Everything You Need to Know about Enclosing an Existing Outdoor Space

I have an open outdoor living space. What are my options for enclosing it? Lots of homeowners have this question run through their minds every day. Whether you have a front porch with a roof but no screens, a deck, a double deck without screens, or a patio, the logistics of how to enclose an existing outdoor space is one of the most common questions posed to design and build firms. Get the rundown here of everything you need to know.

Bug Protection for Your Screened-In Porch

If there’s a way into your screen porch, you can bet pests will find it. In a well-built screen porch, the door should be the only potential way a pest can find its way into the room.

In order to effectively protect against bugs, a screen porch must be completely enclosed, but if your porch wasn’t well built from the start, it is often the deck floorboards that were overlooked. Traditional decking has a 1/8” or 1/4” gap between boards, which is more than enough room for mosquitoes or other bugs to crawl through.

Here are the three most effective ways you can build or update a structure to provide more complete protection from creepy-crawlies.

Adding Electric and Lighting to a Screened Porch: 5 Things to Consider

More and more people are coming to Design Builders asking to install infrared heaters in existing structures.  Its complicated for a few reasons.  One of the biggest is power.  Adding electrical and lighting elements to a screened-in porch is a great way to make the space as comfortable, usable, and functional as any interior area. However, as with any construction project, there are some considerations to keep in mind before you jump headfirst into the work. Here are the top five things to think through as you plan and design your ideal screened-in porch.

What Are the Benefits of Archatrak Porcelain Pavers for Rooftop Decks and Outdoor Living Spaces?

Undertaking any home improvement project can be stressful. With so many factors to consider—from price to maintenance to appearance—picking a material for any home project is enough to make your head spin! If you’re currently looking for a material to surface your deck, patio, or terrace, you’re probably very familiar with this problem. As you work through your research process, though, just make sure you know all your available choices; that is, don’t fall into the trap of believing your only options are wood, stone, or concrete pavers. While you might not have immediately thought of porcelain pavers for your upcoming project, consider these top eight reasons Archatrak deserves to be at the top of your list.

How to budget for a screened porch addition and keep your costs down

Fact: Screened rooms cost roughly twice the amount of money to build than decks. If you're given a $30,000 estimate to construct a backyard deck in Maryland, you can safely double that to $60,000 for a realistic glimpse at what adding a screened-in porch would look like in the same area.