Trends Show Popular Interest in Screened Porch Upgrades

By: Archadeck Outdoor Living | 36 Shares 633 Reads

Deck and porch "custom design" experts from Archadeck say there are a myriad of upgrade choices for screened porches to fit anyone's interest
(September, 2007 - Richmond, VA - Grassroots Newswire) According to local deck and porch designing experts, screened porches have been making a strong comeback. However, what was once a practical necessity is today becoming a more luxurious amenity for homeowners who are interested in jazzing up their screened porches with their own personalized style or transforming them to match their living standards.

Ed Overberger, an Archadeck consultant, says recent trends indicate that homeowners are looking for ways to extend the use of their screened porches. "It's simple – homeowners are using their screened porches more and want to prolong their outdoor living time. With so many upgrade choices for screened porches available now – especially for playrooms, shelter for pets, or entertainment rooms – the process is easy," Overberger said. "There's something for everyone."

Screened porches were very popular before air conditioning became mainstream in the early 1960s, Overberger said. Porches acted as an extension of the home that provided cool temperatures during warm months, as well as a venue for family dinners and gatherings. The uses for modern screened porches today are endless.
The following are porch upgrades residents can keep in mind when choosing which screened porch is best suited for them:

* An entry level screened porch with stapled screen and pressure-treated lumber.
* A screened porch which uses more modern mechanically fastened screen for easy repair and replacement.
* A low-maintenance screened porch with aluminum inserts with vinyl or aluminum components to reduce maintenance.
* A Three-Season Porch that offers a traditional porch similar to the one your grandmother might have had. It is made of wood and is mostly cedar and traditional in appearance.
* Three-Season Porch option which uses all low maintenance materials, such as aluminum and vinyl for more a more contemporary low maintenance porch.

Most consumers do not realize that when they are planning for a screened porch, they can upgrade it to a Three-Season Porch for a modest amount of money, simply by adding glass or acrylic storm panels. For this process, screen panels are replaced with storm panels. Then, the porch can be used more throughout the year – two extra months in the spring and two extra months in the fall. Tempered safety glass, allows a porch to be installed high up in the air and have an unobstructed view. The tempered glass in a Three-Season Porch eliminates obtrusive railings and pickets.

"This option is also ideal for homeowners with children and/or pets," Overberger said. "The unobstructed view allows people to watch their children play in the backyard and also takes away the worry of pets destroying the screen or children pushing out the screen. Also, Three-Season Porches offer a safety factor and meets safety codes."

For porches, homeowners can use wood for a more traditional look, or plastics and aluminum for a low maintenance porch. Although there has been interest in both options, wood, surprisingly, has shown recent popularity. Overberger said the wood look gives an "outdoorsy" feel, which is what people want.
Archadeck sets itself apart from others by distinguishing itself as a "custom-design and build" business, Overberger said. The company, which acts as both the designer and the builder, designs the project for the customer and then makes it a reality by constructing it.

For more information about Archadeck or upgrade options for your porch, please visit www.archadeck.com.

About Archadeck
Archadeck, established in 1980, has built more than 65,000 projects across the country and is recognized as the largest deck builder in the United States. Their mission is to enhance the lives of customers by creating unique and innovative outdoor living environments. Qualified Remodeler magazine ranks Archadeck sixth on the 2006 National Remodeling Firms List. Archadeck projects have graced the covers of Gardens, Decks and Patios and Decks & Backyard Projects. The company has been featured in articles in HOME, Additions and Decks and Gardening & Deck Design, as well as on Home & Garden TV (HGTV).