Screen Porches Columbus Oh – Columbus Decks, Porches and Patios by Archadeck of Columbus

Unique Screened Porch Conversion Thrills These Powell, OH, Homeowners

If you had any doubts that Archadeck of Columbus custom-designs the outdoor living projects we build, here is the one-of-a-kind project to illustrate that fact. We converted a covered porch in Powell, OH, to a screened porch including custom-built sliding barn doors with screens. Where have you ever seen that? These screen doors are truly original. The project also called for a new built-in enclosure for the homeowner’s grill, with a granite countertop, under a shed roof. Truly unique, and truly the perfect design for this stately yet charming home.

The clients were using a covered porch they had built themselves. The angle of the sun flooded their porch with burning rays at a certain time of day. The homeowners had taken to using dark curtains to wall off the porch when they needed to block the sun. Unfortunately, the curtains also blocked airflow but did not keep pesky insects out of the porch. For these reasons, the clients were looking for a more protected space for shade, to better escape insects and to shield them from inclement weather.

Enter Archadeck of Columbus, your Columbus-area screened porch builder. We were able to fulfill all of the homeowners’ requests and deliver a unique outdoor living space built adjacent to their existing paver patio.

The homeowners wanted a paneled look for the screened enclosure. We built a paneled knee wall around the portion of the porch that had previously been open and added a screening product called Screeneze for the porch’s new screens.

Screeneze is an amazing type of porch screen that is not made of aluminum (the material traditionally used for screening). Aluminum creases too easily and is flimsy, sometimes giving the screen a wavy look and making it vulnerable to damage by birds, branches or falling objects. Screeneze has elasticity and is so strong that if you throw a baseball into the screen, it will revert back to its original shape within minutes. Because Screeneze is so strong, it allows for more distance between posts, giving the family a cleaner, less interrupted view from their porch. This is our go-to screening product when the client is looking for a wider span of screen openings than is standard. Screeneze offers several different screen materials, and for this project, we chose SuperScreen (now called TEXTILINE® nano 50) made of coated polyester. This material features increased resistance to punctures and tears as well as better protection from pet damage, UV damage and mildew.

For the porch doors, we continued the paneled design to match the knee wall , using cypress to custom-build a pair of sliding barn doors with screens. These screened porch doors, wider than standard porch doors, are one of a kind. (Well, literally two of a kind, since there are two doors.) The paneled barn doors give this porch a French country chic look, perfect to match the adjacent rustic patio setting.

In addition to converting the open porch to a screened porch, this project called for a built-in cabinet to house the homeowners’ grill. We built the cabinet portion surrounding the grill with dimensional block pavers to match the seating wall on the adjacent patio. The counter around the grill is a beautiful granite countertop with plenty of room for the grillmaster to lay out utensils, seasonings and platters of food.

Finally, we added a small shed roof over the newly-built grill area as protection from rain. The new ceiling over the grill is cedar tongue-and-groove. Typically you wouldn’t put a grill under a wood structure; however, the homeowner uses a pellet wood grill. The manufacturer’s recommendation for clearance over this type of grill is much lower you would have for a grill with an open flame.

To complete the project, we ran electrical wiring and installed outlets for the grill controller box and a TV, and we installed an outlet for cable TV. The Powell, OH, homeowners are thrilled with their new screened porch and love the screened sliding barn doors.

Your Archadeck of Columbus design consultant is ready create a unique, custom-designed outdoor living project for your home. Whether you’re starting from scratch or want to modify your current outdoor living space, contact us today at (740) 879 – 3730 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net.

Can you incorporate your favorite getaway destination into your Columbus-area outdoor living space?

Somewhere on a traditional suburban street in Dublin, OH, there is a screened porch that transports the homeowners back to that sweet, intimate cabin in the woods where they spent so many nights in front of the fireplace.

Yes, it’s a screened porch. With a stone fireplace. In Dublin, Ohio. And they love it.

The clients asked Archadeck of Columbus to create a cozy, warm, cabin-like screened porch to take the place of an old wooden deck. So this Dublin outdoor living project falls into the category of deck-to-screened-porch conversions. Looking at it now, you won’t think, Oh, that used to be a deck. Instead you’ll think, I want a screened porch like that!

To begin the construction, we removed the original deck and built the new structure from the ground up. For the floorboards and stairs, the homeowners chose TimberTech Terrain composite decking boards in the brown oak color. These boards are low-maintenance, durable and texturized to display the beauty of real wood graining. The selection is both beautiful and practical because the material resists mold, mildew and moisture damage —great for a screened porch!

Looking up, you can see that the porch roof has a shallow pitch to avoid hitting the second-story windows overhead. We installed a standing seam metal roof that works well for this pitch and also has the advantage of being a “cool roof,” meaning it is light in color and won’t absorb heat from the sun.

Of course, the centerpiece of this project is the traditional wood-burning fireplace. While the appearance is that of aged brick, perhaps reclaimed from an older home, we actually built it with (new) concrete stones. It definitely contributes to that cabin-in-the-woods vibe we wanted to convey.

Inside, the fireplace’s granite hearth is nestled amidst cedar and pine. The mantel is cedar, as are the screened room’s posts and beams, while the ceiling is tongue-and-groove pine that will be painted. Outside, you can see the cedar trim, posts and beams and cedar skirting with a small door to access a storage area under the porch. There are two outside storage doors, one on each side of the fireplace.

The overall effect is that of a cozy cabin in the woods, and the homeowners can visit their remote cabin getaway any time just by stepping from the house onto the screened porch. This fireplace will warm many a chilly Ohio evening.

If you have an out-of-the-ordinary escape destination in mind and want to incorporate it into the outdoor living space at your home, contact Archadeck of Columbus for a design consultation today. You can reach us at (740) 879 – 3730, or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net.

Say goodbye to the screened porches of yesteryear!

It wasn’t so long ago that screened porches were built with utilitarian purposes in mind. Their job was to keep the bugs, and the rain, off of you. Historically, in rural areas and before air conditioning became commonplace, many people used a screened porch as a bunk room (sometimes referred to as a sleeping porch) on particularly sweltering summer nights.

Digging a little deeper into the archives, you will learn that the use of window screens started as soon as people began framing windows. References to window screens can be traced back to 1823. The earliest screens were made of wood, ceramic and stone. Their purpose was to provide protection from animal and human intruders but still allow some light and ventilation into a building. Cloth screens came along and provided protection from dust and insects and allowed some light to enter. During the 1840s, Gilbert and Bennett Manufacturing Co. of Redding, Connecticut, invented affordable wire mesh window screens.

I myself can remember fishing trips I enjoyed in my youth and the way the fishing camp I frequented utilized a screened room as their bait station. The structure consisted of a wooden floor with simple framed posts with screened openings. The sole purpose of the porch was to keep bait safe from flies. Definitely not a place you would want to spend the night!

Columbus outdoor fireplace on porch — Another Columbus outdoor fireplace and screened porch combination.

Fast forward to the modern screened porches homeowners crave today. Yes, they keep out bugs, allergens, debris and rain. However, they have become an extension of our homes and an oasis for outdoor living. Modern screened porches are now designed to include many comforting and convenient amenities like fireplaces and televisions, much like you would find in any other room of your home. The screened porch is essentially a more relaxed, casual room addition to the rest of your home.

Anyone who has experienced one has to admit that a screened porch is a wonderful addition to any house. A screened porch offers the breezes, scents, sounds and sights of being outdoors – but without the bugs and the blazing sun. Rough and tumble has its own charm, but these days most homeowners enjoy relaxing under the ceiling fan while listening to their surround sound audio system.

Contact Archadeck of Columbus today to discuss our stunning porch and screened porch designs. Our consultation is completely free. You can reach us at (740) 879 – 3730 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net. We look forward to your call.

Columbus screen porch exterior choices by Archadeck of Columbus

As part three of our exclusive design series we explore the importance of choosing the right exterior finish for your covered outdoor space.

Columbus screen porch matches existing home perfectly — The exterior finish of this screened porch matches the existing home to a T.

I know that your screened porch inside is what you see on a regular basis. With that in mind, the exterior of your screened porch effects the view of your home as a whole. Our goal on each project we design is to create a space that looks and feels original to your home.

Columbus screened porch with stucco exterior — This screened porch exterior is finished in stucco in the same color and texture as the house and looks original to the existing home.

Making it all match…

How do our designs make it all come together? The first step is to take cues from your existing home. A good option is to have the exterior of your space stained or painted to match the color of your home. We can also match the fascia, trim, soffit and gutters to your homes existing hues.

9' walls with wrapped columns — The columns on this screened porch are painted to match the existing home.

Sometimes we try to match the colors used on your screen porch door to those of the windows and doors of your home. A good example of choosing a veneer which will tie your structure into your existing home from a design standpoint is through the knee wall portion of your porch. A knee wall runs the perimeter of your exterior space. Even a small scale knee wall takes up an area from 18 to 36 inches and can be a key area of your exterior finish focus. If your home is stucco, we would recommend finishing the knee wall with the same stucco on the outside finish. This is the same with a home that is vinyl, hardy plank or even brick, using the same materials as your home’s exterior on your knee wall will make the exterior cohesive with the exterior of your home. With brick and stone veneers sometimes it is difficult to get an exact match because specific colors of stone and brick are often discontinued. If this is the case we can match it to as close to the native veneer of your home as possible.

Columbus close end gable roof screen porch — This Columbus gable roof screened porch is a perfect example of a close end, finished design that adds continuity to the style of the porch and existing home.

Many homeowners are choosing to go with low-maintenance exterior finishes by using vinyl and PVC products on the trim, roof posts and roof beams. These elements offer ultra-convenience. Even small areas can be matched to keep the colors cohesive such as the aluminum framed screen inserts used in screen porch construction. If your home’s windows are trimmed in white we can special order the screen inserts in white as well.

Colors aren’t the only way to create a covered porch or screened porch that delivers a design in keeping with your home and architecture details. Taking advantage of shape, such as creating screen porch openings which match the shape of your home’s windows is another good way to pick up elements filled with originality and pulling them into your outdoor space. On a gable or gable-end roof design you may choose to keep this area open and screened or closed ended and finished to match the cues set forth through your home. It is all up to you.

Columbus contemporary screen porch exterior details — This contemporary style screened porch looks original to the house because the exterior is finished in the same style as the home. From color to roof style the space looks like it has always been there.

Columbus screened porch painted to match existing home — This exterior was painted to match the adjacent home, even down to the screened openings.

Think outside the box adds flair and pizzazz

Another viable option for keeping the originality of your design in focus is to compliment your homes color and architecture as opposed to replicating an exact match on the entire exterior. This can be achieved by adding new design elements such as fluted columns with extra trim which can be wrapped and finished in a complimentary color of your choice. With screen porches many homeowners like to go with a rustic, vintage cabin style design in all wood tones. Choosing a unique exterior for your screen porch design can add character and charm to your home, and many homeowners just don’t want everything to match. These one of a kind exterior finishes turn out wonderfully.

Columbus Timbertech XLM Sandridge Colored Deck with Screen Porch and Patio — This outdoor living combination includes a screened porch, twin decks and a stunning hardscape patio. Notice how the exterior finish compliments the entire backyard and the home.

While most of the screened porches we build are attached to the home, we build a small number of freestanding or detached porches. A good example would be a covered patio, or screened room that doubles as a poolside retreat. In these cases there is not as much need to match your home perfectly. We can pull out important elements to compliment your home and introduce new details in as well. Outdoor spaces such as these offer more design freedom than those that are in close proximity to your home in a side-by-side attached construction.

Open porch Columbus — Look closely at how the siding on the gable end of this covered porch matches that of the existing house.

Our goal is to deliver a space that delivers aesthetic and structural harmony by using compatible design elements. You never want your space to stick out like a sore thumb. You want a space to boost the appeal of your home and landscape and unify your surroundings.

If you foresee a covered porch, or screen porch in your horizon contact Archadeck of Columbus to help you choose the design that best suits your needs, your function and your lifestyle. Call for a free consultation today (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

You can see more inspiring covered porch and screen porch designs by visiting our covered porch and screen porch galleries located on our website.

Important considerations when deciding where to place your new Columbus screened porch

As part two of our design series, Archadeck of Columbus discusses the ideal place on your house to attach your screened porch.

Columbus OH Screen porch with flat ceiling — Placing your screened porch in the right spot is crucial to its function and aesthetics.

I know you have heard the phrase “location, location, location” in the world of real estate. Location is just as important in the addition of adding your new screened porch to your home and yard. When considering the addition of any outdoor structure to your home there are several factors to take into consideration. In essence about 95% of the screen porches we build are located on the back of the home; the remaining 5% are built as freestanding or detached structures or in locations other than the rear of the home.

Columbus OH Screen porch with pine tongue and groove detail — Notice the bay window through the window of this lovely screen porch, and the location of the door that enters into the home. All were important factors in determining where to place this porch.

Where, oh where on my house should my new screened porch be?

The most important consideration in deciding the best location for your screen porch is to address the spatial and functional needs that are important in regards to your lifestyle. If you are going to use your space for dining, for instance, you may choose to create an area within close proximity to your interior (or in some cases) your outdoor kitchen. Functionality is important in choosing placement that is ideal for your individual needs, but structural influences will usually dictate the most realistic area your screened porch should be.

A good exercise is to go into your backyard with a tape measure and think about where you want your boundaries to be and where you want to begin the screened porch. We recommend centering your back door in the space as a good place to start to get a good idea of your desired starting and stopping points.

Structural influences such as doors and bump out swill dictate where your screened porch should begin and end. Utilities can also play a role in placement of your screened porch. Typically, when houses are built utilities like A/C units, water spigots, gas meters and vents are placed in the most inconvenient places in terms of adding on. In many cases we can work around the utilities or we can help to get them relocated.

Columbus OH Screen porch with skylights — By adding skylights to your screen porch you add an open, airy feel to the space and also let much-needed light into interior rooms in close proximity.

A consultation with a qualified and reputable builder is key when considering a screened porch addition because many times the design of your house and roof will dictate how and where the screened porch will tie into your home. If roof lines are an issue, a sidewall connection is the answer. A licensed professional will also consider the details that are often overlooked when considering the addition of a roofed structure such as loss of light within the home. Adding a screened porch can impact the amount of natural light that flows into your home. The roof for your new outdoor addition will likely affect the area within the home’s interior that is the closest in proximity to the new porch; this can many times be amended by the addition of skylights within your screen porch. We take all these factors into consideration when designing your new space because overlooking the smallest nuance can mean the difference in falling in love with your new outdoor space or leaving you with regret over the small things you should have considered before construction began.

If you are considering the addition of a combination outdoor structure that includes a screened porch and deck or patio combination then you need to consider additional factors such as harmony and flow and how each structure will function together. With combination structures the grade of your lot is also an important consideration. If you have a relatively flat area then consider adding a patio or deck. Patios are less expensive to build on a flat grade than a deck. If you have a steeper grade then the opposite is the case because a patio would require more aggregate and retaining walls.

No matter where you decide as the most advantageous location for your new screened porch it will likely become your favorite room in the house, and the space you gravitate to during the outdoor living season. With fall in the air now is the best time to begin your screened porch addition. You may even get to enjoy some of the colors of autumn from your new screened porch before the arrival of winter.

Contact Archadeck of Columbus to help you decide on the perfect porch, or outdoor living combination as well as the perfect way to tie it all together. Call for a free consultation: ( 740) 879 – 3730 Email:westcolumbus@archadeck.net

You can get more ideas for the perfect placement of your screened porch by visiting our screened porch gallery located on our website.

When the architectural design solution is not as simple as it seems…

Our finished screened porch project in Delaware proves that screened porches aren’t “one size or style fits all”.

columbus-deck before conversion to screen porch — This is what the deck looked like before we converted it to a screened porch.

Delaware screened porch and patio underneath — Our screened porch project in Delaware is finished and the homeowners are elated!

Not so long ago we covered a project we were working on in Delaware where the homeowners wanted to convert their existing deck into a screened porch. At first glance, this request seemed simple enough. The obvious choice was to just place the screened porch where the deck was using a gable roof to match the home’s existing gable style jut outs which were on the back of the home. Sometimes when really looking at roof connections and house connections the design and construction isn’t as simple as it appears to be.

Stunning view from Delaware screened porch through structural details — The view and the design of this screen wall, are breathtaking. Can you imagine having your morning coffee looking into this each morning?

After looking at the roof connections, it became apparent that the drainage from the two adjoining gables would cause water to drain from those gables directly into the screened porch so we needed to find an architectural solution to overcome that obstacle. When other contractors would have told these Delaware homeowners the space wasn’t workable, we made it work with careful specifications and well thought out design.

The large elevated screen porch was placed in the location of the homeowners existing deck, which includes a walkout below and serves as a patio underneath the porch as well. The scope of the job was to remove the old deck and build a screened porch that encompassed an area of about 12 x 14. We had to design a porch 13′ in the air for the roof tie in we were looking for. Because the home was part of a condo association, we had to ensure every facet of the new structure matched the existing home, this included the trim, exterior finishes, and everything else that was included in the new space.

In matching the design to the existing home we wrapped the column supports with Pawlonia. We also used a kneewall with hardy plank for the exterior finish. On the interior, the customer chose PVC ply bead and an enclosed rafter system with a beadboard finish. We installed four Velux skylights that provided lots of can lights, low voltage lighting, and a stunning ceiling fan. The flooring is Trex in saddle and so are the wide stairs leading down to the patio below. We used white vinyl railing to compliment the landing and stairs. Underneath the porch we installed a underdeck drainage system called Dry Snap.

Delaware screened porch interior — To add even more light and a chance to enjoy the clouds as they roll through a blue sky, we installed 4 Velux skylights.

Archadeck of Columbus loves working with the client, the lot, the area we have to work with and any nuances or challenges we have to overcome to deliver you a finished product you are seeking.

Interior details of Delaware screen porch — Interior details of the finished porch.

The finished screened porch is a beautiful, functional use of the space allocated by the previous deck’s location. The porch looks as though it was original to the home and boasts some of the most amazing views into the backyard. These Delaware homeowners could not be more pleased.

Contact Archadeck of Columbus today if you have been told by other builders that the outdoor space you desire isn’t possible, we would like to hear your ideas and your vision. More often than not, we can make your dream a reality. Call for a free consultation: (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

You can see more stunning screened porches that double as works of art by visiting our screened porches photo gallery located on our website.

Do you want to enjoy your new deck in Spring or wait until Summer?

Archadeck of Columbus urges homeowners to schedule their outdoor structure endeavor now to ensure a spring ready completion.

Large_Columbus_deck_with_hot_tub_pergola_and_planter — Imagine this beauty ready and waiting for you to enjoy with the first blooms of spring.

Usually our phones start to ring off the hook around Groundhog day each year. Whether it’s only six more weeks to spring, or six more weeks of cold weather, that’s when many people start thinking about getting started on their new deck or porch or patio. No matter how you look at it the answer comes out to the same conclusion. Spring is just around the corner. With that sudden realization, whether it comes from a groundhog, or the first traces of dandelions sprouting under the snow, many homeowners are getting ready to get started on their spring projects.

Spa deck with privacy screen — A new deck or outdoor structure can be ready for you to enjoy this spring.

On average a typical deck project takes about a week to construct. But what takes time if you’re working with a reputable builder is getting your project scheduled. Reputable builders will have projects on the docket and may be 6 or 8 weeks out before they can start your project. Unfortunately, many homeowners wait until they are within the warmer months to begin planning their outdoor project, and this often means a longer wait time to start enjoying the benefits and living outdoors. Right now in early February when people sign, we are scheduling start dates in March for the structures to be ready in April. We serve our customers on a first come, first serves basis and if you wait too long, you won’t be able to enjoy your project this year in the prime months of the year.

Here in Columbus we build year-round and cold weather does not keep us from constructing your deck , screen porch or other structure. It’s so important to call early to avoid long wait times and to ensure you get to enjoy your structure this spring.

Being the early bird is vital in getting the outdoor structure you have dreamed about all winter ready in time for for those warm, sunny days. Contact Archadeck of Columbus to get started. Give us a call for a free consultation and come see us at the Central Ohio Home & Garden Show Sat Feb. 25 – Sun Mar. 4 located in the Celeste building booth #2306 & 2308. See you there!

(740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

Using architectural reveals for your screened porch interior design

Interior of screened room in Powell, OH by Archadeck of Columbus — The interior of this screen porch displays design perfection in every detail

Have you ever been flipping through your favorite home and garden magazine and seen an image that makes you wish you could have something just like it? If you are a proactive homeowner that is always looking for ways to improve upon your home or landscape then the answer is most certainly yes. These Powell, OH homeowners recently turned their dream of having a screen porch into a reality.

It all began when we initially sat down and met to get an idea of what they were looking to build. They told us that what they wanted most was a unique structure and they even gave us some pictures they had clipped out to use as a starting point for their project which showed a very finished structure that had wrapped beams and lots of architectural reveals on the inside and outside. The pictures provided valuable insight into developing the concept of the screen porch’s design. (see picture of clipping below). With the homeowner’s requests in mind we were ready to begin the design process.

Unique and beautiful screen porch in Powell, OH by Archadeck of Columbus — This screen porch in Powell, OH by Archadeck of Columbus is picture perfect in every way.

The finished porch boasts an abundant 16′ x 16′ sq. feet of blissful outdoor living space which includes 9′ high walls which are higher than standard screen porch walls. High ceilings are becoming more and more popular and we like to build the walls of our outdoor structures to match the the walls inside the house on the adjoining room. Your outdoor room is truly an extension of your home.

In terms of trimming out this screen porch, we used “build-up” columns in the screen porches interior. In essence this means we actually build them up to make them appear larger and more finished. By having thicker columns in the middle, we were able to put sconce lights in the interior and these more robust columns add to the elegance of the entire room. When working with certain interior design aspects of an outdoor structure, bigger is usually better, it gives your finished room a richer feel.

Powell, OH screen porch Cedar tongue and groove ceiling detailing

We used Paulownia trim on the posts which comes ready to paint upon installation. On the floor the homeowners chose a pressure-treated pine floor laid on a diagonal pattern. Using pine adds a rustic, natural ambiance to a room like only real wood can, and choosing the diagonal patterning conveys a sense of creativity by steering away from the traditional pattern commonly seen in screen porches. These Powell, OH homeowners played on the rich lines and wood within the flooring and took it a step further by choosing an unfinished cedar tongue and groove ceiling. Also included were some little creature comforts and extras. These included a wall mount system for the homeowners TV, ceiling fans, and ample electrical outlets on those hearty posts.

Powell, Oh screen porch exterior by Archadeck of Columbus — This image shows the majesty of the porches exterior

Of course, the quality and sense of exclusivity was carried on to the exterior as well. We put architectural reveals on the outside with the use of additional trim that creates the appearance of a more layered look which shows shadow lines. We also installed siding on the exterior of the porch and painted it to make it look natural to the house. We used aluminum screen inserts and also placed white reveals around the screens to add character.

If you are looking for a builder that can deliver you a “picture-perfect” outdoor structure, contact Archadeck of Columbus to get started today call us at (740) 879 – 3730 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net

To see more stunning Columbus area screen porches visit our screened porches photo gallery by visiting our website.

Columbus screen porch translating customer design ideas

Interior designs for Columbus sunrooms and room additions

Archadeck of Columbus explores the interior design options and considerations in screen porches, 3 and 4 season rooms and sunroom additions and how they can harmonize so effortlessly with your existing home.

Columbus OH rustic sunroom with exterior grade door

Wouldn’t you love to have that room addition you have always dreamed of? A place to relax, read a book, take a nap or even a room where you can watch the sun fade into the horizon. Nowadays room additions don’t have to be “plain Jane” sheet rock with four walls and no pizzazz. Room additions can come under the guise of many other titles, like sunrooms, 3 and 4 season rooms and even screened porches. Any room that is attached to your existing home that serves to improve your way of life can be a room addition. That being said we are going to explore the interior design options that can be incorporated into various room additions.

When we refer to the term interior design, this does not mean you have to be a licensed interior designer with an association like ASID ( American Society of Interior Designers) in order to turn your room addition into a work of art. The first vital observation to make is to what extent you will be able to trim out your structure and what medium would be appropriate for your structure. This depends solely on what type of structure you choose to build. For example, a screen porch interior can be trimmed out with a myriad of beautiful interior details, but since a screen porch is subject to temperature variance and inherit moisture your interior design choices may be a little more limited than that of a sunroom, which is insulated. By adding insulation, windows and the HVAC you are in essence dealing with an interior room addition that just so happens to take its inspiration from the outside world around you from the beauty of nature and gives us the ability to coexist with that beauty from within an insulated, temperature controlled structure. A sunroom , also referred to as a 4 season room, addition to your home will come with endless interior design possibilities because having insulation and a consistent temperature free from the exposure of possible moisture will give you the ability to explore more options in flooring, ceilings, trim, wall finishes and even furniture and accessories.

Archadeck screened porch — This screened porches interior design gets its inspiration from nature.

Within a screen porch we are seeing many interior choices that reflect the rustic look. Rustic design options include exposed beams, rich deep wood tones used in the floors, bead board or ply bead ceilings, and even the addition of stone fireplaces within the structure. A good analogy is to compare the interior design options that are popularly used in today’s screened porches is a design that mimics a wilderness lodge full of earthy tones and hues that create a natural appeal for such a structure. Making sure your interior design choices are weather-worthy is crucial to the life and required maintenance of your screen porch here in Ohio where the winters can be quite brutal.

Four_Season_Sunroom_with_Tile_Floor — This four season sunroom has a beautiful tile floor.

Once you move into the realm of the 3 season room addition more interior design choices will begin to unfold especially if you choose to build a structure that offers the option of convertibility by changing out the screens for windows when the weather changes such as an Eze Breeze convertible system. In doing this you will expand your choices for suitable design choices . More flooring, wall and finish options are within your grasp. The addition of windows to your 3 season room can open up a world of interior design possibilities.

Notice how this sunroom flows effortlessly to and from the existing homes interior through these stunning french doors.

A sunroom is the coup de grace of room additions. Sunrooms offer an extension of your interior living area that offers a bird’s-eye view of the outside. Sunrooms are insulated, heated, and cooled to keep the room and you at a constant comfortable temperature no matter whether there is snow on the ground or 100 degree temperatures outside. By choosing a sunroom addition you open all the choices in interior designs. With a 4 season room there is no danger of freezing temperatures causing flooring choices such as tile to crack. You also have the ability to trim your 4 season room with interior grade hardwoods without or without rugs used atop, wall-to wall carpeting, and even the popular laminate floors seen readily in today’s homes such as the popular Pergo laminate flooring. By adding the simple element of insulation to your room addition you have opened the door to endless wall finish options as well. Without insulation wall finish options such as crown moldings, faux finishing and even wallpaper aren’t possible because without insulation putting drywall in your room addition is not possible because of the presence of moisture.

This sunroom has track lighting and ceiling fans for added appeal and convenience

No matter what type of room addition you are thinking of, it is important to also consider the way the structure harmonizes with your existing home. Taking into consideration door swings, and traffic flow as you move from the addition into your existing homes interior is important to get the most enjoyment out of your room addition. Taking the functionality of your structure into view is also crucial, for example if you intend to use your structure as an extended room for dining and entertaining close proximity to your homes kitchen would be a necessity for utmost enjoyment. Imagine taking your morning coffee and danish on a sunroom alive with the first morning light, the whole experience can turn from mundane to moving just by your surroundings.

Archadeck of Columbus can plan, design and build the perfect room addition for your home. We make certain that our room additions are cohesive to your existing homes character and style down to even the smallest elements, matching carpet, ceilings , flooring and even paint to ensure your room addition will look original to your home. Contact us today to learn more (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

Visit our screened porches gallery for more images of sunrooms and 3 and 4 season rooms visit our outdoor rooms gallery for design inspirations

Archadeck of Columbus explores ways to enjoy your screen porch all year through

Archadeck of Columbus explores ways to utilize your screened porch well into the autumn or all year through by converting your screen porch into a 3 or 4 season room.

Archadeck of Columbus can convert your screened porch to a 3 or 4 season room

For many homeowners who have a screened porch they look at it as a structure that can only be used during the warmer months of the year and once the weather turns colder they can no longer spend time enjoying their screened structure. Many screened porches are treated much like a seasonal outdoor pool would be, opening in the spring only to close it down a few months later after the warmth of the sun has made its grand appearance and faded back behind the clouds of autumn. This doesn’t have to be the case. There are many ways to convert your screen porch into an outdoor living space that can be used beyond the end of summer and in some cases all year through. These conversions still take advantage of the whole reason you wanted a screen porch to begin with – the freedom and fresh air without the hassle of insects and the suns dangerous UV rays beaming down upon you and your family. These conversions won’t take away all the glory that is the screened porch, only enhance it and make it a livable addition to your home and backyard for extended season enjoyment.

A screen porch does have it’s limitations and in some cases only be used between five and six month out of the year. Screened porches can be converted into 3 and 4 season rooms that can be used for longer time periods throughout the year. If you are considering a new screened porch in your future and think you may want to convert the structure at some point, it is good idea to convey this to your builder so that certain prerequisites for conversion can be met ahead of time, such as the use of standard window sizes to make conversion easier and less hassle in the future.

Here is a look at some of the options available to screened porch owners who are thinking of a conversion:

The addition of windows turn this amazing screened porch by Archadeck of Columbus into a 3 season room

The 3 season room

Converting a screened porch to a 3 season room can be as easy as adding windows. By adding windows you can take advantage of 3 or more months of enjoyment on your screened structure. All windows come with screens that can be used when that Indian summer arrives. Many homeowners use acrylic inserts that block out the weather and when the temperatures dive into a less comfortable zone you can easily add a space heater to add warmth on those days when the windows won’t block a sufficient amount of the chilliness to keep you comfortable while using your screen porch. Vinyl window inserts such as the Eze breeze porch enclosure system, are on a track system and can be opened and closed depending on the weather. Other manufacturers offer a double-paned insulated window that can also be removed in the spring when the weather turns warm. The advantage of having windows and screens is you can amend how your structure functions season to season, and even day to day and customize how much of the outside you want to let inside. Artistic enclosures makes a wonderful swing and slide window wall that is perfect when considering a conversion to a 3 season room for your screened porch.

Sliding glass windows can turn your screen porch into a room for all seasons

The 4 season room

The difference in a 3 season room and a 4 season room is the addition of insulation. These structures can be used throughout most of the year. Insulation is added to the kneewalls, ceiling and underneath the floors. On existing screened porches this requires enclosed walls be re-opened to add the insulation. Making the decision to convert to a 4 season room is based on how often you feel you would use the structure during the cooler months of the year. A 4 season room will still need to have a heating source, whether this heating source is a heat pump or a new MEHVAC unit such as Mitsubishi’s ductless heating and cooling unit, which are engineered to efficiently heat or cool and individual space the functionality of the space throughout the year for you and your family is the deciding factor when thinking of converting to a 4 season room.

No matter how you choose to convert your screen porch, Archadeck of Columbus can help you with our years of experience in converting screen porches to better suit the colder months of our Ohio climate, that can sometimes be harsh. Archadeck of Columbus can meet with you to discuss which conversion would best suit your needs and your lifestyle. Contact us today at (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net
To see more stunning 3 and 4 seasons rooms by Archadeck of Columbus visit our Columbus screen porch photo gallery.