It is very rare that you buy a house that has all you need. Once you start living in your newly bought house, you realize that there are lots of things that need to be changed, improved and upgraded. So you seek ways to make your home more comfortable and more suitable for you needs, the climate and the neighborhood.
It is quite possible that porch enclosures that have a lot of benefits and virtually no shortcomings, have been invented by such inquisitive homeowners.
A house with a porch – an open area with a roof in front of a house – is not uncommon. In fact, many homes have porches, which have many benefits. You can keep your hallway clean from dust and dirt by leaving your dirty shoes and wet umbrella on your porch before entering the house. You can also have your morning coffee outside, when the weather permits. But porches also have shortcomings: they offer zero protection from the elements, intruders, pests, provide no insulation from cold and rain, as well as curious neighbors. That is why porch enclosures have proved to be a wonderful invention to solve all these problems, while preserving all the benefits of a porch.
What are porch enclosures?Â
Porch enclosures can either replace an existing porch or can be a pre-planned part of a house construction. In either case, porch enclosures are custom-fabricated inserts (mainly glass) and doors. If it is built into an existing porch, then no roofing is necessary, as porches already have roofs – either as a separate construction or as a second floor, sheltering the entrance. The materials used for the porch enclosure doors and frames vary with the main being aluminum, uPVC and treated wood. While glass is the preferred material for the inserts, sometimes other materials can be used as well, such as metal mesh or durable fabric, depending on the type of the porch enclosure. The walls and frames of porch enclosures, whether as a solid construction or a segmented light-weight frames, are only meant to hold the whole construction in place, as the main purpose of porch enclosures is to provide all the protection that open porches do not offer, without blocking the view. That is why even fully closed porch enclosures do not have thick walls and come with multiple windows with large glass panes, which still give a feeling of an open space, while also providing protection and insulation.
If your house does not have such a roofed porch that can be transformed into a porch enclosure or if a porch enclosure is not pre-planned with the house you are going to buy, you can still have it, but in this case, additional roofing will be necessary.
Types and styles of porch enclosuresÂ
As in most cases porch enclosures are custom-fabricated to fit into an existing space , they can be made in any size and shape to fit flawlessly into the main architectural design of your house. So whichever architectural style you choose for you home, the porch enclosure can be made to complement and even boost the aesthetic value of it.
However, when it comes to the type of the construction and the materials used, several types of porch enclosures can be found.
Semi-covered enclosures. Some enclosures are only partially covered. Some have open sides and covered front and are suitable for places with mild or very humid weather, as they do not protect from cold. They rather have an aesthetic value, than protective.
Another type of semi-covered porch enclosure is an awning enclosure, which overhangs the porch, without fully covering it. This type of enclosure is usually made of quality fabric that protects from rain and sunlight, but do not have other benefits. There also exist retractable awning enclosures, that can be retracted to control the amount of light or to protect from rain.
Fully covered enclosures. Fully covered porch enclosures offer protection from the elements, dust and dirt, burglars, pests, salespeople and other undesired visitors.
Such enclosures can be either flexible, allowing the owner to change or deconstruct it, or permanent.
Flexible enclosures have a light-weight construction, usually consisted of segmented window frames and doors. These are mainly prefabricated constructions with aluminum or uPVC frames and plastic or thin metal walls. The inserts, usually glass or metal mesh, can be easily removed to provide air ventilation, if necessary. Though these do offer a lot of protection, they will not provide a four-season protection. This type of porch enclosures is a reasonable solution for those homeowners who want to transform the existing porch into a covered space without breaking their budget.
Permanent enclosures have a solid construction. The types of construction vary depending on the materials used and its purpose. The cost of such enclosures will greatly depend on their size and materials used. In all cases, such enclosures have multiple large window panes with glass inserts and sturdy walls built as a permanent addition to the house.
Benefits of porch enclosures
As we already mentioned, installing a porch enclosure provides a number of benefits, which may be invaluable for those homeowners who live in harsh weather conditions, unsafe neighborhoods or even those who just want to have his morning coffee outside even in winter. The list of benefits is endless and the following are just some of them:
Insulation. Porch enclosures create an extra space between your home and the outdoor weather, thus providing extra protection from the elements. With appropriate materials, permanent enclosures can provide significant insulation from extreme cold or heat, as well as rain, thus, keeping your home protected and your wallet happy by reducing energy costs.
Safety. Burglars usually seek homes that are easy to break in. A porch enclosure will make them think twice before trying to enter your home. You will also more confidently open your front door to a stranger, knowing that you are still protected by a glass wall of the porch enclosure.
Pests. These sneaky little intruders are everywhere, so even if you don’t live in tropics, chances are you are still have to deal with them. Having a covered porch will create a barrier for them so that they won’t creep into your house uninvited.
Protection from dust and dirt. If you want to keep your home free from dirt and dust, coming in with your outdoor shoes, a porch enclosure will be a good solution – you can leave all your dirty equipment there before entering your house. And if you have a young child, you know how much dirt stroller wheels can collect.
Extra space. Depending on how big your porch enclosure is, you can create a nice and comfortable area of retreat with beautiful furniture and decor items. The beauty of a porch enclosure is that it gives you the feeling of being in nature, while still protecting from any disturbances, such as noise, dust and clingy flies.
Real-estate value. Adding a porch enclosure will unquestionably boost the real-estate value of your house. In fact, it is an easy way to add an “extra room” without turning it into a full construction project.
Aesthetic value. Apart from all the practical benefits, a porch enclosure can add a lot of elegance and charm to your home. With so many options available in the market today, you will, no doubt, find one that will complement the style of your house and enhance its aesthetic value.
With so many benefits a porch enclosure has to offer, it is not surprising why so many homeowners prefer to have one. We recommend that you contact a professional consultant to find out about best options and solutions available in the market to create such a useful area of your home.
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