A screen room—also known as a screened-in-porch or screened-in-patio—is a great way to experience the outdoors while still being indoors. There are several screen room pros and cons to consider. The screens will provide protection from the annoyances of the great outdoors—including insects, critters, and yard waste such as leaves and sticks. And the roof will protect you from the sun. Screen rooms can be built from the ground up or can be constructed on top of an existing porch, patio, or deck. The walls are framed to leave as much room as possible for window screens, and a roof is erected to cover the space.
“It’s nature up close, but not too personal.”
– designer Christopher Patrick “Decorating and enjoying a screened porch” Washington Post 7/18/2012
Check out the full list of pros and cons of screen rooms:
Pros of a Screen Room
- Fresh air without the annoyances of insects, critters, or yard waste.
- Affordable—screen rooms are the most affordable form of a protected living space.
- The roof provides protection from the sun.
- Safe place for kids and pets.
- Provides some protection from allergens.
- Provides some privacy.
Cons of a Screen Room
- Seasonal limitations—screen rooms cannot be used year-round. While a ceiling fan will help circulate air and maybe help with controlling the temperature, screen rooms may not be a comfortable place to relax in extremely hot conditions. Unlike sunrooms, screen rooms are not insulated and will provide no protection in cold conditions.
- Regardless of the season, screen rooms are exposed to the elements. The screens will provide some protection.
- Screens can be damaged by human error or acts of nature. If screens are damaged, they can very easily be repaired or replaced.
- The roof will block direct sunlight, and the screens can block or obstruct the view.
If you are interested in adding a screen room to your home, contact us today for a free estimate. To see some of our previous screen room projects, click here.