What factors determine the cost of upgrading to a screened room?

If you own a classic screened porch, you know the pleasures only screened rooms can provide. For years, it’s given you and your family shade from the hot sun and cool rain. It has protected your family from pesky insects while allowing you all to enjoy the benefits of fresh, natural air. Your screen room has been the venue for countless family gatherings, celebrations, and lazy Sunday afternoons.

Screened porches and exterior decks are similar in many ways. They are both used for leisure and are attached to the exterior of a home. The major difference that distinguishes a screened porch from a deck? A roof.

The Professional Approach to Installing a Porch Screen

Not too long ago, there was only one method of installing a screen for a screened-in porch. This old-fashioned method was a cumbersome process which involved attaching screens to porch railings and posts using small tacks, staples, or nails. These fasteners were then covered by wooden lattice strips that served as trim. Nowadays, manufacturers have conceived better screen installation methods that are longer lasting and on the radar of up-to-date screen porch contractors.

If you live in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, you know the weather isn’t always kind to us. During the winter, cold rain can blanket the ground in frost. During the spring, storms stir up debris. On summer days, the hot sun beats down onto our sidewalks, and come nightfall, insects emerge in droves.

So how can you enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors while staying safe from harsh elements and pesky pests? One solution is to build a screened porch. The cost of your total project will be significantly affected by the type of decking material you choose. In this post, we’ll delve a little deeper into the advantages and disadvantages of two popular types of decking material — hardwood vs. Zuri decking.

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?