Pros Share 8 Design Tips for Screened-In Porches
Check out these ways to upgrade a porch, connect it to other rooms in the house, prevent glare and more
With the summer solstice comes prime screened-in porch season. Your clients may be interested in giving their existing porch a refresh to improve its comfort or functionality, or they may be considering adding a new screened-in porch to their home. Technology and design innovations have brought new options such as vinyl windows, motorized shades, folding patio doors with swing door options and more. Check out eight favorite screened-in porch ideas from design pros and see if they spark inspiration for your projects.
Here’s a look at how the swing door option works. “The large glass panels also give the spaces an open feeling even with the doors closed,” Tribble says.
Read more about this porch
Read more about this porch
2. Control Intense Sunlight With Shades
Depending on placement, a porch can be too sunlit at certain times of day. That was the case for these Prior Lake, Minnesota, homeowners, who wanted to enjoy the views of the water and trees without being baked by the intense sunlight in this spot.
Interior designer Tracy Hains of Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling installed roller shades from Hunter Douglas to handle the sunlight. In addition to the glare reduction and temperature control they provide, the shades enhance privacy and aesthetic appeal. “These shades come in a variety of styles, colors and materials, allowing you to enhance the overall look of your porch. You can select shades that complement your home’s decor,” Hains says.
Depending on placement, a porch can be too sunlit at certain times of day. That was the case for these Prior Lake, Minnesota, homeowners, who wanted to enjoy the views of the water and trees without being baked by the intense sunlight in this spot.
Interior designer Tracy Hains of Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling installed roller shades from Hunter Douglas to handle the sunlight. In addition to the glare reduction and temperature control they provide, the shades enhance privacy and aesthetic appeal. “These shades come in a variety of styles, colors and materials, allowing you to enhance the overall look of your porch. You can select shades that complement your home’s decor,” Hains says.
The shades Hains chose blend right in with the architecture when they are not in use. Because of their durability and ease of use, well-made shades crafted for outdoor use are a good investment.
“High-quality shades are built to withstand outdoor conditions, including exposure to sunlight and moisture,” Hains says. “Many shades come with simple mechanisms for raising and lowering, such as cords, chains or even motorized options, making them user-friendly.” She also notes that these shades are motorized and can be scheduled to automatically open and close at certain times of day. This can prevent the sun from warming the porch too much on hot days.
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“High-quality shades are built to withstand outdoor conditions, including exposure to sunlight and moisture,” Hains says. “Many shades come with simple mechanisms for raising and lowering, such as cords, chains or even motorized options, making them user-friendly.” She also notes that these shades are motorized and can be scheduled to automatically open and close at certain times of day. This can prevent the sun from warming the porch too much on hot days.
Read more about this porch
3. Let In the Light
While some porches need roller shades due to intense sun exposure, others may need more light. Strategies include adding screened clerestories or transom openings. Or, as in the case of this 700-square-foot porch by Winn Design+Build in Vienna, Virginia, skylights are the solution. The design-build firm’s owner, Michael Winn, knew the expansive ceiling would darken this porch without them.
“The architectural skylights and exposed beams in the ceiling were essential elements in designing this expansive porch,” Winn says. The team was careful to consider the large scale of the ceiling when choosing them. Knowing that the large ceiling would dwarf standard skylights, they opted for architectural skylights that measure 6 by 6 feet. These are larger than standard residential skylights and are more commonly used in commercial projects. “They not only flood the space with natural light but also create a seamless connection between the porch and the natural surroundings, enhancing the overall openness and grandeur of the space,” Winn says.
While some porches need roller shades due to intense sun exposure, others may need more light. Strategies include adding screened clerestories or transom openings. Or, as in the case of this 700-square-foot porch by Winn Design+Build in Vienna, Virginia, skylights are the solution. The design-build firm’s owner, Michael Winn, knew the expansive ceiling would darken this porch without them.
“The architectural skylights and exposed beams in the ceiling were essential elements in designing this expansive porch,” Winn says. The team was careful to consider the large scale of the ceiling when choosing them. Knowing that the large ceiling would dwarf standard skylights, they opted for architectural skylights that measure 6 by 6 feet. These are larger than standard residential skylights and are more commonly used in commercial projects. “They not only flood the space with natural light but also create a seamless connection between the porch and the natural surroundings, enhancing the overall openness and grandeur of the space,” Winn says.
4. Add Interest on the Ceiling
The architectural skylights are just part of the ceiling design in the previous project. Winn also knew the large ceiling would look flat and oppressive without thoughtful architecture. Accordingly, he added coffers with beadboard in between the skylights to break up the scale of the ceiling and to add texture and warmth.
“Given the large size of the porch, incorporating architectural skylights and a distinctive ceiling design was crucial,” Winn says. “These features not only add visual interest and sophistication but also ensure that the space remains bright and inviting, making it perfect for both daytime relaxation and evening entertainment.”
Skylight: Velux
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The architectural skylights are just part of the ceiling design in the previous project. Winn also knew the large ceiling would look flat and oppressive without thoughtful architecture. Accordingly, he added coffers with beadboard in between the skylights to break up the scale of the ceiling and to add texture and warmth.
“Given the large size of the porch, incorporating architectural skylights and a distinctive ceiling design was crucial,” Winn says. “These features not only add visual interest and sophistication but also ensure that the space remains bright and inviting, making it perfect for both daytime relaxation and evening entertainment.”
Skylight: Velux
Read more about this porch
5. Be Thoughtful About Railings
Depending on how high off the ground a screened-in porch is, it will require railings for safety. Railings can enhance the architecture of a porch, but if poorly chosen, they can be a distraction.
At the Minnesota home seen here, Aspect Design Build installed steel cable rails. These railings are barely there visually, keeping the lovely views over the prairie to the lake as open as possible.
The firm’s owner, Shaun Winkler, carefully considered the architecture, the setting and the views when designing the railings. “The particular home and setting are rural and rustic. So we were hesitant about using horizontal cables, because they trend more modern in most applications. They do, however, allow the eye to look past them and provide a full view of the lake setting,” he says. “We decided to use timber posts and a wood top rail to keep the rustic vibe and to minimize the cable railing. It opened the view while keeping a consistent vibe with the rest of the property.”
Depending on how high off the ground a screened-in porch is, it will require railings for safety. Railings can enhance the architecture of a porch, but if poorly chosen, they can be a distraction.
At the Minnesota home seen here, Aspect Design Build installed steel cable rails. These railings are barely there visually, keeping the lovely views over the prairie to the lake as open as possible.
The firm’s owner, Shaun Winkler, carefully considered the architecture, the setting and the views when designing the railings. “The particular home and setting are rural and rustic. So we were hesitant about using horizontal cables, because they trend more modern in most applications. They do, however, allow the eye to look past them and provide a full view of the lake setting,” he says. “We decided to use timber posts and a wood top rail to keep the rustic vibe and to minimize the cable railing. It opened the view while keeping a consistent vibe with the rest of the property.”
6. Panel the Lower Portion
A porch’s architecture can be an alternative to railings, such as the panels seen in this coastal home by Lovas Architects on Long Island Sound, between Connecticut and New York. Here this choice was made to protect the screens and to provide cohesiveness with similar architectural features in another room.
“This was meant to feel like a finished room even though it is a screen porch,” architect Nancy Lovas says. “The lower panels are solid so that when furniture, dogs, or kids bang into it, [the homeowners] won’t need to replace the screening. The need for the solid panel is unique to each house depending on the living conditions and requirements.”
Lovas also designed the porch in a way that could extend its use for more of the year. “An important feature we commonly design for is flexibility for enclosing screen porches as three-season rooms,” she says. “It requires screen panels that can be swapped out for glass panels. This porch has that design feature built in, but the clients have yet to have the glass panels built.”
A porch’s architecture can be an alternative to railings, such as the panels seen in this coastal home by Lovas Architects on Long Island Sound, between Connecticut and New York. Here this choice was made to protect the screens and to provide cohesiveness with similar architectural features in another room.
“This was meant to feel like a finished room even though it is a screen porch,” architect Nancy Lovas says. “The lower panels are solid so that when furniture, dogs, or kids bang into it, [the homeowners] won’t need to replace the screening. The need for the solid panel is unique to each house depending on the living conditions and requirements.”
Lovas also designed the porch in a way that could extend its use for more of the year. “An important feature we commonly design for is flexibility for enclosing screen porches as three-season rooms,” she says. “It requires screen panels that can be swapped out for glass panels. This porch has that design feature built in, but the clients have yet to have the glass panels built.”
7. Extend the Season With Versatile Windows
There are other ways to extend screened-in-porch season. For example, these Atlanta homeowners loved the idea of being able to seal the porch off from pollen, rain, and snow with ease.
Gert van Rooyen of Iroko Properties installed retractable windows from Amazing EZ-Screen Porch Windows. Made of clear vinyl, they keep out rain, wind, snow and pollen when closed and let in the breeze when open. Paired with a heater in the ceiling, they allow the family to use the porch year-round. “The windows are also very durable. A kid could run into one, and it would contract and then bounce back,” van Rooyen says.
The bottom panel of each window is fixed, and the rest of the panels can be lowered and stacked next to the fixed panels to let in the breeze. The screens are installed in the window frames.
Read more about this porch
There are other ways to extend screened-in-porch season. For example, these Atlanta homeowners loved the idea of being able to seal the porch off from pollen, rain, and snow with ease.
Gert van Rooyen of Iroko Properties installed retractable windows from Amazing EZ-Screen Porch Windows. Made of clear vinyl, they keep out rain, wind, snow and pollen when closed and let in the breeze when open. Paired with a heater in the ceiling, they allow the family to use the porch year-round. “The windows are also very durable. A kid could run into one, and it would contract and then bounce back,” van Rooyen says.
The bottom panel of each window is fixed, and the rest of the panels can be lowered and stacked next to the fixed panels to let in the breeze. The screens are installed in the window frames.
Read more about this porch
8. Make a Porch’s Screens Optional
Sometimes people prefer an open porch to connect to other outdoor spaces and clear views. But when a location has a buggy season or strong winds, having screens makes things much more comfortable. That was the case for designer Hains (see idea No. 2) at her Burnsville, Minnesota, lake house. When she and her husband build an addition to the home, she had motorized screens from Progressive Screens installed on this lower porch. They are easy to open and close with the touch of a button.
These screens are also effective at cutting the wind. “We had never lived on a lake before and didn’t know how windy it could get. These screens pretty much stop the wind,” Hains says. Another detail worth clocking here is the door-size opening on the right. On days when the wind is coming off the lake, Hains and her husband can block it while leaving easy access between the porch and the deck.
Sometimes people prefer an open porch to connect to other outdoor spaces and clear views. But when a location has a buggy season or strong winds, having screens makes things much more comfortable. That was the case for designer Hains (see idea No. 2) at her Burnsville, Minnesota, lake house. When she and her husband build an addition to the home, she had motorized screens from Progressive Screens installed on this lower porch. They are easy to open and close with the touch of a button.
These screens are also effective at cutting the wind. “We had never lived on a lake before and didn’t know how windy it could get. These screens pretty much stop the wind,” Hains says. Another detail worth clocking here is the door-size opening on the right. On days when the wind is coming off the lake, Hains and her husband can block it while leaving easy access between the porch and the deck.
On balmy days, when Hains and her family want an open feel, they can keep the screens tucked away to enjoy a clear view of the lake. They enjoy large family gatherings here, so it also helps them feel more connected to everyone hanging out on the deck and the dock.
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These Greenville, South Carolina, homeowners turned a bedroom on the back of their house into a barroom. They wanted help with adding French doors between the barroom and their existing screened-in porch, and hired Duo Design Studio and Transformation Renovations for the remodel.
“When designing the space, we knew there were two separate spaces for entertaining that were adjacent. Some factors needed to be considered, such as weather and home security. The perfect solution was a door system that could be opened when entertaining large groups but closed during cold weather conditions,” Brian Tribble of Transformation Renovations says.
Tribble took the idea of opening the spaces to one another further by installing a wall of folding patio doors made up of individual panels. These can be opened fully by sliding and stacking them together on one side of the opening, as you see here. When the doors are closed, one panel opens as a swing door for easy passage.
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