Like many homeowners, my family was bursting at the seams in our small three-bedroom house. Between two kids, a dog, and my wife’s at-home baking business, every room felt crammed with stuff and short on space. Just looking at our tired, empty side porch got me thinking – what if we transformed it into a usable living area?
Enclosing your existing porch can gain you valuable extra room while letting you enjoy the benefits of outdoor living. By essentially creating a new room tailor-made to your needs, you can reimagine wasted porch space into flexible areas for relaxation, working, or playtime. Converting your porch also allows year-round multi-season use regardless of weather. From screening in for bug protection to fully enclosing with walls and windows, reframing your perception of porches opens up exciting possibilities. Let’s explore how even novice DIYers can refresh and expand their tight living spaces starting with an existing porch.
Determining If Your Porch Can Become Livable Space
The first step is assessing if your porch has the basic structure and layout to support an enclosure. Measure the overall dimensions – bigger spaces obviously provide more living area but even small porches around 80 sq. ft. can work with some creativity. Evaluate the existing roofing, drainage system, and flooring decking for soundness. While surfaces don’t necessarily need redone for conversion, issues like leaks or rot must be addressed to prevent future problems.
Determine what alterations would be entailed to enclose the space while allowing easy access in/out of the home. This might require moving doors, adding custom windows, or even installing skylights overhead. Consider consulting a structural engineer, especially for heavier changes like removing walls, adjusting load-bearing elements, or pouring a new foundation. They can ensure safety by specifying required framing and supports to carry the new space’s weight and withstand wind, snow, people, and furnishing loads indoor spaces must withstand. The assessor will also advise on building code compliances in your area.
Hiring Qualified Contractors
While small scale porch projects can certainly be DIY-friendly, many homeowners prefer hiring professionals for all or part of enclosure renovations – particularly structural work or complex construction phases. Seek certified technicians like carpenters to install framing, electricians to handle wiring, and general contractors to coordinate all pieces of the puzzle.
Estimating Enclosure Costs
Like any home remodeling project, enclosed porch costs vary widely based on the design, materials, size, preparation work needed, DIY vs. professional building, and more. Most sources estimate spending between $45-150 per square foot; our 12 x 14 ft porch ran around $9000 total including top-tier windows, two skylights, and cedar siding to match our home’s exterior.
Choosing Doors and Windows
Since any enclosed space requires reliable ingress/egress and ample light, choosing porch-appropriate doors and windows is integral. Measure meticulously to determine the exact openings your framework can accommodate – standard residential sizes likely won’t apply to a custom conversion. Carefully placing entrances/exits prevents cluttering interior home traffic while maximizing potential views or sunlight from windows.
Door and Window Placement
Ponder how you intend using your reframed porch space then map out smart door/window positioning accordingly. If adding a private office retreat, place the entryway aside from high-traffic household pathways. Frame wide picture windows overlooking your garden view but use transom models above sinks or work desks.
Selecting Durable Materials
Today’s insulated glass models allow customized combinations of UV protection, noise reduction, security features, low emission coatings, and energy efficiency. Optimize natural light and ventilation by choosing screens, awnings, sliding walls, or casement styles easily opened to welcome fresh air when preferred. Durability considerations like impact/scratch resistance and weatherproofing also come into play with regular porch use.
Selecting Walls and Railings
Wall choices define how the enclosed porch area looks, functions, and withstands environmental factors. We chose cedar beveled siding with white corner trim to seamlessly match our home’s facade while gaining weather-resistance. Alternate options like painted plywood, cultured stone veneers, metal panels, or slope-friendly standing seam metal walls work too. Integrate ceiling treatments like drywall, wood panels, or tongue and groove boards painted to coordinate indoor rooms so the whole structure flows cohesively.
Meeting Railing Codes
Don’t overlook safety! Building codes dictate minimum railing height allowances based on porch floor elevations and proximity to descending stairs or walkways. Generally, standards mandate guardrails around 36-42 inches high on raised decks like converted porches. Depending on your layout, this could mean enclosing existing railings or adding new perimeter ones. Mix materials like weather-resistant woods, powder coated metals, or weatherproof composite materials suited for outdoor use year-round.
Adding Climate and Lighting Controls
Treating your revamped porch like any other interior living zone means installing amenities for comfort. Heating and AC ensure guestrooms or offices sustain habitable temperatures during extreme weather. Proper ventilation tackles condensation and humid summer air. Lighting walkways, task stations, and ambient spaces nurtures functionality. Integrate electric ceiling fans offering adjustable brightness settings and overhead light kits capable of illuminating the entire enclosure.
Choosing Energy Efficient Options
From tankless water heaters to programmable thermostats, select appliances earning Energy Star ratings for savings up to 30% on utility bills. Strategize solar heat gain too – situate brighter spaces conducive to reading or hobbies along south-facing walls so sunshine warms occupants. Place TV lounging zones nearer north-facing sides where cooling shade prevails in summer.
Incorporating Interior Finishes
Design choices regarding walls, trims, floors, furniture must balance porch enclosures‘ outdoor roots and indoor ambitions. For flooring, waterproof ceramic or porcelain tiles make easy-clean sense in spaces exposed to mud or snowy boots. Or install laminate wood planks imparting warmth without real hardwoods’ sensitivity to moisture. Paint colors, window treatments, lighting fixtures and more can subtly tie the new room to existing interior decor themes. Incorporate comfy seating arrangements taking advantage of the views and natural light offered by your converted porch’s abundant windows.
Arranging Furniture in Small Spaces
When working with modest square footage, thoughtfully assess furnishings must-haves vs. extra pieces crowding the area. Loveseats and compact armchairs provide ample seating without consuming much floorspace compared to overstuffed sofas or sectionals. Nesting coffee tables stow aside easily. For dining, a bistro set fits in pseudo-kitchen breakfast nooks versus formal expandable tables. Dual-purpose furniture like storage ottomans or folding “murphy” beds squeeze in without sacrificing style.
Permits, Contractors and Costs
Like any home renovation, enclosing a porch involves regulatory considerations too. Most areas require securing building permits before starting structural work, electrical and/or plumbing changes, or additive construction exceeding size thresholds. Research specific municipal statutes to understand protocols like required inspections accepting the space as officially habitable. Hiring experienced contractors accustomed to navigating codesoplasm simplifies avoiding missteps or permit approval delays.
Project expenses range drastically based on elements like the porch’s pre-existing state, necessary modifications, chosen finishes, and overall enclosure dimensions. Ballpark estimates land between $125-300 per square foot including labor and materials; our 14 x 16 ft porch enclosing endeavor neared $9000. Compare area builder quotes after mapping detailed project plans to derive an accurate understanding of budgeting for your customized conversion job.
Maintaining Your New Living Space
While enclosed porches intuitively demand less seasonal upkeep than outdoor zones exposed to the elements, they still require proper care upholding their construction investments. Establish cleaning routines appropriate for flooring materials like vacuuming carpets or washing tile grout. Use mild cleaners and water dampened microfibers on more delicate surfaces like laminate plank floors.
Troubleshooting Humidity and Condensation
Enhanced insulation regulating indoor temps also traps air moisture if uncontrolled. Signs like interior window fogging, mildew smells or water beading on walls indicate excess moisture. Blight combats using quiet bathroom exhaust fans, added circulation from ceiling fans, and regularly cracking windows inviting breezes even during cold months. Portable dehumidifiers banish dampness without complicated ductwork too.
Despite best construction efforts, seasonal porch elements still wear over time. Harsh weather accelerates the decline on surfaces like exterior siding, painted trims, and aging window seals. Combat cracks, checking, or decay immediately before small issues cascade into costly replacements. Budgeting for periodic touch-ups every few years maintains your investment.
It’s smart to plan for the long-term use of your porch. Blending the best of both worlds lets you enjoy natural light and garden views without sacrificing interior comforts. Starting small by refreshing overlooked porches extends living areas beyond cramped existing rooms. Let your imagination view porches as blank canvases full of possibility waiting unlocked! What new activities might your converted porch space empower?
