch or if you’ve already done some work.
As little as $2 per square foot of labor might be spent screening an existing porch. Construction prices for a new screened-in porch, on the other hand, range from $72 to $82 per square foot, partly because this space can be used as a “three-season room,” i.e., as an addition to your home.
Materials
If you’re thinking of adding plants, a hammock, or a chandelier to your porch, it’s natural to become distracted by all of the other possibilities. The structural features of your project should receive the majority of your expenditure.
Pressure-treated wood and only a few extras run about $45,000 for a typical 16′ x 16′ screened-in porch. It is possible to spend upwards of $55,000 if you choose high-end materials such as exotic hardwood, Zuri decking steel framing, and special amenities such as infrared heaters and wrought iron handrails.
Screen
Materials such as wood, metal, and glass are commonly used to make screens.
Between $5 and $7 per square foot for aluminum Cost per square foot: $4.50 to $5.50 for fiberglass Cost: $5.50–$7.00 per square foot for solar screens $2,000–$4,000 for each unit of motorized retractable screens (not sold by square foot), screened-in porches can be linked to the exterior of your home or erected as a separate structure in your rear. The fourth wall of screening is required for a stand-alone, which will raise the price.
Rescreening your porch every six to eight years is also necessary (on average, if well maintained). Ripped or torn screens might negate the entire purpose of having an outdoor living room built for you and your family.
Screen Frame
The frame is the next thing your installer will use to hold your screen together once you’ve decided on the material. Installers prefer aluminum, while some do-it-yourselfers may use wood for the framing. This could be done for various reasons, including beauty or cost. Still, any wood used on the exterior will require upkeep and decay prevention if exposed to the environment or termites.
Screen Door
Depending on the material, screen doors can cost as little as $300 and as much as $2,000, respectively.
A robust screen door may be worth the investment for screened-in porches where children or heavy foot traffic is expected. Screen door repairs can cost up to $200 in materials alone, depending on the extent of the damage.
Screens
Screen kits are available for $50 or less at many hardware stores. These kits include four corners, four framing pieces, and spline, the thin strip used to hold screens in place.
- Aluminum mesh costs between $2.50 and $4 per square foot.
- About $4 to $5 per square foot for fiberglass
- About $4 to $5 per square foot for sun-blocking.
- The cost of a retractable is between $20 and $30 a square foot.
Although this may vary depending on your location, HomeGuide says that the best time to add screening to your porch is during the colder months. Contractors tend to be busier in the spring and summer, so you’ll have a better chance of finding a contractor earlier in the year and getting a better deal.
Before starting any work, get at least three quotes from possible contractors and a summary of how they arrived at their estimates. Inquire about their qualifications, such as how long they’ve been in business, whether they’ll obtain permits and insurance before commencing work, and how they deal with disputes with clients. A screened-in porch may not be cheap, but the project will take shape quickly with a well-thought-out plan in place.
Contact Paragon Remodeling for more information about the cost of screened porches
Most outdoor remodeling projects that create usable space, such as decks or a porch that is not screened in, are a beneficial investment for homeowners. Bugs, solitude, and rainy weather are all factors to consider while building a screened-in porch.
To ensure you are in good hands, contact reliable professionals to do the job. Paragon Remodeling offers screened porch installation services. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us today.
