The Design Series: Considerations When Finishing Out Your Screened Porch

Now that you have defined how much space you need for your screened porch it is time to decide how to finish out your space. There are many considerations that come into play when deciding how to finish out your screened porch, one of which is probably one of the most important… where and how will the room receive it’s light?

When planning on building a screened porch or other outdoor structure it is crucial to detect which direction it will be receiving the sun. If your structure is in direct sunlight it will stay too warm, and if it is completely in the shade it may not get warm enough. You want to place your structure for maximum utilization of free light with consideration to how much heat you want from the sun.

Considering you will lose a certain amount of sunlight when you install a roof on your structure you have to look for ways to overcome that loss. Positioning the porch where you can take advantage of the light coming in from other windows in relation to your house is an option. A gabled roof will also let more light pass through. Remember the west side of the home usually has the most light, and heat, this will also have to be a consideration when considering placement of your screened porch. When placement of your screened porch is not open to many options there are other ways to obtain that much-needed light, such as skylights. Skylights add beauty and function to your screened porch. There are also many outdoor lighting and ceiling fan designs on the market now that cater to the screened porch. These lights and fans are safe to use outdoors in a screened porch setting and come in enough styles to suit any taste.

Another key factor of finishing your screened porch is the traffic flow. We typically put the door near the house, but in some cases this may not work. Door positioning is important in relation to your furniture and you have to take into consideration how that furniture will be used and will it be in the path of traffic when in use? You always want a smooth traffic flow around your furnishings whether they are in use or not currently in use. Take into consideration the door swing as well, you wouldn’t want the door to swing open against a piece of furniture. You want a clear, open traffic flow, so you and your guests can move about in harmony throughout your structure for maximum enjoyment.

At Archadeck of Columbus we can meet with you to plan your perfect screened porch. We have experience in turning your dreams into a reality. We can help you decide the placement of your screened porch and plan all the little important details. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are here to help you every step of the way.(740) 879 – 3730

Author: archadeckofcolumbus

I began my association with Archadeck in 2001 when I was working for a subcontractor that Archadeck of Columbus was employing for patio installations. I had been working in the Landscape/Hardscape industry for quite a few years at the time and immediately noticed a difference in how Archadeck operated in comparison with other deck companies that we worked with. Over the years of working with Archadeck on numerous projects, large and small, I came to realize the importance of what they were selling; beautiful designs, top-notch craftsmanship and a world class customer experience. This is what drove me to start working for Archadeck in January of 2011 and eventually buying the company in 2016. My wife, Amber, and my son, Logan, could not be happier to be a part of such a wonderful organization. We look forward to the future as we build the outdoor living environments our customers dream of with the “world class” service they deserve! View all posts by archadeckofcolumbus