Do you enjoy relaxing on your deck, but wish that you could have maximized every square footage of this area whenever bad weather comes along? Are you hoping to spend more time in your outdoor living space without thinking about outside elements such as dust, bugs, or sudden rainfall? If it is a resounding yes, then patio or deck enclosures are incredible ways to make your outdoor haven more functional. But, which deck enclosure is right for you?Perhaps, you are aware that patio and deck enclosures come in varying requirements, structure, and costs. Whether you just want to savor a good source of fresh air or put an added insulation unit therein, you must know which enclosure is right for you. Climate or geographical location also plays an important factor in deciding which one matches your needs. So, to help you choose which deck or patio enclosure suits your budget, preferences, and needs, let’s explore the comparison, differences, and benefits of each type of enclosure.
Screen Room
If you just want to enjoy a great flow of fresh air and a natural source of sunlight while keeping yourself away from bugs or pests, a screen room might probably be the best choice for you. The room is enclosed with screen frames, preferably lightweight aluminum, to create an unobstructed outdoor view. This type of deck or patio enclosure offers maximum visibility, so you are perfectly bringing the outdoors inside. Though it is most popular during summer when pests are more prevalent, you can also replace the screen with glass if you are planning to extend it for seasonal use. Because of its flexibility, it can be converted into other types of deck enclosures, making it an affordable option for starters. Also, the installation of the screen room is less labor-intensive as opposed to other types of enclosures. It is recommendable for balconies, townhouses, and porches.
Three-Season Room
A three-season room is a perfect choice for homeowners who wish to savor the outdoor view without the need to use it all-year-round. As the name implies, this is ideal for a geographical location that offers its use during three seasons such as summer, fall, and spring. This type of deck or patio enclosure provides a more affordable alternative than four-season rooms or solariums. However, the cost is higher than the screen room because it requires a different kind of material and structure. Construction-wise, the three-season room uses a glass framework to maintain a good temperature inside. You have the option to either select a single- or a double-pane glass. This is depending on your preferences and budget. Unlike the four-season room and solariums, a three-season room does not demand the same amount of insulation. You need not cool or heat the room on an ongoing basis. However, you can still incorporate energy-efficient insulation and glass to enjoy a great outdoor living space. You can also use a portable heating unit during cold weather. To find out the best glass material you can use, you may want to consult a professional contractor near you.
Four-Season Room
Are you planning to use a home enclosure all-year-round without the hassle of annoying pests, changing weather, and climate? If so, a four-season room is an ideal choice for you. This type of deck or patio enclosure extends every season, so you can relax and enjoy the unobstructed outdoor view at any time. Referred to as an all-season room, it has higher energy-efficient glass to withstand heavy wind and snow loads. It also demands the same amount of insulation as the other rooms in the house. That is the reason why a high-quality insulated glass is recommendable, so it can cool and heat the room effectively. A four-season room is a perfect nook that transcends across climate and geographical location. So, no matter where you live, you can always rely on its benefits. However, a four-season room is much more expensive than three-season and screen rooms.
Solarium
Picture yourself lying on a couch under the stars at night or a great view of the sun and clouds in the daytime. When your entire room is enclosed with glass on every corner, all sides, and above, this is nowhere to impossibility. If you want to experience this, you need to build a solarium. With all-glass walls and roofs surrounding the room, you can expect a full view of the outdoors all day long. The experience is better if you use thermally engineered frames and highly efficient insulated glasses. These materials work well on both cooling and heating systems. Not to mention that building a solarium is a unique way to accentuate the value of your property. It offers a more innovative approach to enclosing a room. For an obvious reason, this yields a higher cost on installation, labor, and materials as compared to other patio or deck enclosures.
Benefits Of Patio And Deck Enclosures
Now that you have learned the various types of patio and deck enclosures, it is also important to know how you can maximize these outdoor living spaces. Patio and deck enclosures offer a wide array of benefits to make your home a more relaxing and memorable place to stay in. Let’s run down these advantages.
1. Keep Insects And Bugs Away
Flies, bees, wasps, mosquitoes, and other insects can be annoying while you are trying to relax in your outdoor living space. Worse, these bugs can possibly cause an assortment of illnesses. You can probably use a repellent to keep these insects away, but you may need a frequent application and it can be a little smelly. However, if you have patio or deck enclosures at home, you won’t only enjoy the relaxing outdoor view from the inside, but you will also feel protected against insects and bugs. A sunroom or screen room can surely defend you from these unwelcoming organisms without requiring extra effort.
2. Offer The Best Of Both Worlds
Deck enclosures typically straddle the line between outdoors and indoors, providing a special place where you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Whether it be a sunroom, solarium, or screen room, it is so easy to soak in the serene and natural beauty of your backyard or front yard without the need to worry about exposure to outdoor elements such as the rain, snow, or extreme wind.
3. Provide An Extra Space
If you think that your home is getting crowded because of the growing number of furniture or people, adding deck enclosures could be a solution. A home addition can provide you an extra space where you can stretch out. Patio or deck enclosures can surely make your home less crowded and much larger. A sunroom or screen room can be an extension of the house like an extra bedroom or a second family room. One of the main purposes of building deck enclosures is to offer a separate getaway space where you and your family can create great memories together.
4. Offer Protection From Harsh Elements
Blustery winds, prolonged sun exposure, and soaking rains are undoubtedly unpleasant and annoying. These harsh elements outside can prevent you from using your deck. Not to mention that it poses hazards to you and your family. However, this won’t be a problem if you have patio or deck enclosures at home. You can guarantee that a screen room or sunroom will keep you sheltered, making it convenient for you to enjoy the outdoors.
5. Add Visual Appeal
Building deck enclosures allow you to be more creative when it comes to decorating and design ideas. You can incorporate your own style and personality to complement the structure and style of your home. Whether it be a sunroom or an enclosed porch, it adds appeal and charm to your home.
6. Enjoy An Extra Space For Gatherings And Hobbies
Do you frequently love to entertain large parties of families and friends at home? If so, patio or deck enclosures are the perfect places to host some events. You do not need to use a living room or kitchen to host a gathering. Your guest will surely love to spend more time in a sunroom or screen room. Whether it be a casual brunch, an evening of cocktails, or a birthday party, your patio or deck enclosure is an excellent place to entertain your guests.In addition to parties and special occasions, you can also use your home addition as a great place to enhance your craft. Whichever hobbies it may be—scrapbooking, writing, or playing instruments—your patio or deck enclosure can be a dedicated space for your artistic pursuits.
7. Provide Health Benefits
Adding deck enclosures won’t only enhance aesthetic appeal to your home, but they also provide health benefits to you and your family. With the help of your sunroom or screen room, you can have regular exposure to sunlight, which can do wonders for your body and health. Exposure to sunlight early in the morning has been shown to give a stronger immune system, help lower blood pressure, reduce high cholesterol levels, and boost Vitamin D. These benefits can make your body much healthier.
8. Create An Excellent Space For Plants
If you are a plant enthusiast, a sunroom is a great place for your plants. They can soak up the sun and live comfortably inside your sunroom. While this home addition is not the same as a greenhouse, your plants can have good access and exposure to the sun. The glass ceiling and walls of your sunroom can trap the heat and provide a warm atmosphere that your plants need to grow and flourish. In return, your plants can help improve air circulation and quality inside your home. Not to mention that these plants also add appeal and character to your home.
9. Get To Experience The Natural Sunlight
The great thing about having a patio or deck enclosure at home is that you can get to experience the benefits of natural sunlight. The natural light adds a homey feeling, especially over a good book or a cup of morning coffee.
10. Build A Home Office
Working from home can be quite difficult, but the most challenging part is searching for the right spot at home. You need to have a special nook where you can maximize your productivity. You need a place where your brain can fully function and won’t think about the “home mode” all the time. In this case, the perfect answer is to use your deck enclosure. This home addition allows you to work from home efficiently without being distracted as you can set it up as a separate room for work. Transition your sunroom or screen room as a home office while enjoying the benefits of seeing the beauty of your outdoor view.
11. Create A Playroom For Kids
If you have young kids at home and you want to make them safe, then a patio or deck enclosure can be an excellent play area for them. Use it as a space where they can play around, spread out, and have fun. It is a great space to keep their toys instead of scattering them all over your house. Not only your kids can make messes and play around, but they can also experience the health benefits of sunshine. Plus, it keeps them safe indoors.
12. Increase Your Home’s Resale Value
One of the best advantages of having a deck enclosure is that it increases your property’s real estate value. It adds square footage to your house, so it can command a higher value to your home. Adding a deck enclosure won’t only provide you great outdoor living space, but it can also become a substantial investment in the long run. It can be an excellent selling point by the time that you are ready to market your property for sale.
Final Thoughts
Converting your existing deck or patio into an enclosure adds value to your home. It also increases your property’s marketability if by any chance you want to sell it in the future. However, the process of enclosing your outdoor space entails thorough planning as there are factors you need to ascertain. To identify which type of patio or deck enclosure is right for your home, you need to know your budget, materials, existing structure or foundation of the house, climate, to name a few. These factors play vital roles, so you can save time and money before you move the project into construction. You may want to consult a professional contractor, so you can derive an expert recommendation. This route might have been more manageable and less hassle, to begin with. If you partner with a professional contractor who knows all the processes, then you can guarantee an excellent outcome. Now is the time to convert your deck or patio into an enclosure. Feel free to connect with us today and schedule a free in-home consultation!