How to Get the Best Screen Porch ROI

Outdoor living spaces are among the best investments you can make in your home to improve its resale value. In fact, most homeowners are able to get around a 75 percent return on investment for a screened-in porch. To help ensure you capitalize on your investment, here are seven ways to get the best screen porch ROI.

7 Tips for Best ROI on Your Screened-In Porch

1. Keep the project budget down.

If you build a standard pressure-treated porch for around $35,000, you’re likely to see close to that 75 percent figure. If you invest in a high-end model with fancier materials and features at the same size for $50,000, then you might see an ROI of 50 percent, or even lower.

2. Consider size first.

What matters most is the total new usable outdoor space you’re adding to the home, not the total finished look. When deciding between making a larger porch or opting for fancier finishes, in most cases, the extra space is a better investment than the special feature.

3. Consider your location.

If you live in an area where screened-in porches are typical and can be enjoyed during several times of the year, then adding one to a home that doesn’t have one can be a great investment. If you live in an area with year-round cold weather, where you’re unlikely to get much use out of the porch, this project probably isn't right for you and your home.

4. Skip electrical.

If your goal is to get the maximum return on investment for the project, then features like recessed lights, low-voltage lighting, and sconce lighting will drive up the cost of your porch but not necessarily the resale value of your home.

5. Opt for pressure-treated wood.

High-end materials, such as Zuri decking, can help you get the most out of your porch over the next 20 to 30 years, reducing maintenance and extending the lifespan of the porch. If you plan to sell soon, though, you’ll simply be paying to benefit the next homeowner, who will enjoy those diminished maintenance costs. Pressure-treated wood projects can be just as functional and just as beautiful, and you’ll save money upfront.

6. Consider regional concerns.

In the Maryland or Virginia area, one of the primary reasons people want a screened-in porch over an open deck is protection from bugs. If that’s the case in your area, you want to ensure your porch is bug-free. For instance, the weave on screens must too tight for bugs to enter. The floorboards must also actively stop bugs and critters from getting in.

The best way to determine what people are looking for in a porch in your area is to ask a real estate agent or your contractor.

7. Don’t worry about the view.

If you have a beautiful backyard or live near a lake, forest, or other spectacular view, you might be concerned with how the screen itself will impact your enjoyment of the scenery…and also the value of your home. New screen porch screens are nearly invisible, so you’ll still be able to see the outdoors just as well. But now you’ll be able to sit outside and enjoy it more often. That can actually increase the value of that beautiful view as well.

A screened-in porch is a good financial bet as a homeowner, but so are most other outdoor remodeling projects that add usable space to your home. This includes decks or porches that aren't screened in. Screened-in porches are good for areas where bugs, privacy, and rainy weather are concerns. Consider your own needs and what type of outdoor project will give you the most use out of your backyard throughout the year.

Curious What a Screened Porch Costs?

Looking to get an idea of how much a screened-in porch would cost in your home? Get a no-obligation quote today.