Living in Florida means we spend lots of time outdoors so creating a comfortable family living area out back is imperative for many homeowners. Was your home built with a lanai? They’re a popular selling feature here. Did you know that back in the days before air conditioning, many homeowners would sleep there during the sweltering summer months? Adding a deck out back is a great alternative to a lanai if your family needs an outdoor gathering spot.
If a deck addition is the route you took and you’re tired of being driven into the house by bugs and mosquitoes, have you considered closing it in? Or maybe you’d like to sit outdoors to enjoy the sound of the falling rain without having to huddle under an umbrella. Another great reason to put up a screen enclosure.
Some refer to them as a screened-in porch, but whatever you call the structure, it is sure to provide your family with benefits you will all enjoy for years to come.
Benefits of screening in the area
Mesh screen enclosures are the perfect way to create a bug-free area because they can’t get through the finely woven screen. Seriously. Even those annoying noseeums aren’t breaking through!
Other benefits include:
- Added UV protection—Screens don’t completely block the sun, but they filter those harmful rays.
- Keep the area cleaner—Yard and storm debris don’t wreak havoc on what can seem like a daily basis.
- Shade—Your deck won’t be completely shaded but around here every little bit helps!
- Added privacy—It’s actually the number one reason homeowners choose to add enclosures to the space!
- Safety features—Enclosures provide a safe place for young children and pets to play outdoors without fear of them wandering off.
Before enclosing the deck
Consider how you currently use your outdoor space. Once it’s enclosed, will it afford you even more possibilities? We’re guessing the answer to that question is an emphatic, “Yes!”
For instance, should you consider installing electrical outlets? Will you need to make special allowances for the grilling area or will you move it from the deck to another area of the yard? What about permanent lighting?
Taking time to decide these things and putting your plan in place will make the project easier to complete once you start. Making changes to the design plan midstream will mess with your allotted budget. And that is the case whether you hire a contractor or deem it a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project to take on yourself.
First, inspect what you’ve got
Before a build of any kind, you need to ascertain that you’re starting with a firm foundation. Even though it’s “just some screen walls and a roof,” adding an enclosure on top of your deck is going to add significant weight. You don’t want to overburden the foundation or the whole thing could collapse. You don’t want to take a chance on that happening!
Thoroughly assess the condition that your deck is in at the moment. Is the deck in prime condition as is? Will the additional weight decrease the structural integrity? If there is any doubt, plan for needed repairs, modifications, or maybe even replacing the structure entirely.
Size matters
How big do you plan for your enclosure to be? You aren’t confined to creating an enclosure based on the size of your current deck. You may want to only enclose a portion of it or you may decide to add on to create an even larger outdoor living room.
Ultimately, your budget has a huge bearing on the end result. Try your best to stick to it because you don’t want to run out of funds due to changes midstream. Take some time to consider what you want before jumping into the build instead of making hasty decisions you may regret later.
Does everyone approve?
If you live in a subdivision that is governed by a homeowner’s association (HOA), you need to be sure that they even allow you to build an enclosure. If you discover they don’t, it may be worth taking the time to address the situation with them. Proving your case could pave the way for others in your neighborhood to improve their families’ outdoor lives too. You could go down in neighborhood folklore as “the one who took them on!”
Check with your local government regarding any build stipulations for homeowners as well. There will most likely be building permits to apply for which your contractor should take care of if hiring someone to handle the build.
It’s also important to remember that all public utility lines must be marked before starting—even if you don’t plan to do any digging.
All hands on deck!
Hands, feet, aw, let’s just say bodies in general! Once your deck is completed, your family is going to love the new space. It’s likely to become everyone’s new favorite spot to gather. And, don’t be surprised if the kids want to camp out overnight. It’s probably going to happen.
Are you having someone do the work for you? It might be worthwhile to contact a company that offers a customization feature. Digital imagery has paved the way for images to be printed directly onto your screens. Moreover, advancements in technology have allowed for creating dyes that are treated with added UV protection. Your images remain vibrant for years!
The results are nothing short of spectacular! Just imagine stepping out the backdoor and into your own backyard getaway! You’ll feel as if you’ve been whisked away to your favorite vacation spot every time you enter the space.
Whether or not you customize the screens though, adding your own decor and furnishings can accomplish what you’re going after in the long run. Creating a space that you, your family, and your friends will enjoy being in together is what it’s all about. When that happens, there are happy memories to be made that will last a lifetime.
Enjoy the time spent making them to the fullest!