How to Enjoy Your Screened-In Porch Through the Fall and Winter

Screened-in porches are a great addition to any home. With a custom TrueSon Exteriors & Interiors screened-in porch, Columbia homeowners can enjoy nature’s warm breeze from the cool comfort of their own home. But, what about the fall and winter?

When cold fronts approach, sunrooms and enclosed patios tend to become vacant until spring rolls around again. At TrueSon Exteriors & Interiors, we’re about making your home work for you, no matter the season.

Here are some great ways to utilize your screened-in porch year round.

Warm Up Your Screened-In Patio With A Heat Source

There’s no need to find a new spot to enjoy your morning coffee. By simply adding a heat source to your screened-in porch, you can create a cozy and comfortable outdoor space despite the weather. Enjoy the view from your TrueSon Exteriors & Interiors porch while watching the snowfall only inches away. Meanwhile, you’ll remain unphased by cold temperatures that’re outside the warm glow of your new fireplace or heater.

Fireplaces and Gas Stoves

Consider installing a wood burning fireplace or purchasing a gas stove. Both options will give warmth and comfort to your space. If your porch is large, a wood burning fireplace will be your best choice. Although these fireplaces can be more costly than portable alternatives, they exert more heat to fill a greater space. With a smaller screened-in porch, a gas stove can definitely do the job.

Space Heaters

If you’re on a budget or don’t have the time and resources to install a fireplace, space heaters and heat lamps are a great way to warm your screened-in patio for the fall. With a variety of sizes and styles to choose from, portable heaters can also add aesthetic appeal to your patio. They work best for heating smaller spaces and have the ability to be hung or placed on different surfaces to avoid impeding any foot traffic.

While searching for the perfect space heater to warm up your screened-in porch , consider the following tips from the U.S. Department of Energy :

• Newer space heaters have greater safety features

• Look for a Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) label

• Space heaters should be thermostatically controlled to maintain a fixed temperature

• The heater’s size and power should correspond with the square footage of the porch

• Place on a level surface that’s out of reach for pets and children

Maintaining a Warm and Safe Environment on Your Porch

With modern technology, you can heat your screened-in patio efficiently and safely without drastically driving up your energy bill. However, less desirable heating options are still on the market. With your safety as our main concern, we recommend considering the following while looking for supplementary heating options:

• Look for self-regulating systems that can monitor heat and time

• Avoid conventional electric space heaters that burn through energy

• Beware of propane-fueled heat sources that are highly flammable

• Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to avoid dangerous fumes

• Practice NFPA Codes and Standards for fire safety

Create Warm Spaces for Patio Gatherings

With holidays approaching, and plenty of other reasons to gather, creating a warm and inviting space on your screened-in porch can provide another space for your friends and family to spend time.

Hot Tubs

If space allows for it, consider adding an above-ground hot tub to your screened-in porch. The cool air flowing from the screen walls while steam rises from the jacuzzi is a great way to relax or unwind.

Patio Bars

Adding a bar to your screened-in patio can offer entertainment value, a place for people to congregate, and visual appeal. With plenty of portable bars to choose from, you can easily maneuver your new bar throughout your home to serve a variety of purposes.

Add a Patio Enclosure to Your Screened-In Porch

Also known as passive heating, enclosures are a way to add heat to your screened-in porch without purchasing an actual heater. This is a simple solution that involves lining your porch walls with large sheets of clear vinyl. Similar to vinyl siding installation for your home, vinyl patio enclosures work to insulate screen porch walls by trapping heat inside while still allowing fresh air flow from outside. Each vinyl sheet is independent from one another, allowing Columbia homeowners the freedom to unveil any number of screen walls on nicer fall days.

Enclosures have the added advantage of protecting the inside of your porch from rain and wind damage year round. When combined with space heaters, even the most frigid temperatures can be masked from the inside of your screened-in porch. As the high quality vinyl at TrueSon Exteriors & Interiors is nearly invisible, we can maintain the same level of transparency to the great outdoors as your screen does.

A custom TrueSon Exteriors & Interiors screened-in porch will add year-long value and enjoyment to your home. Get a free quote and enjoy Columbia’s fall and winter seasons in a whole new way.