How do I build a screened patio vs sun room?
We’re in a 2-story home with a large deck on the main level. Below the deck is an exterior entrance to the terrace/basement. We’re thinking of finishing the under deck area as a screened patio or sun room. Looking for low cost suggestions. The patio area is currently a 2’x2’ concrete step out, with recycled tire fill under the rest of the deck.
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What a fabulous space! The screened porch would be the cheapest and easiest.
Sounds great to me. Looks like you have a lovely place..Good luck!
I think a screen porch would be nice, the easiest and least costly. I don't know what your winters are like; if they are snowy it would cost a lot to keep warm if you made it into a sun room closed in by large windows.
Build a sun room using sliding doors. You will have year round use then.
Enclose with " Awning" type windows which open out with a Full- entire section screen- which can be removed for whatever on the inside. It can be used for any purpose with this type of enclosure. If you have " No-seeum" (like Knats but smaller), you may get finer mesh screening. Best to get One screen porch contractor's estimate first goingover all your requirements. You can then use that Estimate and plan to contact more contractors elsewhere and every estimate will have been "Reading off the same sheet of music",so to speak.
If it gets freezing where you live, yes it will cost a fortune to heat and you'll be unlikely to use it. If it gets hot in the summer, a sunroom will end up too hot to use w/o air conditioning also. Bottom line - do a screened porch!
Without know where you live, telling us the state would be sufficient, it is hard to suggest screening or enclosing this space. Also how do you want to use this space, such as: casual family evenings or as an extra place for kids recreation or a grownup space for quiet etc. Happy to add my opinion when you can provide a bit more info.
Agreed, the state and climate does make it a decision to consider as well. I have friends that have both. The sunroom is nice certain times of the year, but in a state like KY, you have to heat it and cool it, which can add to the cost.
( May I say also your wealth status makes a difference as well, because the up keep cost doesn't really matter to some, whom are financially better off than others). On the other side of the coin the screen, is also nice and I personally prefer it, due to it letting the smell of the season and climate in as well, not to mention it is much less expensive to do. However, with saying that, you do have a unique situation with the upper deck as well, so it could be the more natural environment on top, (of course you have the bugs to deal with). Then you could enclose the bottom, for year around entertainment. Honestly it comes down to what your preferences are. Good luck in your project, and keep us posted on what you decide.
Not a sunroom! Better to have the natural breeze. Screens don’t have to go floor to ceiling. You could have a wall part of the way up. So much to consider...flat surface deck above will be open to rain. Now rain comes through deck into what will be underneath room? You can screen ceiling (underneath of deck) and the rain from above will still drain, but do you want to be able to use the underneath room during bad weather? If you want it as artist studio you will have to make sure it is water tight from above at least. And then where will water from deck drain? Do you want ceiling fans? Outlets? Easier asked than finally decided!
I would have an all season room installed on the TOP deck. It doesn't look like the bottom gets much sun. You can always use lattice to enclose the bottom and make it a usable space for the kids.
Do you have a bug problem in the warm weather? We put a screened porch on and love it. If you don't need extra living space for year round use, go with the screened porch. It's like sitting outside (even in the warm rain). People ask us when we are going to put windows in and I answer: "Then I'll have to add on another screened porch!"
We haven’t been here long enough to encounter bugs. But, with the woods right there, we’re anticipating mosquitoes.
I live in Florida and I suggest a screened porch, but make sure you use "no-see-um" screen. Those little guys will drive you crazy in the spring/summer and you get them in Georgia.
We live in New England and have a 3-season sunroom. It is great for storage in winter but is too cold and would be too expensive to heat. In summer it gets very hot, even though the windows slide open 1/2 way. I recommend a screened porch for under the deck but don't know where you live. Also, consider the fact that you might not get as much sun under there. Good luck! Lovely home!
I think a screened space would be the best. I've been to Georgia, and it can be pretty buggy in the warm weather (including a massive invasion of flying cockroaches I witnessed in September in a woodsy area as well as in Atlanta). What with the water features near your home, mosquitoes could also be around, so it would be nice to have a bug-free place to sit outside, especially in the evening when insects are most active. I have seen advertisements for gutter systems that can be put under a deck to divert rain so the space underneath stays dry.
The other reason it strikes me as a useful space is the increasing presence of disease-causing insects in our country, such as Zika, etc. I think many of us, even in the north, will be building screened outdoor spaces.
Your new home is beautiful, I wish you much happiness there.