As part of a recent whole-house renovation project, we added on a beautiful screened porch to this Durham home. The homeowners wanted an enclosed porch, one they could enjoy for much of the year. We started off by tearing down the existing open deck. This just wasn’t working for the homeowners. The original plan was to reuse the framing underneath but we were unable to do that due to rot that we discovered during demo. So, the decision was made to tear the whole thing down and start fresh. This ensured that the finished porch would be free from decay, built using materials that will last, and sturdy for years to come.
The left side of the new porch now drops down to an open deck, perfect for grilling, and then transitions down more stairs into the yard. The new porch is 15’x16’, about 5 feet bigger than the old deck, which is a perfect size for entertaining, as well as day-to-day use for the family to enjoy. The open deck is 10½” x10 ½”.
For the exterior of the new screened porch, we matched the roof to the existing gable-style roof of the home. Steel horizontal cable rails are pleasing to the eye and offer high-performance durability. We added LED strip lighting underneath the rails to provide accent lighting in the evenings and riser lights on the stairs to aid with moving safely throughout the space at night. We installed new gutters and downspouts throughout the exterior of the home including the new screened porch.
Inside the screened porch, we installed a new ceiling fan and can lights. We finished the porch ceiling off with white beadboard and trim to brighten up the space. We used the SCREENEZE® System to ensure ease of maintenance, cleaning, and repairs.
Underneath the porch, we added cross-bracing and lattice to finish off the look from the backyard. We added a custom-built lattice door so the homeowners can access much-needed storage underneath the porch. Other custom features include a doggy door that we built into the screened door.
All in all, this Durham screened porch has it all, from entertaining value to storage, and space for the family to enjoy spending time together. If you are interested in expanding the function of your existing open deck or would like a new screened porch addition, contact us today for an estimate!
