Having a place for holiday gatherings is a need for many of us. Even still, if you’re attempting to figure out which home improvement project would bring you the most money, you might be feeling a little daunted by all the options.

This article intends to help you whether a screened in porch or sunroom is suited for your next home project.

A sunroom or enclosed porch may better suit your needs than a magnificent deck. Some people don’t know the difference between a sunroom and a porch enclosure. Interestingly, they are two very different things. 

Screened In Porch

Porches with screens are more like outdoor rooms. They have enclosed decks with walls and a roof for the most part. Screens, rather than glass, are used in the walls and windows. It’s up to you whether you want screens that go from floor to ceiling, a “knee wall” with displays above, or conventional walls carved out for screens.

Some of the disadvantages of screened-in porches can be avoided. Your skin and ears will still be exposed, but you’ll be shielded from the sun’s rays and mosquitoes and other insects.

A screened-in porch is defined as a roofed structure with a screened enclosure that is open to the weather, as defined by the precise definition. Unless there are severe storms, you may be protected from the rain or snow by your screened porch’s location with the rest of your house and the number of trees nearby.

It doesn’t matter what time of year it is; you may enjoy the beauty of a screened-in porch at any time.

The least expensive choice to construct is a screened porch, especially if we can use an existing foundation or deck as a basis. There aren’t any walls in a screened-in porch, so it’s less critical to match trim and railing elements to the rest of the structure to maintain continuity, as it would be for a three or four-season room.

Sunroom

Glass-enclosed rooms, known as sunrooms, have screened apertures that can be opened or closed as desired. In addition to being referred to simply as “outdoor rooms,” they’re also known as “patio rooms,” “glass enclosures,” and even “Florida rooms.” Sunrooms are ideal for allowing natural light because they are mostly built of glass.

As an inexpensive way to extend the indoor living space of a house into the outdoors, sunrooms are frequently created after the original structure has been constructed. Sunrooms come in a wide variety of designs and layouts. Your home should feel like a part of it rather than an afterthought when you choose the right design.

In your home, the sunroom is a unique space. It’s a place where you can bring the outdoors inside while still maintaining control over your surroundings. Even the bugs aren’t exempt from the harsh weather. Sunrooms are a great way to enjoy the outdoors while still enjoying the comfort of your home.

Depending on the climate and the number of seasons you intend to use your sunroom, several design considerations must be considered while building it (usually two, three, or four). Sunrooms can’t be used all year round in colder climates without a heating system and a lot of insulation.

Factors to consider

Before designing a sunroom extension, keep in mind that the fundamental distinction between a sunroom and a screened porch is the fourth season.

Cost

Adding a sunroom to your house is more complicated and requires more materials than building an enclosed porch. This is often reflected in the final bill of materials and other costs.

For example, if you opt to install a porch kit with basic screens after cleaning your deck patio, you might spend $1,000 to $2,000 on the project. A covered porch is a preferable choice if you’re on a tight budget.

It’s also possible to come up with cost-cutting solutions, such as a covered porch with space heaters. Even though you’ll have to pay a bit more for your porch, you’ll still save a lot of money over the cost of a sunroom, and you’ll get to spend more time outside.

Installation

A screened-in porch takes four to six weeks to construct once you sign the contract and the project gets underway. Prefabricated sunrooms can be built in about the same amount of time as a custom-built one. Custom sunrooms and porches can take up to a few extra weeks to complete.

While building a sunroom may take longer, there is no ongoing maintenance on the part of the homeowner. Make sure to account for the regular upkeep of your enclosed porch in your budget.

Preference

If you want a shaded outdoor space to spend time with friends and family in the summer, fall and spring, a screened porch may be enough. The porch enclosure doesn’t control the temperature, as well as a sunroom does, but it’s still pretty effective, and there are ways to give it a hand.

Many screened porches have ceiling fans even if they aren’t heated or air-conditioned. It is also much less expensive to use a little electric space heater instead of an outdoor heater. 

A sunroom is more like an extension of your home than a screened-in porch. As if it’s a second family room or living room. You don’t have to worry about the weather when entertaining your friends and family. There is no guarantee that the weather will be pleasant or sweltering.

On the other hand, a screen porch is ideal if you want a place to relax and appreciate nature without dealing with bugs and the elements. A sunroom or a screen porch is a matter of personal preference and family requirements.

Contact Paragon Remodeling to learn more about screened porch vs. sunroom

Paragon Remodeling offers screened-in porches services. A screened porch or sunroom may be a good spot to explore for additional living space in your home. Our team would be happy to assist you.