Screened Rooms – Page 2 – Columbus Decks, Porches and Patios by Archadeck of Columbus

Top 10 Reasons to Build Your New Screened Porch in the Fall

Fall is the perfect time to build and enjoy a screened porch by Archadeck of Columbus. Here are ten reasons why autumn is the opportune time to bring your dream of a screened porch to life.

Archadeck of Columbus screened porch — This screened porch by Archadeck of Columbus offers you a front row seat to fall.

If ever there were a season to stir emotions and inspiration it would undoubtedly be autumn. The sights and smells of fall can transport you to a new level of happiness, with local farmers peddling their seasonal wares of crisp, fresh apples and rotund pumpkins. Nature seems to come alive with leaves ablaze with shades of gold and crimson. Mother nature paints her masterpiece in the fall, wouldn’t now be the perfect time to create a masterpiece in your landscape with the addition of a stunning outdoor structure such as a screened porch ? Imagine the glories of fall that you could experience first hand in your screened porch that would otherwise only be possible from the kitchen window. The aroma of autumn, the scenic imagery, the wildlife in their scurry to get ready for the winter ahead can all be witnessed while enjoying your screened porch that will come with an all access front row seat to autumn.

Archadeck of Columbus interior views of this stunning screened porch

Making the decision to build your screened porch in the fall also gives you many opportunities to enjoy activities that would not be possible in the summer heat or the harsh winds of winter. Imagine an autumn morning in your fluffy bathrobe, sipping a warm cup of latte’ in your favorite outdoor chair with its overstuffed cushions surrounding you in comfort as you turn to see two squirrels playing tag right before your eyes, all the while you hear the whir of your laptop as you check your emails and schedule for the day. All this is possible on your screened porch. Choosing a fall construction makes it possible to enjoy your new outdoor structure any time of the day, morning, noon and night. The temperatures in the fall are mild and can make any time of the day a joy, and a perfect time to use your outdoor structure. If you are still on the fence about starting your screened porch now or waiting, here are a few reasons to inspire you to move forward this fall.

Screened porch by Archadeck of Columbus — Imagine the vistas of each season you could take in from a screened porch like this.

Here is a list of the top 10 reasons to build your new screened porch in the fall as opposed to any other time of the year.

#1) No waiting in lines– That’s right, in the fall the backlog is smaller, therefore the waiting list to have structures built is much shorter. This means you will get to enjoy your new structure much sooner than if you make the decision to build in the spring or summer months. After all, no one likes to wait in a line very long.

#2) Easier on the pocketbook– The potential demand on building materials in the industry can lead to lower costs. Meaning when the demand on materials is lower, then usually this impacts the price as well. In some instances, good things come to those who wait.

#3) Less lifestyle interruption– Construction during the fall and into the winter will cause less of an interruption in your life since most people use their yards less during these months. This means the noises and materials will be less of an annoyance than they would be when you are using the yard a lot during the spring and summer months. Out of sight means out of mind.

Columbus_screened_porch_with_Plybead — Screened porch by Archadeck of Columbus

#4) Tax time– Building an outdoor structure during the later months of the year will in some cases help you when it comes tax time.

#5) Bargain shopper– If you were planning on purchasing new outdoor furnishings to use within your screened porch, then fall is the ultimate time to find quality outdoor furnishings at discounted prices. You can take advantage of those off-season discounts and get more for your money.

#6) Beat the heat– Lower humidity and lower temperatures is easier on the installers. Crisp temperatures such as the ones seen in the fall equal builders that tire less easily, and require fewer Gatorade breaks as well.

#7) Lower payments– The interest rates are still really low. If you plan to finance your screened porch, the current standing in the economy will mean a lower payment for you each month.

Columbus_screened_porch_cedar_wrapped_rustic_feel — This Columbus screened porch uses wrapped cedar for a rustic look and feel

#8) Less damage to turf– Choosing to build now will impact your lawn and landscape less than if you chose to build during the spring and summer months. Wet turf damages more easily, as does turf that is under heat stress from temperatures and higher humidity, building in the fall will ensure you avoid both of these obstacles.

#9) Wood is good– We are building with wood, so it is possible to build year round. Keep in mind that lower humidity allows materials to season over the winter and be ready for spring as well.

#10) Spring ready– Making the decision to build your screened porch now not only ensures you will begin enjoying the glories of autumn, it also means when spring has sprung your structure will be ready. If you wish to wait until spring, you can sign up now to be one of the first on the list for a start date.

Now, with all this in mind, what are you waiting for? Archadeck of Columbus can plan, design and build your structure in time to capitalize on the majesty of autumn’s beauty. Our professional and talented staff have years of experience in helping homeowners, like yourself, harness the beauty of each season with an outdoor structure custom-built by Archadeck of Columbus. Contact us today at (740) 879 – 3730 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net

See more gorgeous screened porches by visiting our galleries at http://columbus.archadeck.com/pickYourProject/ScreenedPorches.html

To convert or not to convert, that is the question.

Archadeck of Columbus discusses the A,B,C’s of converting a deck into a screened porch. In a frank and sincere manner to convey what every homeowner considering a conversion such as this needs to know.

Convert_your_patio_to_a_screened_porch — Should you convert you deck or patio to a screened porch?

Would you like to forgo applying sunscreen or insect repellent every time you go outside to spend time on your deck or patio? If so, Archadeck of Columbus may just have a solution. Conversion of your deck or patio into a screened porch. Sounds enticing doesn’t it? Imagine, no bugs, no burn, just pure unbridled enjoyment. In most cases, conversions such as these can be quite possible but you have to make sure that you hire a builder who is knowledgeable in decks and outdoor structures such as this. Several factors come into play when you consider a deck-to-screened porch conversion.

Whether a conversion is possible first begins with the “bare bones” of your existing deck. A good majority of decks are not built to substantiate the weight of a roof, so you will need to first verify it is built strong enough to withstand a roof addition. Another factor is how was the deck originally built and what kind of foundation does it have? What kind of joists and beams does the deck have? All these are important questions that have to be addressed before planning can even begin. In many cases we can retrofit the structure by installing new footers to substantiate the new weight that would be necessary to encompass adding a roof. A foundation which is strong enough to support a roof needs to go all the way to the corners of the structure. So, if you wish to expand and add a new roof, the foundation of the structure must be extended and new footers created at the corners to support and hold the weight. What seems like the most simple of questions has to be answered prior to any of the above moving forward, most importantly, can the builder even get underneath the structure to reinforce it?

timbertech deck and screen porch — TimberTech deck and screen porch by Archadeck of Columbus

Don’t fret. Everything a quality builder does has to be properly permitted and inspected. This means the previous structure you have, if it passed inspection, should be deemed sound as a deck. But it may well not be strong enough to withstand the weight of a roof because it wasn’t made that way. Be aware from the beginning that most builders will only warrant the framed portion of the structure that they build. This means if something goes awry with the substructure as a result of adding a new roof, you cannot use their warranty anymore. This is why Archadeck of Columbus recommends a porch builder reinforce the foundation so it supports the new roofed structure.

Even if it is not possible to convert your deck or patio into a screened porch, many builders, us included, offer the customer a chance to build the backyard of their dreams through “staged building”. This actually means that we can plan and build your outdoor living structure(s) in stages according to your budget. Many times you can’t afford the entire dream backyard all at once, so we give you the opportunity to build it a little at a time. The huge benefit in doing this means that you stay poised for growth. For example, we can design and install a stunning deck or patio knowing that in the future when you want a screened porch, the foundation has been laid to do so. We make sure the structure is already constructed to reflect and accommodate future changes.

If you are considering a deck to screened porch conversion, or would like to inquire about our staged building, contact Archadeck of Columbus. We can inspect your existing structure and detail a plan to discuss the options you have available.

(740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

The Design Series: Considerations When Finishing Out Your Screened Porch

Part two of our Design Series on screened porches focuses on considerations when finishing out your screened porch. How to use natural light to optimize enjoyment and the importance of envisioning traffic flow.

001 — Where the sun hits your structure during the day for warmth and natural light is an important consideration

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.

115 — A screened porch with good traffic flow

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

The Design Series – Considerations in Constructing a Screened Porch- How Big Should your Screened Porch Be?

Part one of our “Design Series” about considerations when constructing a screened porch. How big should your screened porch be? Archadeck of Columbus gives you helpful hints on ways to determine the best size screened porch to fit your needs and lifestyle.

How big should my screened in porch be? This is a question many of our clients ask us when considering the addition of a screened in porch. We like to meet with our clients in the planning stages so we can devise a plan on the size their particular structure needs to be to fit all their needs.

105 — Large screened porch with fireplace

The first factor we need to discuss when considering how large to build the screened porch is what will it predominately be used for? Will it be used for dining or gathering, or both? What else will it be used for?

A good rule of thumb if you are planning to use the screened in porch as an outdoor dining area is to chart how large it needs to be by going into your dining room and measure it. An addition is sometimes hard to visualize when it’s not furnished, and going into your actual dining room space with furniture will set a realistic goal to judge how much room you will actually need.

109 — Screened porches add outdoor living space

Another question we ask our clients is the size of the furniture which will be used inside the screened porch. If you will be using it as an outdoor dining area, have you decided upon a table yet? If so, how big is it? If not how big do you want your table to be? You always want to leave a clearance area of about four feet outside the table so you have ample room to walk around the table when it is not in use, and plenty of room to pull out the chairs to a comfortable distance when in use. If you are sitting back after eating, we recommend additional space. These are the sorts of things you may not think about. But, you really have to envision yourself living in the space you are thinking about all the way down to the size of the table and how you and your guests will congregate around the table and the other furniture.

There are some more things to think about. Will you be adding perimeter furniture such as couches, chairs, tables or decorative furniture pieces? If the answer is yes, then you will want to plan for those additional pieces to fit comfortably and not overcrowd your usable living space. Some of our clients use their screened porch as an outdoor living room. If you are thinking about using your outdoor room as an outdoor living room, go into your living room and measure the room and furniture in the same manner.

020 — Beautiful view of screened porch and patio at dusk

We are always asked the question is there a “standard” or “common” size for a screened porch? They vary quite a bit, but 12×14 and 14×16 are quite common sizes. The dimensions of the screened porch come into play more with a covered area because when you put a roof over it, it becomes defined. The screened porch must be able to accommodate your furniture comfortably and leave enough space in between to be able to flow through the room easily. This is why planning is so important.

Archadeck of Columbus can meet with you and create a design rendering taking all of your individual needs into consideration. We treat each screened porch we design as unique and individual. A design rendering will help you visualize your dream, and then we can start from there, bringing the dream to life. Give us a call to get the ball rolling (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

Top 10 Reasons for Building a Screen Porch

Here are top reasons why consumers add screen porches to their homes.

Shade
No Bug Spray
Darkened Screens reduce UV exposure
Enjoy the outdoors with a “bit” of privacy
No Bug Spray
Increase the Value of your Home
Enjoy a thunderstorm without getting wet
Create the look of a rustic cabin in your own backyard
Significant reduction in wood maintenance with a roof
No Bug Spray

What is it about Screen Porches? I dont know anyone I’ve ever met whom didn’t enjoy the setting and atmosphere of a porch.

Cedar Screen Porch — Screen Porch, Columbus, Ohio

For me it was indoctrination. We have a cabin in Canada that my grandfather built in the late 1930’s. There is no better place than sitting on that Screen Porch. The view is spectacular, but the fun part is watching all the bugs fighting to get in from outside. If you have ever ventured up north, they are more mosquitos than maple leafs!

I always ask folks why they are interested in adding a screen porch. Most of the responses are similar to my story and the main reasons are listed above but many more exist. Give us a call should you wish to explore the options!

Cheers!