How To Build a Screened-In Porch

This is your guide to building your own screened-in porch – an outdoor living space made for enjoying fresh air and sunshine without the bugs. Over 65% of new homes have a porch and it is the top five desired outdoor features; screening-in a porch can help you get the most out of your space – and may increase your home’s value.

How To Design A Porch Enclosure

There are many benefits you can enjoy from a porch enclosure – and it’s easier to build than you may think! Follow these steps and learn more below.

Determine a budget.
Decide on a porch screening system.
Know what you want out of your porch enclosure.

Choose a Porch Screening System

Gone are the days of constructing a screened porch with wood frame and staples. There are a variety of do-it-yourself patio enclosure kits and other screen solutions for small or large projects of a variety of budgets. You will also want to choose materials based on how many seasons you would like to use your porch.

Shop all of our porch screening systems.

Do-It-Yourself Patio Enclosure Kits – For 2-3 Seasons

These products are best for porch enclosures that will not be winterized or will be minimally winterized.

SCREENEZE - self-tightening, spline-less vinyl and aluminum screening system
Screen Tight - easy-to-use, vinyl screening system
Fast Track - aluminum porch screen frame that snap together to create posts and rails
Mini Track - low-profile aluminum framing system
Vinyl Wall System - vinyl pieces snap together to form posts and rails – no existing structure required
Screen Block - includes two channels – one for screen and the other for winterizing Winterview Plastic
Retractable patio screens - innovative options for screens that release for insect protection when needed and retract out of sight when no longer needed

DIY Screen Porch – For 3-4 Seasons

These products allow easy winterization of porch enclosures that may be used most and possibly all year.

Scenix combination screens/windows for screened porch
Porch Screen Panels
Screen Block - includes two channels – one for screen and the other for winterizing Winterview Plastic

Learn how to create a 3-4 season sunroom as well as how to winterize your porch. It is important to think about how you will winterize your porch as you choose a screening system.

Setting a Budget

Your project’s budget will be determined by the size of the porch, cost of materials, and other factors. Porch enclosures can cost as low as $300 and up to 36,000 and higher. It is also helpful to think about neighborhood comparable standards if you are planning to eventually sell your home. Also, consider the ROI of the project:

Most homeowners enjoy a 75% return on their porch enclosure project
The home’s value may increase by 4-6% with a screened porch

Learn more about how enclosing a porch can add value to your home.

Screen Porch Construction

There are many ways to build a screen porch – and we offer a variety of porch screening systems that make it easy.

How To Build On-To an Existing Structure

Many of our porch screening systems are designed to be easily installed on the structure of your porch with little to no modification of the structure. All of these systems can be installed with screws.

How To Build a Screened-In Porch From Scratch

We also offer screening systems that don’t require a structure at all and can be the primary building block for your screen porch.

How to Use Frame-In Solutions

We also offer porch panels and Scenix retractable porch windows which are installed within the frame of your porch enclosure.

Scenix Porch Windows (shop custom sizes here)
Porch Panels (custom built to your size and specifications)

Do I Need a Permit to Enclose a Porch?

Yes. You will most likely need a permit especially if you plan to add a roof or add other building elements that would enclose your porch. You may also need to adhere to other neighborhood regulations. We suggest looking at building code in your area to determine the needed permits and to make sure your structure passes code.

Screen Rolls For a Porch Screen Enclosure

The mesh that you use to screen your porch enclosure project will not only keep the insects out but can add more value and comfort to your project. Here are the types we suggest but we do offer more which you can shop here.

Super Screen - 10 year warranty, 3x stronger than fiberglass, withstand UV, hail, and weather elements
BetterVue - enjoy the view with screen that offers high outward visibility
Solar Screen - Enjoy shade and reduced heat with screen that comes in 65% and up 95% sun protection – with insect protection.
Tiny Mesh - Keeps out no-see-ums and other small bugs for better insect protection.
Pool & Patio Screen - coated fiberglass made for porch enclosure applications.

Get a sample of any of our screen meshes before you buy, when you request a sample!

Get the Most Out of Your Porch Enclosure

If you use one of the porch screening systems above, you are on the right track to getting the most out of your porch enclosure. However, there are other elements to consider.

Add an overhead fan - keep cool during warmer temperatures
Build transoms - to release hot air out of your porch
Upgrade to a stereo system - for easy, high-quality listening
Install a heating system - for 3-4 season enclosures

Learn More

Have more questions? You can always check out our blog where we post regularly about topics that can help you make your home improvement projects a success. You can also contact us with any questions you may have and visit our Highlands Ranch, Colorado showroom.