Screened-In Porches vs. Open Decks: Making the Right Outdoor Living Choice
In the warmth of summer, there’s nothing more satisfying than relaxing in a thoughtfully-designed outdoor living space.
Whether you’re basking in the sunshine with iced tea and a good book, hosting a neighborhood cookout on your deck, or even analyzing spreadsheets on your laptop, there’s something transformative about hearing birds chirp and feeling the breeze on your face as you go about your tasks.
But as you dream about your ideal outdoor living space, you might get hung up on one simple question: what structure should you build? A deck? A screened-in porch? Something else?
At Fortress Construction, we believe you deserve an outdoor living space that suits your lifestyle! In this blog, we’ll explore the pros and cons of open decks and screened-in porches so you can make an informed decision about which option is best for you.
What’s the Difference Between a Deck, a Porch, and a Patio?
When it comes to outdoor living spaces, you may be confused when people throw around terms like “deck,” “porch,” and “patio.” What’s the difference anyway?
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they typically have these key differences:
- A Deck is a flat, elevated surface attached to a building, usually a house. Most decks are level with the first story of a house, although second or third-story decks exist. Decks are typically made from wood, composite decking, or vinyl and are usually larger than porches. If a deck has a roof, it’s known as a “covered deck,” and if not, it’s called an “open deck.”
- Porches are similar to decks, but they’re often smaller and always have a roof. Screened-in porches are porches with walls made of screens, allowing sunlight and fresh air but keeping the space bug-free.
- Patios, like decks, are usually large and uncovered. However, they differ from decks in that they’re level with the ground and are usually made from concrete, pavers, or gravel. Patios are often attached to a house but can be free-standing or formed around another structure, such as a pool.
Decks, porches, and patios are similar in that they’re all outdoor living spaces that typically come attached to the house. If you’re interested in detached outdoor living space, you may want to explore gazebos, pergolas, and pavilions.
Instead of discussing every type of outdoor living space in detail, this blog will focus on two very popular options: open decks and screened-in porches!
Pros and Cons of Open Decks
To begin our journey of figuring out which outdoor living option will suit your needs, let’s start by listing the basic pros and cons of open decks:
Pros of an Open Deck
- Cost-Effectiveness: Since an open deck is a relatively simple construction with no roof or walls, it’s cheaper to build than some other outdoor living options, such as a screened-in porch. However, costs vary depending on what materials you choose and how big you want it to be.
- Views: A deck offers unobstructed views of your surroundings, which is excellent if you have a scenic backyard or landscape. The roofless design allows you to sunbathe and enjoy the weather.
- Space for Entertaining: Since decks tend to be larger than porches, an open deck offers more space for entertaining. Since there are no walls to contend with, your gathering can easily spill over into the lawn, which is not exactly feasible on a screened-in porch.
Cons of an Open Deck
- Insect Exposure: On an open deck, mosquitos, flies, bees, and other insects have free reign to bother you and your guests.
- Weather Dependency: Without a roof, an open deck is entirely open to whatever the weather offers that day. That means if it’s raining, excessively windy, or extra sunny, you won’t be able to use your deck without extreme discomfort.
- Safety Concerns: Open decks pose a risk for children or pets who could fall off the edge or run off and get lost, and they can become slippery when wet. Adding a rail helps with safety concerns but can be expensive, especially if you have a large deck.
Pros and Cons of Screened-In Porches
Now that we’ve looked at the pros and cons of open decks, let’s examine the pros and cons of screened-in porches!
Pros of a Screened-in Porch
- Insect Protection: Hands down, the number one benefit of screened-in porches is that they allow you to enjoy bug-free outdoor time. If you’ve ever been swarmed by mosquitos, bees, or houseflies, you know how valuable that is!
- Shelter: Although you probably won’t use your screened-in porch in the dead of winter, the roof and screened walls do offer some protection from the elements, such as rain or the glaring sun. This allows you to use your porch much more often than an open deck.
- Versatility: Because of its sheltered nature, a screened-in porch can be used as additional living space, a dining area, a mud room, an art studio, or a home office.
Cons of a Screened-In Porch
- Cost: Generally, a screened-in porch is a more expensive outdoor living project because of the materials and labor involved in constructing the roof and screened walls. Of course, costs vary depending on the materials you choose, the size of your porch, and whether you’re starting from scratch or converting an existing porch into a screened porch.
- Limited Views: Although screens are fantastic for keeping critters at bay, they somewhat limit your view of the surrounding landscape, especially when compared to an open deck.
- Limited Space: Screened-in porches are generally smaller than open decks and are confined, self-contained spaces. If you hope to host large gatherings or make your deck a transition space between indoors and outdoors, a screened-in porch might not be the best option.
Other Issues to Consider
Ultimately, choosing between a screened-in porch and an open deck depends on many factors. What is the weather like in your area? Are you plagued by bugs? What is your budget? What do you hope to use the outdoor space for?
In general, you’ll probably be happier with an open deck if:
- You do a lot of hosting or entertaining during the summer months
- You hope to add an outdoor kitchen to your space eventually
- You have (or hope to acquire) an above-ground pool
- You’re looking for something budget-friendly
On the other hand, a screened-in porch is ideal if:
- Insects are the primary thing keeping you from enjoying the outdoors
- You’re looking for a space you can use in many weather conditions
- You want a sleeping porch
- You want a summer office or studio
It’s worth noting that while both screened-in porches and open decks require maintenance, the maintenance requirements are different.
Since a deck is open to the elements, it requires sweeping, pressure-washing, and regular staining and sealing. A screened-in porch is more protected but will still need cleaning and dusting.
Screen maintenance is another concern for screened-in porches. If you have cats, you may struggle with their tendency to climb the screens and tear them with their claws.
Speaking of pets, if you hope to keep your pets contained, a screened-in porch may work better for you. On the other hand, a deck may allow you to interact with your pets as you lounge but also let them wander the yard doing their own thing.
It’s all a matter of what works best for you!
How Fortress Construction Can Help
Here at Fortress Construction, we aim to build you a stress-free outdoor living space that’s made to last!
That’s why we offer various outdoor living options to suit your lifestyle and budget, including:
- New deck construction
- Deck resurfacing and remodeling
- Screened-in porches
- Three-seasons porches
- Patios and hardscapes
Schedule an estimate today, or give us a call to have a meaningful discussion about your vision for your dream outdoor living space!