Stylish porch enclosures can offer you and your family an outdoor recreational area perfect for sharing summer meals or just relaxing in the fresh air. They allow you to embrace the beauty of nature from the comfort of your own home. There are a wide range of outdoor porch enclosures available, so it is important to do your research to find out which style is the perfect fit for your family. Not only do porch enclosures offer unmatched natural light and can often be climate-controlled (in three-season and four-season rooms), but they can even be customized to suit your specific wants and needs. Here is a breakdown of some of the available styles of porch enclosures:
· Screened-In Rooms
Screened-in rooms offer optimal air flow, allowing you to enjoy your porch during the hottest days of the summer. The screens are designed to promote air flow while preventing mosquitoes and other insects from gaining access to the room. Essentially, it is a room with the comforts of your home and the feel of the outdoors. Screened-in porches are often the most affordable option, as you do not need to be concerned about insulation.
· Three-Season Rooms
Three-season rooms are designed to be enjoyed from the spring to fall. Outfitted with large glass windows, three-season rooms allow you to enjoy the beauty of your yard without having to face the elements. Three-season rooms are not designed for long-term climate control, but a small space heater or fan can go a long way to keeping you at your ideal temperature, depending on the season.
· Four-Season Rooms
Offering the best of both worlds, four-season rooms are built with standard insulation, allowing you to enjoy it throughout the entire year. Often fitted with large glass windows, four-season porch enclosures allow you to decorate the room with real furniture, as it is more of an indoor space than an outdoor space. While the glass design allows you to absorb the beauty of nature, you will never have to face the elements.
· Solariums
Solariums take the glass design to the next level, often featuring floor-to-ceiling windows designed to let in as much as possible. Many solariums are even designed with a glass roof, allowing you to see the stars on clear nights. Not only is it a beautiful, natural addition to your home, but a solarium can even be heated or cooled to allow for year-round access.
Questions to Ask when Designing a Custom Porch Enclosure
Once you have decided on the kind of porch enclosure you want for your home, you can start planning the details. There are many factors that must be considered when choosing the perfect enclosure. Here are a few questions to ask yourself during the planning phase:
· What is the purpose of the room?
Once you have a better understanding of how you intend to use the room, you can begin to plan the construction. Some people simply want a comfortable escape from the bugs in the summer, making a screened room a great choice. Others want to use this space as an extension of their home, so a four-season room is ideal for them.
· During which seasons do you intend to use the porch?
enjoy their porch year-round, while others simply need it as a refuge in the summer to escape the house and get some fresh air. When choosing whether or not to insulate and winterize your porch enclosure, be sure to consider your budget; four-season rooms are much more expensive and require a foundation and insulation, while a screened-in porch is a much more affordable and practical option for those who only want to use it in the summer.
· Are there any obstacles you must consider?
During the design phase, it is important to identify any obstacles that must be considered before construction. Windows, doors, balconies, water access, and many other things must be considered before building a porch enclosure. Also, for those in climates with lots of snow, be sure to consider how rain, ice, and heavy snow may impact your plans.
· Do you need a foundation?
Many Canadian homes are built with a foundation that includes their porch, offering unmatched stability and security. In the Canadian climate, it is important that your deck or porch has a foundation and meets allbuilding codes before turning it into a three-season or four-season room. Be sure to factor the cost of a foundation into your plans, if you do not already have one.
·Why choose us?
At Smart Choice Windows, we offer comprehensive door, , and porch enclosure services including installation, renovation, repair, and replacement. Our team has years of experience designing and installing custom windows and doors for families in the GTA, and we are happy to work with contractors to ensure you get the perfect windows for your porch enclosure.
