Thursday, April 25, 2024
HomeBuildHow To Enclose A Patio

How To Enclose A Patio

Sky Lights In Your Patio

Another use for shower curtains. Inexpensive Way to Enclose Your Patio

A great addition to your enclosed patio would be skylights. This gives you that ability to dine in the sunshine without the burn, or at night if you want, you can lay on the floor of the patio and gaze up at the stars without being out in the cold. Plus, skylights are perfect for allowing natural light into the space, so if your patio is small, it will help to open it up a bit.

Why Consider An Enclosed Patio

There are many benefits that come with enclosing your patio. They include:

Creating an Entertainment Space at your Home

Whether its a well-illuminated home office or second lounge that youve always wanted, an enclosed patio gives you a simple way of adding an extra room. If you want maximum light, go for tinted glass or smart glass to allow the natural lighting through.


Increasing the Lifespan of Your Outdoor Furniture

An enclosed patio minimizes the exposure of your outdoor furniture to external elements. If you leave your chairs and tables outdoors for a long time, theyll start to fade and deteriorate. If you have cane furniture, it will begin to lose its luster and if its made of wood, its likely to crack. Fortunately, a patio enclosure will keep your furniture looking good over time.

Enjoying Protection Against Downpour and the Summer Heat

Your furniture isnt the only thing an enclosed patio can protect from extreme weather conditions. Another perk of enclosing your patio is that you get to relax in it regardless of the weather. When its raining, you can sit dry and happy, watching the rain from your enclosed nook.

Sunroom Addition Ideas Patio Room

The cost to build a patio enclosure ranges from $8,500 to $25,000, or $22 to $75 per square foot.


How Much Does It Cost To Build A Enclosed Patio – Square footage of the patio. The smaller the floor area, the lesser is the cost of the project. Cost to convert patio to sunroom. The average cost to build a patio enclosure is around $16,565 total with most homeowners spending between $8,242 and $24,911.depending on what you envision, you may spend anywhere between $22 and $75 per square foot with respect to its features, labor and material. There are plenty of patio enclosure options to choose from, including the materials and labor used to construct it. Depending on the materials that youll choose for the enclosed patio designs and how you build it, the cost may vary.

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How Much Does A Patio Enclosure Cost

Many are surprised to learn how costly it is to enclose a patio. You can spend as little as $500 or as much as $23,000. On average, you can expect to spend about $15,500 on the whole project. This article breaks down the cost of installing a patio enclosure so you can get an idea of how much yours may cost.

Although this expenditure is anything but small, you should keep in mind that an enclosed patio comes with multiple benefits. The most important of these is that it increases year-round living space that you can enjoy at any time. Among all the rooms in a home, theres no better place to lounge than a patio.

More Expensive Does Not Always Mean More Enjoyable

How to Prep to Enclose Your Patio

Many of our Porch Enclosure System clients tell us, the cheaper the room, the more they enjoy it. Big expensive sun rooms are nice, but never a real living space, other than for occasional parties. Even with the windows open, they feel too indoorsy to act as a porch.


It is very easy to over-improve a home. Dont think you will necessarily recover the cost of a sun room you build. If you add one to your home, you should think of it as something you will get value out of from pure use and enjoyment not as an investment that you hope to recuperate at some point down the line.

We at Porch Enclosure Systems say, let porches be porches! The beauty and enjoyment of a screened porch is that it is not a three-season or all-weather enclosure, but rather a room for use when the weather is pleasant, and a way of enjoying the outdoors.

this PES customers porch contains a fireplace & overlooks a pool

The beauty of a Porch Enclosure System is that you can protect your porch and furnishings from the elements. You can also extend your enjoyment of the screened porch because the clear press polished vinyl sheet glass panes create a greenhouse effect when your Porch Enclosure System is deployed, warming your outside area and giving you a place to escape on a warm winter day. They also help our customers have happier outdoor parties in the summertime! Dont cancel plans because of weather, simply deploy the Porch Enclosure System and keep the party going.

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Materials Of The Patio Enclosure

There are a vast variety of materials you can use to build your enclosed patio. Of course, one material will differ in cost from another. I highly recommend that you dont go cheap on materials, as this will determine how durable the whole construction will be.

You also need to keep in mind that different screen materials will help you achieve different things. For instance, if your patio space lacks privacy, you should definitely opt for privacy screens that wont allow the neighbors to see you.

Another example of a material to consider is pet screens, which are designed to resist damage inflicted by the claws of your pet. This is highly recommended if you own a cat.

Available Screened In Patio Meshes

  • Copper mesh – $6.50/sqft – Not very strong. Can corrode.
  • Brass mesh – $6/sqft – A bit stronger. Can corrode.
  • Stainless steel mesh – $1/sqft Strong. Will not rust or tarnish, or be physically damaged from impact.
  • Bronze mesh – $0.85/sqft Will discolor. Tougher than brass and copper.
  • Vinyl-coated polyester mesh – $0.58/sqft Strong. Will not corrode.
  • Aluminum mesh – $0.28/sqft Very strong. Easy to work with.
  • Fiberglass mesh – $0.15/sqft – Easily torn. Fire resistant. Will not rust or corrode.

Some mesh types are better than others. For example, Stoetts screen mesh is made of a PVC polyester-coated fabric which is 200% stronger and lasts three times longer than fiberglass. Because you have to have Stoett screens installed by a local authorized dealer/installer, prices can vary, but they say a typical job can cost $200 – $15,000, depending on how much screening you need and how many individual pieces need to be custom fit and installed. Available meshes include:

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Porch Easily Converts To Living Space

QUESTION: I have a screened porch that I would like to convert to living space. The new area would become an extension of my family room. My home, built in 1980, is concrete block construction with a pitched fiberglass shingle roof. The porch roof is incorporated in the house roof and is supported by 4-by-12 cedar beams sitting on 4-by-4 cedar columns.

How do I go about enclosing the area?

ANSWER: Enclosing screened porches to increase living area is a common practice in Florida, and in your case, it may be easier to accomplish than the addition of a family room. Because your porch roof is tied into the house, with the same pitch and shingles, etc., and you are going to stay within that existing space, the project is that much easier to do.

A porch enclosure looks especially nice when you make the effort to blend the new room with the existing home. This will make the project appear to be original to the home.

You will need to enlist the services of an architect or a residential designer to help with the design, including door and window placement, and to provide you with the preliminary and final sets of plans. Professionals also can provide you with a set of plans, including structural engineering, that is ready to submit to the building department.


Bird Watching Porch With Dark Wood Paneling

Enclose Your Patio

Heres another enclosed porch idea finished to be as comfortable and relaxing as possible. The stone tiles make the floor very durable, but the mats in front of the seating areas cushion the floor a bit. The layout of the seating itself lends toward sitting back and relaxing with a good book or watching the birds flutter through the trees. The lamp and ceiling lights give you enough light to read in the evening, and the ceiling fan keeps the air moving so that youre always comfortable.

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Technique : Putting In A Synthetic Green Private Fence

It is possible to enclose a porch via a privacy fence you construct using a fake ivy hedge.

There are advantages to this type of earthy feel since being able to see greenery boosts peoples moods. Plus it is ideal for folks not wanting to have to care for real plants.

But if you do have a green thumb, then take a look at the following recommendation.


Striking Covered Patio With A Gable Roof

This is one of the best ideas for the enclosed patio designs. Coming with a spacious design, this covered patio allows you to feel like youre completely outside.

You can read, dine, and hang out with your family or friends when the weather does prevent you to go outside. With some lights installed in the patio, itll be an inviting space too in the evening.

Pros:

  • The L-shaped couch provides enough space to accommodate more people in this outdoor area.

Cons

  • The design might not be able to handle heavy winters or extreme summers.

Cost:

The cost to build it is about $6,500, considering that you do the work yourself.

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Technique : Use Outside Curtain Panels

Yes, Sir, there is a method of enclosing the porch that is as simple as putting up some curtains.

These outside curtains are created to use outside since they are water-resistant as well as made of heavyweight material so they can stand up to breezes.

And similar to curtains, youve got a lot of choices for the color, pattern, etc., to add some flair to your enclosed porch.

You need to utilize curtain rods that are also weather-resistant for hanging up the curtains if your porch has a roof. If there isnt a roof, you need to put in an awning. rods to hang them up if youve got a roof over your porch.

Be sure to use an iron to get out any wrinkles in the curtains prior to hanging them up.

Tearing Down Of Old Porch

Small Enclosed Porch Designs Patio Ideas

There are some enclosure jobs that would require you to demolish your old porch. This is usually done as a result of old age, as doing any more additional work, or adding more things to these porches would add more weight, that might eventually result to the entire structure falling or caving in under its own weight. For cases like this, expect to spend a whopping $20,000 or more, depending on the factors for price determination that were mentioned above.

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Features Of An Enclosed Patio

Wall material using reclaimed storm door is one way to enclose patios creating a solid wall of windows while maintaining an open feel of the outdoor space. You may keep one door on its hinges to function as entryway.

Frame material popular choices for a patio frame enclosure are aluminum and vinyl. Aluminum is preferred for its strength and durability, but it tends to get hot causing the entire patio to become warm. Vinyl on the other hand, requires less maintenance and it is not prone to scratches and dents.

Pre-constructed window wall system this window wall system is customized and fabricated to fit openings of your patio which you want enclosed. There are several window panels designs to choose from such as sliding panel or swing to open panel each type allows maximum air flow to the enclosed patio area.

Outdoor curtains and drapes porch outdoor curtains and drapes add elegance and creates a whimsical and welcoming atmosphere. A very specific type of a porch curtain is the mosquito netting curtains which keeps the mosquitos and other insects away plus, this costs less to install than screen enclosure.

Do I Need Planning Permission For A Patio Enclosure

The answer will differ depending on what type of construction project youre undertaking but its always advisable for homeowners to check with their local council first before starting work. It may be that some form of permit is needed so make sure to find out this information in advance. As far as building regulation goes there are various rules which vary by state so check with your local council before starting any work.

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Choosing The Best Enclosed Patio For You

When choosing to have an enclosed patio, its best, of course, to choose one that youre going to use and love for the years to come. In order to do that, there are several things that you need to take into consideration before making an official decision.

  • What will it be used for? If youre using the enclosed patio to sit out and drink your coffee or tea in the morning as opposed to a space to host large size gatherings, that you would be fine with a patio thats on the smaller side. Or you could even convert a small room in your house to an enclosed patio instead of building a new one.
  • What area do you live in? If youre somewhere where you love the weather but hate the mosquitoes, then perhaps an enclosed porch with screen walls would benefit you more than one with open walls.
  • What is the budget? Budget isnt everything, but its something that needs to be considered. For example, building your own gazebo made of stone and industrial curtains would be far more expensive than adding onto an existing patio space.

How To Enclose A Patio

How to Extend or Enclose Your Patio with Doug Gauf of Sunshine Experts in Tucson

How much does your homes outdoor space add to the total living area? And how often do you spend time in it? If you are like many people, not enough. In this guide, we will

How much does your homes outdoor space add to the total living area? And how often do you spend time in it? If you are like many people, not enough. In this guide, we will discuss the benefits of converting an open-air patio into a usable indoor room with enclosed walls and ceiling. Well also share our favorite designs for enclosing patios as well as some inspiring real-life examples that show what can be possible when homeowners take on this project!

In this guide to enclosing a patio, well cover different approaches people take for this project, discuss the costs involved, and finish with important things to keep in mind and some frequently asked questions.

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How Much Does It Cost To Turn A Screened Porch Into A Sunroom

One way to go about the enclosed porch vs. sunroom debate is to start with the former and upgrade to the latter at a different time when you have the money.

Its complicated to convert a porch into a sunroom without first demolishing the porch. Since sunrooms are typically attached to the house and have electricity, you cant exactly build over any existing structure.

Given that, the cost of demolition can range anywhere from $5 to $15 per square foot. Once thats taken care of, youre looking at a minimum price of about $10,000 to construct and outfit a sunroom in the porchs place.

As such, it takes approximately $12,000 to take down a 200 square foot porch and erect a sunroom in its place.

How Do You Enclose A Patio On A Budget

Cheap Ways to Enclose a Patio

  • Easy Side Enclosure. Create some privacy and shading for your patio with some inexpensive slat sides.
  • Creative Use of Trellises. Frame an open patio with large trellises anchored well with sturdy posts in cement footings at each corner.
  • Evergreens.
  • . Correspondingly, do you need a permit to enclose a patio?

    If you are making a weatherproof enclosure of an existing porch, a permit is required. Because it extends the “indoor” area of the house, enclosing a porch is considered additional living area and considered as an addition that is subject to the same setback limitations as the house itself.

    Also Know, how do you enclose a breezeway? How to Enclose a Breezeway

  • Remove the siding from the sides of the house and the garage to expose the sheathing.
  • Measure the length of the openings on the sides of the breezeway.
  • Lay two of the 2-by-4s onto the ground directly underneath the edge of the roof, stacked on top of each other.
  • Cut 2-by-4 boards with the circular saw to be the studs.
  • Also Know, how much does it cost to enclose a deck?

    Enclosed Patio Cost. Homeowners are often surprised to learn just how expensive it is to enclose a patio. As you can see above, patio enclosure prices can go as low as $500, but as high as $34,500. Still, the average comes in around $14,000.

    How much does it cost to turn a screened in porch into a room?

    McCormick says it can cost between $300 and $400 per linear foot to convert a porch into a sunroom.

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    Consider The House Layout

    Again, some of these projects are going to be more challenging than others simply by virtue of the homes layout and architecture. The following are just some issues homeowners have run into when attempting to enclose an outdoor living space.

    • Physical Obstructions. Do you have anything blocking where the screens will span? This can be anything from existing columns to posts to handrails. The presence of physical obstructions can make the project more difficult because multiple panels will have to be custom fit to the space.
    • Door Creation. If youre creating a barrier to enclose the space, then youre going to need a door that allows entry and exit from that area. Does your home pose any complications related to the addition of a door? For example, is the enclosed area not on the ground? If so, youll need stairs that go up to the door, and then youll also need a landing for those stairs.
    • Design Issues. If lots of architectural manipulation is required to make your enclosure functional, it can mean the area ends up looking like a design afterthought. Make sure your chosen design and build firm has an extreme eye for detail and can match the aesthetics of the new structure to the existing home. This includes design touches ranging from overall style to material used.


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