a screened porch with wood trim and a stone fireplace

When it comes to enhancing your home’s or business’s outdoor living space, porches are a popular choice. However, the decision between an open porch and a screened-in porch can be a challenging one, as both options offer unique advantages and disadvantages. At Screen Porch, we’ve helped numerous homeowners and business owners improve the quality of their lives and increase the value of their property through a seamless screen porch installation using our SNAPP® screen technology, and you could benefit from it too! 

Curious to learn more about the nuances of installing a screen porch before committing to the investment? From the screen porch experts, what follows is a comprehensive guide to the pros and cons of a screened porch for your home or business.

What is a Screened Porch? 

A screened-in porch is an enclosed porch with screened windows or frames. Porches are normally attached to your home’s foundation and the screening material requires some form of mounting technology. The screens themselves are made from a mesh material, which can be anything from fiberglass to stainless steel. 

By transforming a space that was once exposed to the elements and pests into an expanded living space built for comfort, entertainment, and outdoor relaxation, screening your porch is a guaranteed way to optimize its value and practicality. 

New Porch Screen Advancements

Thanks to advancements brought about through the development of SNAPP® screen, screened porches have never been easier to implement. By eliminating the need to use multiple components and multiple-step screening systems, SNAPP® screen helps save time and money when it comes to installation while significantly improving the aesthetic quality of screened porches. Almost every screening problem can be solved with SNAPP® screen. It is specifically designed to be adaptable to a wide spectrum of screening situations and will work with almost any shape or size opening. 

SNAPP® screen significantly increases the benefits offered by a screened porch, but more on that later. 

Pros of a Screened Porch 

There are a plethora of noteworthy benefits provided by a screened porch. Let’s look at a few reasons that make screened-in porches an in-demand addition for homeowners and businesses alike:

Bug Protection

One of the biggest advantages of a screened porch is that it keeps out bugs and pests. If you live in an area where mosquitos and other pesky insects are common, we’re sure you’ll love the peace of mind knowing that you have an outdoor space free of irritations. Between protection from insects like moths, mayflies, and mosquitoes, and pests like squirrels and hungry birds, your screened porch will be an outdoor haven. 

Debris Protection

While it’s likely that you’ll need to clean the screens of a screened-in porch periodically, the porch itself will stay much cleaner. Whether it’s for a home or a commercial restaurant, a screened porch will help prevent debris from entering your porch space. This means you won’t have to sweep or vacuum often, and your outdoor furniture will be well-maintained for longer.

Pet-Friendly

Screened porches are pet-friendly, and they allow you to let your dogs (or cats) outside without the worry of them being harassed by pests and insects. They can stay comfortable and occupied and even take a long snooze outside on the porch rather than inside on your furniture! 

Easy Installation

As we mentioned above, screened porches are quick and easy to install, especially thanks to the advent of SNAPP® screen. SNAPP® screen is extremely simple to use and no special tools, equipment, or skills are required. Trade professionals and DIYers will find installation extremely straightforward.

More Living Space

Related to the relative protection and comfort that they provide, screened porches increase the living space that your home or business provides. Want to find some quiet space to read your book, or need more space to host dinners? Screened porches substantially grow the usable space on your property.

Increased Property Value

When considering all the above, a comfortable, safe, and beautiful screened porch will undoubtedly increase the value of your property, whether it is a commercial establishment or the patio of your home. It will improve the quality of life for yourself, your family, and your guests, but if you plan on selling soon, it will also help your property demand a higher buying price. 

Cons of a Screened Porch

While a screened porch comes with extensive benefits, there are some disadvantages to be aware of, including:

Upfront Cost 

Naturally, due to the increased amount of building materials and time required, a screened porch will come with a slightly higher upfront cost than if you were to forgo the screen. However, keep in mind that SNAPP® screen makes installation extremely quick and hassle-free. 

Additional Maintenance

To some degree, a screened porch may require more maintenance. For example, while your screened porch will help prevent the intrusion of dust, debris, insects, and pests, it will thus require a quick cleaning from time to time. Keep in mind that even though the screen will require some maintenance, it’s also keeping the interior of your porch (and its furniture) far safer and cleaner which offsets the screen’s needs. 

The Bottom Line: Invest in Comfort 

Screened porches are a great way to invest in the quality of your home or business, enabling an enjoyable, comfortable, and safe way to enjoy the outdoors. SNAPP® screen from the experts at Screen Porch makes installation far easier and less expensive as well. So why wait? If you’re interested in improving your home or business with a screened porch, come learn more about how Screen Porch can impact your life today!