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Adding a sunroom or screened porch to your property will expand your outdoor living space and boost your home’s appeal. These structures are similar in functionality as they both provide protection against the elements while offering a view of the outdoors. However, their design and features differ significantly, which also affect their aesthetic appeal, durability, and price. Here’s a guide to help you make the right choice.

What Makes Them Different?

Screened porches are precisely what their name implies—they’re spaces enclosed in screens. Because they require fewer materials like wood, wire mesh, and screen panels, they cost less and are usually faster to build. They are also easier to maintain but may not be able to adequately withstand heavy rain, snow, or air contaminants like dust and pollen.

sunroomSunrooms, on the other hand, are made of sturdier, heavier materials. Depending on the design structure and add-ons, constructing one can run you up more than a thousand dollars. You’ll need a building permit for this project, unlike screened porches. Instead of screen panels, they use glass on windows, doors, and roofs for better protection against natural elements. It also costs more to maintain them. Most sunrooms have insulation, but typically of a low-grade variety. When installed with high-grade insulation, these four season sunrooms are equipped with heating and cooling system to render the area usable all-year round.  

How to Choose Between Them

Since both serve to keep out elements and improve living space, the decision ultimately boils down to climate, your preferences, and budget. Because of their materials, screened porches are ideal for homes located in temperate climates that don’t experience extreme cold or heat. Consider adding electrical wiring for lighting and ceiling fans to keep cool during warm months.

On the other hand, well-insulated sunrooms with energy-efficient HVAC systems and windows can handle any inclement weather and severe seasonal changes. You can turn them into fully functional leisure or entertainment rooms, even during extreme summers and heavy winters.  

 

Whichever you pick, sunrooms and screened porches are both worthy investments for your property. Let the professionals at Patio Solutions in East Rochester help you make the right choice. Serving homes throughout Monroe County, NY, they offer an extensive range of patio enclosures, glass roofs, and retractable awnings for any outdoor living space. Call (585) 385-9999 for a no-obligation consultation or visit them online.

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