A crumbling pool deck made out of concrete; a decrepit swimming pool unused by her, her husband, or their grown family; a five-year-old screened porch too small to serve any function, tacked onto her house as more of an afterthought during an otherwise stellar kitchen renovation. One Bethesda homeowner decided her backyard was in need of a rejuvenation, and we were more than happy to help.

So you’ve decided to build a screened-in porch. You want the fun and enjoyment of being connected to the outside, but also the comfort of being protected from the elements – both weather and pesky little critters. Now you are mulling the next big question: should you go with traditional wooden decking or a synthetic decking material?

How to design a pleasant open patio in a mosquito-plagued neighborhood

Ali wanted a unique outdoor living space for the Bethesda home he had just purchased with his wife. Devoid of features other than a small grill and a retaining wall, his modest yard was to be remodeled based on his love for cooking and entertaining his family and friends.

How an innovative design emerged from a desire for a patio in Howard County

There are many reasons to add a screened-in porch to your home. It adds to the usable space that you have. It allows you to enjoy the outdoors without having to be at the mercy of insects or weather. It provides a dedicated area for people to gather for parties and big family events.

But one of the questions people always have when they contact us about building a screen room has more to do with the future than their present-day enjoyment: what kind of return on investment does a screened-in porch offer?