Backyard Porch: Screened in or Sunroom?

Backyard porches are great for entertaining – and if you live in the south, you will be able to use the porch year-round. It can be screened in or glassed (commonly called a sunroom). An enclosed porch can be used as an outdoor kitchen or another living area – but what is better – a glassed in porch or a screened in porch?

Glassed in porches allow you to have more protection from the elements than a screened in porch allows, but does not allow for the open circulation of the fresh, cool air, unless you install windows that open and close. A glassed in porch can also be heated or cooled. Both add value to the home, but a glassed in porch will add more value heat and air conditioning is installed.

While the screened in porch provides some protection from the elements, it still does not keep the humidity out, so items placed on the porch should be weather resistant. If it is a heated and cooled glassed in porch, you do not have to worry about the humidity damaging items such as a pool table or indoor furniture.

For those who like to be close to nature and like to relax outside, a screened in porch provides this ability and protects you from the mosquitoes and other bugs. A glassed in porch feels more like sitting in your living room.

If you have a pool, a screened in porch is much easier to wrap around the porch and the pool, and lets the humidity from the pool out to the open air, providing a comfortable place to relax. A sunroom, while it can be built around the pool, is cost prohibitive and does not allow the humidity from the pool to escape.

A glassed in porch, depending on the area you live in, may also be cost prohibitive, even for a smaller space, wherein a screened in porch is much more affordable. Also, someone who is handy with tools can easily build the screened porch himself. If you live in a state prone to hurricanes, a screened in porch is less likely to be damaged by the winds, and if it is damaged, can be easily and rather cheaply repaired.

One of the less important things to consider, but it should still be a consideration, is if you have rowdy friends or even larger dogs. The screen on the screened in porch can be easily damaged, but if someone leans against glass or runs into it with something hot (such as a lit cigarette), it is not as likely to get damaged. Dogs will not be able to tear the glass if they paw it.

While screen is cheaper than glass to build, screen will also wear out over time, and will have to be replaced, no matter how well you take care of the enclosed porch. Glass may break or crack, but chances are, will not need to be replaced as often as screen might need to be replaced.

Whichever way you decide to go, adding additional covered space to your home will bring its value up and give you more space for relaxing or entertaining.