Sunroom Vs Screened In Porch
Dexter Builders • July 14, 2020
How Much Nature Do You Want?
Summers in Michigan are stuff of legends. You'll see its beautiful endless days in movies and hear about friends gathered around bonfires in song lyrics. However, they tend to leave out the heat and humidity, storms we get, and all the bugs that come with our great outdoors. Most people are well aware that one comes with the other when dealing with nature, but it doesn't have to be that way. Screened in porches and sunrooms are a perfect way to tame mother nature while enjoying all she has to offer. All you have to do is decide how much nature you want to enjoy.
Beyond additional living area for your family, knowing how and when you want to utilize your new space will help you decide what type of room is right for you. Join us below where we will cover a few of these tops to help you choose between a sunroom and a screened in porch.
Screened In Porch
The best way to understand a screened in porch is to think of it like an outdoor room. To the naked eye it looks like nothing more than a fancy deck with a roof and screens for walls, but its really your ticket to enjoying the great outdoors on your terms. You'll be feeling the breeze and and listening to the sounds of nature without constantly swatting bugs away. It's also a great way to find some shade on a hot day without having to retreat inside and miss out on those precocious sunny days. If the all mighty dollar is the deciding factor then this will defiantly be your cheaper option when deciding how you should enjoy the great outdoors. Being a cheaper option doesn't mean you have to skip on any amenities. Skylights, ceiling fans, knee walls, even a fireplace to stay warm at night are just a few things you can add to your screened in porch. Your preferences and price point are your only limits.
Pros
- Less Expensive - Less materials and time for construction makes this project time and cost effective. It can also mean more money can be spent on extras like lighting and fans
- More Nature - it's the closest thing to being out in the elements while being protected from them
Cons
- Limited Seasonal Use - Seasonal changes and extreme weather combined with how much you love the great outdoors will be the deciding factor in how much use your screened in porch will get. Remember, its an outdoor room and if the outdoors isn't cooperating you aren't going to be enjoying it
- Cleaning Required - Dust, dirt, and pollen will find its way into your screened in porch. Routine and frequent cleaning will be required
Sunroom
Sunrooms are a little more self explanatory than you think. It's designed to protect homeowners from rain, wind, snow, and even heat while letting you bask in all the glory of the sun. It's a great way to increase the living space in your home while feeling a little more connected to the outdoors in any type of weather, having windows for walls will do that for you. Ultimately you will be sacrificing nature for comfort, but for places like Michigan that's not always a bad thing. Insulation, heating, cooling, and even the type of windows you choose are all factors that can help you decide how many seasons you want to enjoy your sunroom. Obviously all of these options will require more materials, time, and money when your project is all said and done. Combine that with how many months you want to use your new sunroom and you will definitely come up with a number that's higher than a screened in porch, along with being much nicer.
Pros
- Versatility - Because the sunroom is completely enclosed from the outdoors it can be used all year round with simple heating and cooling just like the rest of your home
- Less Maintenance - All the dirt, dust, rain, pollen, and bugs will be no issue. All you have to do is wake up and enjoy that cup of coffee while the sun fills your new sunroom
Cons
- More Expensive - A sunroom is an addition to your home and that will require more materials, which in turn costs more money. You will get more with a sunroom but at a higher price tag
- Less Nature - More year round use in Michigan will mean shielding yourself from the elements. You will have the best seat in your house for viewing nature, you just wont be in it.
Contact us to learn more about which option is right for you &
your family!!!
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