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Topic: Patios and Decks



Date Posted: Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Posted by: Tanya Zanfa (Master Admin)
Source: http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/real-estate/2015/02/14/advic...


Advice on adding a screened-in porch


Advice on adding a screened-in porch

By Chris Chu

Q. I’d like a modest screened porch on the back of my house, which has a walkout basement and a slight overhang, similar to the front of a garrison. Is this a job to hand over to a good contractor, or should an architect take a look first and draw up plans? How much should I expect to pay, reasonably?

MARTHA McGOWAN, Lowell

 

A. It’s always a good idea to have an architect do a consultation for you so that you can be assured that the screened porch is going to give you the maximum enjoyment and value for the money you put into it. Not knowing your house or your site, and what you mean by “modest,” it is hard to give you a cost estimate. There are factors that would affect the cost that you would need to decide upon so that a contractor can give you the best price. Usually a good rule of thumb is that the more you can define your project, the more accurate an estimate someone can give you. That way you are not surprised by costs along the way and you don’t get something you were not expecting.

Things to consider:

What type of screen system do you want? Traditional wood frames with screening in between? Some type of fiberglass material that is more weatherproof? There are even different types and grades of screening material, but most likely you will want a fiberglass mesh in charcoal (versus black). Are there features you would want such as a door to the backyard? What about the flooring in this area? Is it bluestone? Slate? Brick? What about lighting inside and outside the screened porch? Would you want a ceiling fan? You can also put a shelf on the inside of the screened porch along the lines of the framing so that you always have a place to set your cool summer drinks. What about other built-in storage for items such as patio-seat cushions?

As you can see, there are lots of decisions to be made. Perhaps even more important than the questions above, you should answer these first: Will the proportions and size of the space be pleasing and provide you with the ability to use it the way you want? Will the screened porch block the views and light in the rooms that it will be in front of? You will probably need a roof over the screened porch even though you a have bit of an overhang from the floor above. What kind of roof should it be (shed, gable, or flat)? Perhaps the roof of the screened porch can be a deck off the first floor? How will that work with the spaces on the first floor?

These are questions that an architect can help you answer before you get estimates.

 

Q. We live on Ipswich Bay in Gloucester. We have a beautiful deck facing the water. I am trying to find furniture that will stay put. We have lovely wicker, but when we have thunderstorms and high winds in the summer, it winds up in the hedges. At this point in our lives, we are tired of running around, gathering furniture. All I want is a round table and maybe some chairs. Do you think wrought iron would do the trick?

PATRICIA RYAN, Gloucester

A. Well, I think you are on the right track. Wrought iron certainly is nice and heavy and would do the trick. As an alternative, and depending on what your deck is made of, there are clips that can be installed to attach patio furniture. Of course the drawback would be that the furniture would have to stay in the position in which you have installed it.

An attractive alternative to wrought iron is teak. It is relatively heavy and weathers to a beautiful silver gray patina. If you have a railing, you can try what coffee shops with outdoor furniture do – you can chain your furniture together and then to a deck-railing post. Hopefully some of these ideas can help you to continue to enjoy your beautiful deck facing the water



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