4 Ways a Screened-In Porch Changes Your Life

Screened in porches have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, especially in areas with warmer climates. And it’s not hard to see why. Screened in porches or decks allow homeowners to enjoy beautiful weather, add another quality living space to their home, and significantly improve their house’s value.

What’s not to like about any of that?

But that barely scratches the surface when it comes to the many benefits of a screened-in porch. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of it and find out exactly why screening in a porch or patio can be a total game-changer for your home.

What is a Screened-in Porch?

Put simply, porch screening consists of installing a screen enclosure onto your existing porch and surrounding the little-used outdoor area of your home, transforming it into a high-quality extra living space. A screen enclosure allows homeowners to enjoy the outdoor vibes with a layer of protection against the sun and annoying bugs and insects.

A screened-in porch can cost between $8 to $20 per square foot for covered porches or patios, depending on your area’s labor and materials costs.

DIY vs. Professional Installation

“Do it yourself” screened-in porches and decks are possible but can be a very challenging undertaking. That’s because most custom patio screenings demand a tricky installation process that needs to be carefully thought out, planned, and executed by professionals with years of experience. 

So unless you have some serious DIY home improvement chops, it’s probably better to leave it to the professionals. That way, your screened-in porch will blend seamlessly with the rest of your home and remain up to snuff for many years to come.

You could also transform an unused outdoor space into a flashy three-season room if you want to go beyond a screen-in porch or patio.

Now, here are 4 benefits of screening in a porch, patio, or deck.

1. Improved Home Value

Even though they are not typically factored into the overall square footage of a home, screened-in porches and decks still add tremendous value. This is primarily due to the fact that they add functional living space and a feature that’s in high demand to homes. 

Assuming you live in a warmer area where screened-in porches are highly sought after, you could see anywhere from a 50%-100% return on your initial screen enclosure investment. According to HGTV, a screened-in patio is one of the ten best projects to add value to your home.

2. More Usable Living Space

As mentioned, screened-in porches and patios add valuable living space to homes. This brand new living space could be used for all sorts of things. And it’s entirely up to you. 

Want a second living room? No problem. Or how about a chill-out reading den with a chair swing, hammock, or yoga area? Sure thing. Or, better yet, an outdoor kitchen or dining area, which would otherwise be impossible due to pesky flies and other insects? You got it! You can even use them as a place to keep your furry friends. The possibilities are truly endless.

3. A Breath of Fresh Air and a Healthier Lifestyle

For many, life has changed and allowed people to spend more and more of their time at home, whether it be the increase of remote work opportunities or the convenience of things like Netflix and food delivery apps. While this new reality offers many benefits, it’s not the best thing to be stuck inside all day.

This makes screened-in porches the best of both worlds. A screened-in porch gives homeowners an outdoor space where they can soak up the fresh air and sunlight, allowing them to boost their health, energy levels, and creativity while still being in the comfort of their own home.

4. Entertainment Space for Guests

Screened in decks and patios are also a great option for more socially-minded individuals, offering the perfect place for them to entertain and hang out with guests. Screened-in porch ideas for entertainment include a TV area to watch big sporting events, a dinner party space, or an outdoor drinking area that’s completely mosquito-free. 

Types of Screened-in Porches

Screenmobile offers four main types of porch screens, each with its own advantages:

• Stapled: most cost-effective option and can be customized for any porch, deck, or patio.
• Removable Panels: custom-sized for any space and can easily be removed with clips and fasteners.
• Screen Tight: Assorted colors to complement your home and no staples necessary.
• Screeneze: For homes with existing covered porches. No staples or visible screws.
• Small Extrusions: The best choice for longevity.  The low-profile frame offers a screened-in patio with minimal visual obstruction.

If you’re interested in installing a screened-in porch, don’t hesitate to visit Screenmobile to ask our porch and patio screen specialists for a free estimate today.

Let’s paint a hypothetical picture for a moment. Say you’re interested in screening in your home’s porch or patio, but you’re not entirely sold on something so permanent. . You want protection from the sun and annoying insects, but you don’t quite want to commit to a screened-in porch as a permanent feature of your home.

That’s totally understandable. Now imagine that there’s a “best of both worlds” solution to this conundrum. Well, lucky for you, there is! Roll down screens. 

Roll-down screens, unlike traditional screened-in porches, can be rolled up or down whenever needed. This means you can use them when you want, but they’ll never get in the way when you don’t.

That said, here are all the things you need to consider before installing roll-down patio screens for your home.

What are Roll-Down Screens?

Roll down screens are devices that allow homeowners to screen in or shade their porch, patio, deck, or garage whenever they need to. Too much sun shining in? Mosquitos feasting on your legs and flies eating your food? Is the wind annoyingly blowing your hair all over the place? Just roll down the screen.

Roll Down Screen Uses

In addition to providing shade, keeping insects at bay, and protecting you from the elements like rain, wind, and cold, retractable screens for porches can also be used to:

• Ensure day-time privacy
• Create a bug-free space for children and pets to play
• Keep unwanted birds and other critters away
• Protect your home from golf balls and other debris
• Offer a chill and comfy place to relax
• Save energy by letting less sunlight invade your home

Manual or Motorized

Both manual and motorized retractable porch screens are simple to operate. Manual screens and shades are crank-operated and can be raised or lowered via a removable crank. On the other hand, motorized porch screens are set up with a small motor that deploys the screen with the simple click of a button.

Both manual and motorized retractable screens have their pros and cons to consider as well. But to keep it short and sweet, let’s just say that motorized screens tend to be more convenient and modern while manual screens are typically more budget-friendly. 

Motorized screens like Phantom’s can even be automated to roll down based on various environmental conditions. And the Phantom screens can also be controlled via your smartphone. 

In addition to the Phantom, Screenmobile offers a few more motorized screen options, including:

• Sun Control
  • Heavy Duty Cable Guided Shades
  • Heavy Duty FRT Shades
  • Canopy Tension Screens
• Insolroll
  • Oasis 2700 Patio Sun Shades
  • Oasis 2800 Patio Shades
  • Oasis 2900 Patio Insect Shades
• SunPro
  • Phifer Tuffscreen® Heavy-duty Screen
  • Phifer Tuffscreen® No-see-um Screen
• Sunair
  •  SC4500 Mastershade®

Sizes and Mounting

In general, roll-down screens and shades come in a variety of shapes and sizes. From small windows to massive outdoor patios, roll-down screens are capable of shading your space. At Screenmobile, our trained professionals can help mount roll-down screens for every need, including up to 24-foot-wide and 16-foot-tall installations.

Screen Types

The next step is to choose the type of screen fabric that suits your home’s needs. There is a wide selection to choose from, including sun control screens, insect control screens, pet-resistant screens, weather-resistant screens, and more. 

If you’re unsure what type of screen is right for you, our experienced team can help.

Color Options

The final step is picking the color of your screen fabric and the frame color of your roll-down screen. When evaluating your different options, two key considerations are: do you want a color that will complement and contrast your home’s existing colors, or do you want it to blend in seamlessly without changing the look too much? The choice is entirely yours.

Installing a Retractable Screen

If you’re thinking about adding a roll-down screen to your home, we’re here to help. To get started, contact your local Screenmobile or request a free estimate today.

When it comes to sprucing up our homes, porches and patios are notoriously overlooked by many homeowners. That’s a shame because a top-notch porch or patio can work wonders on the value, curb appeal, and style of your home.

Here we’ll show you the best ways to upgrade your deck, patio, or other outdoor living space. That way, you’ll have yet another cozy spot in your home to kick back and relax in. And that’s something you’ll be super thankful for when the warm summer months roll around each year.

With that said, here are 7 ideas to take your porch and patio game to the next level: 

1. Screen-In Porch and Patio Enclosures

A screened porch is the best of both worlds. Not only can you enjoy the warm outdoor breeze and views, but you can do so while being protected from pesky mosquitos and unwanted debris from outside. Since most people want to spend more time outdoors, many homeowners choose to screen in their porches. Life on the porch takes on a whole new appeal when protected from insects and blowing leaves. Think of outdoor meals without swatting at flies or relaxing summer cocktails with friends! Additionally,  a screened-in porch can serve as a second family room to entertain an evening with the kids.

Screen enclosures come in a nice variety of fabric choices and frame colors. Motorized screens are also a great option.

2. Patio Furniture

High-quality patio and deck furniture is a must if you want to turn your outdoor living space into something worth hanging out in often. What you want to go for here is both functionality and comfort. That way, you’ll look forward to spending more time on your porch or patio. And don’t forget to add an outdoor rug, cushions, and pillows, curtains, or other decorative accessories for a nice homey touch.

P.S. Don’t forget sun control to protect your patio furniture and decor from UV rays.

3. Deck and Patio Plants

Now that you’ve got your outdoor furniture in place, it’s time to add some green into the equation. Adding potted plants to your porch and patio can do just that. The key here is one: not to get carried away—a few well-placed succulents can go a long way. And two: get creative with your planters. Spray paint your plant containers to match your porch or patio style, or think about making a hanging planter or two.

4. Patio Covers, Awnings, and Exterior Shades

If you are spending time on your porch or patio, the last thing you want is for it to be exposed to too much sunlight. Sweating from the heat or trying to avoid a troublesome glare isn’t exactly comfortable. So in the case that your patio, deck, or porch isn’t already covered, you could install a roll-up shade, a retractable awning, or a lattice or paneled patio cover.

5. Hand Railings

Traditionally, deck and porch hand railings were wooden. Nowadays, it’s highly recommended to opt for glass, cable, or aluminum hand railings. 

Unlike wooden railings, these hand railings are much less prone to wear and tear, meaning fewer maintenance costs on your end. So you might as well opt for something that will stand the test of time on its own. 

6. Porch Lights

The next step in transforming your porch or patio is to add lighting, which not only boosts the overall ambiance but also makes it safer and more secure. Show your creativity when adding lights to your porch. String lights, hanging lanterns, or stylish lamps will improve your patio or deck’s visual appeal. 

Side note: We recommend LED lights. They’ll cost more upfront, but since they have longer lifespans than incandescent bulbs, you’ll save in the long run. They’re also more energy-efficient, saving you money on your electricity bill. 

7. Three-Season Room

Last but not least, you could take the boldest approach of all by completely turning your outdoor deck or patio into a full-blown three-season room. Since three-season rooms are enclosed and offer superior temperature control so you can use them year-round, unlike most patios and porches. 

Once your outdoor space is converted into a three-season room, you can use it for whatever purpose you might need: an additional family room, a pool enclosure, or a casual dining room. This is also an ideal area to place plants if you have any that are sensitive to cold.

If you need more convincing, here are 5 Benefits of a Three-Season Room.

Conclusion on Upgrading your Porch and Patio

At the end of the day, owning a home is a pretty big investment. So why not get the most out of that investment by using all the available space you have on hand. 

The best way to do that is by simply upgrading your porch or patio from an unused eyesore to a wow-inducing leisure area. If you tick all of the boxes above, you’ll have a great new space to entertain guests, spend time with the family, or just relax by yourself and get some alone time. 

To learn more about how you can enhance your deck or patio, contact our experienced team at Screenmobile today. We’ll be happy to sort through your ideas and find the perfect solution for your home.

I think we can all agree; no place gives us quite the same feeling of security and comfort as being in our home. It’s one of our most basic human needs.

Which is why it’s of the utmost importance to go the extra mile to make sure this homey feeling isn’t violated or disrupted. An increasingly popular way of doing this is by installing security doors to keep out those who would compromise the sanctity of your home. 

What is a Security Door?

What are security doors? You might be wondering. Put simply, they are exterior doors on your house that are reinforced with steel or aluminum to offer maximum protection from intruders.

The best security doors on the market are designed with numerous other security features, such as hidden hinges, smart door locks, and highly durable metals and meshes. 

Of course, just because you are installing a security door on your house doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice aesthetics for protection. If your security door is an eyesore, then it might bring down the overall value of your house. So it’s ideal to find a security door manufacturer that makes doors that complement your house’s charm and appeal.

Fortunately, there are many great options to choose from at ScreenMobile that can blend into your home’s décor. 

Additionally, high-quality security doors should also be weather and rust-resistant to ensure they have a long lifespan. Powder-coated and stainless-steel security doors are typically the best. Let’s take a closer look at some of your options. 

Stainless Steel Mesh Security Doors 

Many homeowners like to let the cool breeze and smell of fresh-cut grass waft into their homes during the warm summer months. But leaving the door swung open all day or simply having a cheap mesh screen door as the point of access to your home is more than a little risky. 

Thankfully, Screenmobile offers the best stainless steel mesh security doors to give you safety, security, and all the fresh air flow your home needs.

When purchasing a mesh screen door, it’s essential to choose one with the following security features:

• • Stainless steel mesh that is highly resistant to forced entry
  • A multipoint locking system
  • A strong aluminum frame

If you’re interested in more information and color options, look at the Screenmobile-Vista Security Screens Brochure.

Aluminum Framed Security Doors

Aluminum has come a long way since the days of being seen as only cheap, lightweight material. The heavy-duty aluminum alloy used in top-of-the-line security doors is typically six times stronger than standard steel and will remain rust-free forever, making them far and away the best value in a traditional-style security door. 

The latest aluminum security swinging screen doors offer an insect-tight fit – so no pests get in the house. An architectural grade aluminum powder-coated frame makes for a strong yet resilient door with double strengthened extruded corners. Browse the best aluminum security doors on the market.

Custom Decorative Security Doors

If curb appeal is at the top of the list, but you need the ultimate protection and peace of mind, you can find a custom-installed security door to fit almost any architectural style. Screenmobile offers a complete line of decorative security doors designed to enhance your home’s beauty, security, and functionality.

Some custom security door systems meet or exceed all applicable international or local standards, including:

• • Single or Double Installations
  • Security storm doors
  • Standard and custom sizes in 4-colors
  • Impact resistance
  • Cut resistance
  • Intruder resistance
  • Corrosion resistance
  • Child safe, 2-step emergency egress

Remember, no matter how beautiful your decorative security doors are, they’re only as good as their installation. This means finding an experienced and knowledgeable team for installation is paramount. There’s nothing worse than a misaligned door that doesn’t close right or allows pesky insects to find their way inside your home.

So if aesthetics are your primary concern about installing a new security door, Screenmobile has options that offer utility, safety, and curb appeal and make it a win-win-win. 

How to Pick the Best Security Door

Choosing the right security door depends on your specific needs. For example, do you live in a dangerous neighborhood with regular break-ins? Then, we’d recommend a stainless steel mesh security door. They offer the highest level of security and functionality, especially if you live in a warmer part of the country with lots of beautiful days to take advantage of.

Our security door options include:

• • Vista Security Doors
  • Titan Security Doors
  • Active Security Doors

Also, you need to take into account your budget. While we’d never recommend overspending on a door if you can’t afford it, we’d also caution you not to make any sacrifices on quality when it comes to a security door. Cheap doors with low-quality craftsmanship are almost guaranteed to show wear and tear, sometimes in just a matter of months. 

Conclusion

Reinforcing your home’s doors is a great investment. And you can do it without making your home look less appealing. In fact, a security door will likely add to your home’s value. With style-conscious options for those who value their home’s décor, you can’t go wrong with adding a security door to your home. 

If you’re still unsure what type of security door fits your specific needs and budget, or would like to inquire about a specific door, contact the Screenmobile team today, and we’ll gladly walk you through the process step-by-step.