As longtime Georgia residents and the leading landscape architects in Atlanta, we know that having a deck or patio is a great addition to any home. However, when the weather is hot- as Georgia summers can be - it is nice to have a place where you can enjoy the outdoors without being completely in the line of the sunlight. This is where a screened-in porch comes in.

While a patio or deck is a great addition to any home, there is just something g special about a screened-in porch. It offers several benefits making it a great way to add living space to your home.

Benefits of Having a Screened-In Porch

Protection from the Sun

We all know how hot a Georgia summer can get! And while being in the sun might appeal to some, being able to enjoy the day while blocking the intensity of the sun’s rays is a wonderful option. In the Atlanta area, many homeowners opt to have a ceiling fan installed as part of the makeover, so you have some airflow while minimizing the intensity of the heat. The screened-in porch also means you can relax ‘outside’ without concern of getting sunburned.

Extra Room

Sometimes you just need a little extra space for family and friends. A screened-in porch is like having an extra living room, office space, dining room, or game room- or whatever type of space you want it to be. While the screened-in aspect will already give a certain amount of privacy, one could also add decorative screens to block off a portion of the porch to be an ‘outdoor’ bedroom, or perhaps set up exercise gear for a home gym. Other homeowners choose to use the space as a reading nook, a craft area, a mini kitchen, or a place for gaming and entertainment. The best part? Whatever your plans are, the Outdoor Makeover team can create it.

Added Value

A screened-in porch is not included in the square footage of a home, but it does add to the value.  According to Home Advisor, a screened-in porch has a nationwide average ROI of 75%. This number is higher in states where hot summer weather is common; in Georgia, the ROI on a screened porch is 84%. 

Protection against Bugs

For those prone to mosquito bites, or want to be able to enjoy the outdoors without fear of bee stings, this is the answer! The tight ‘weave’ of the screen, keeps bugs out while allowing summer breezes to pass through. No more porch picnics shared with the bugs! Just relaxing in comfort.

Screened-in Porch offers Protection from the Weather

While a screened-in porch doesn’t have insulation on all 4 sides, it does offer covering. And, if you have awnings included as part of the design, there is some extra shade, as well. Sit outside when it’s raining without getting wet, or enjoy a breezy fall day without dodging leaves- the choices are endless!

Added Architectural Design

Many homes are pretty basic- they have siding or brick exterior all the way around. Adding a screened-in porch changes the exterior of a home by adding depth and a focal point to the structure.

The Privacy

A screened-in porch offers you the ability to see beyond your porch, while those passing by cannot easily see in. Passerbys may see something/someone on the porch but they will need to get much closer to truly see. Because many are at the side or back of a home, landscape features can provide additional privacy.

Get in touch with Nature

Do you live in an area where seeing birds, rabbits, deer, or other wildlife is common? Having a screened-in porch allows you the perfect spot to observe nature without disturbing the wildlife.

These are just some of the benefits of a screened-in porch. From creating a quiet meditation nook to an extra entertainment space, this space will quickly become everyone’s favorite spot to be!

Having a screened-in porch is a definite boon to any home in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Talk to the best backyard landscape designers in Marietta and East Cobb today.

The post Screened-in Porch Benefits for Outdoor Living Experience appeared first on Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces.

A screened-in porch can be the perfect addition to your home. In recent years they have grown more popular due to their ability to provide both the openness of an outside environment and the comfort of being indoors. Screened-in porches are the perfect outdoor lounging area without the nuisances of bugs or the overbearing Atlanta sun. Whether you're having friends over to enjoy the fall weather or enjoying a cup of tea while doing some leisurely reading, adding a screened-in porch can do wonders for your home aesthetic and lowering your stress levels. Here are some ways you can vamp up your porch aesthetic.

1. Sky light: Installing a sky light is a fantastic way to bring natural light into your closed off porch. Homeowners can enjoy the sunshine without having to endure the heat and it also provides a protected view of the sky.
2. Fire place: A fire place or fire pit can be the perfect aesthetic for any outdoor living area, especially screened-in porches. It provides warmth and a visually appealing focal point around which you and your guests can socialize. Fire installations have also become immensely popular within recent years and they provide screened-in porches with the ever popular "cabin" feel.
3. Proper lighting: While a sky light may be the perfect light fixture for some, others may include more traditional installations. Homeowners are able to have such modern lighting fixtures like dimmers and even LED lighting installed in their porch area thanks to advances in outdoor construction. Electrical items, such as ceiling fans, that were once taboo in outside living areas are now easily installed creating a more comfortable lounging area for you and your family.

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