How much does it cost to add a screen porch

Screened-in Porch Costs at a Glance

• Cost to screen in an existing porch: $600-$3,500
• Cost to build a screened-in porch: $45,000-$55,000

A screened-in porch is a great way to add living space to your house and take advantage of good weather or nice garden views. Wondering how much it might cost to install one? A lot of the answer depends on your location and what the porch is made of.

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Here's a look at how much a screened-in porch costs to install.

How Much Does It Cost to Screen in a Porch?

It costs between $600 and $3,500 to add a screen to an existing porch, depending on its size and the quality of the materials chosen. It would cost much more to build a porch from scratch. Simple patio enclosures cost less than large and luxurious wraparound porches made from the highest quality materials.

How Much Does It Cost to Add a Screened-in Porch?

Building a porch enclosure from scratch costs more than just adding some screens. If you're hoping to build a fully enclosed and covered porch, Design Builders Inc. says you can expect to pay as much as $45,000 to $55,000, depending on the extras you want to add.

Some things that might bump up the price include the choice of roofing materials and installation costs for things like a ceiling fan or infrared heater. You can keep the cost of your project low by keeping the project simple to begin with. A covered porch with screen doors is a good starting point, and you can add ceiling fans and other accessories later as your budget allows.

When getting quotes from contractors, ask for them to be itemized so that you can confirm what's covered. Don't forget expenses such as clearing space in the yard or taking away debris. These are things contractors often forget and may prove to be an unexpected extra expense.

Is It Easy to Build a Screened-in Porch Yourself?

Building a screened-in porch is a major home improvement project that requires some level of DIY skill. If you're building a porch and adding screens to it, you'll need to take into account planning-related issues and consider the cost of the materials, building work and removal of debris and waste materials.

Even simple patio enclosures cost hundreds of dollars in materials and will take care and planning to build. Building a porch from scratch is not an unachievable task for an amateur DIYer, but adding a cover and screen makes the job that much more complex. If you've not taken on such a construction project before, it may be best to hire a contractor to add a screened porch for you.

Plan your screened-in porch or patio carefully. Remember that it's easier to upgrade a suitably sized porch with extras than it is to make a too-small porch larger. If you want to be able to use the porch with a table and chairs in it as a family gathering area during the summer, aim for at least 16 feet by 20 feet. Anything smaller will most likely feel too cramped.

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Is a Screened-in Porch Worth the Money?

A screened-in porch can be a good investment that adds value to your property and improves your quality of life while you live in the home. Screening in an existing porch and turning it into an outdoor living space lets you take advantage of your garden for more months of the year, making hot summers and blustery autumns more enjoyable.

It's possible to design a screen enclosure to fit almost any budget, whether that means using fabric patio covers, keeping the square footage low or fitting screens on an existing small porch.

Once you have the perfect porch, you'll want to keep it looking great year-round. This means washing the screens, maintaining the dec and clearing gutters.

So you want to add a screened-in porch to your property to have a light-filled, breezy, bug-free place to relax? Join the club! But before you launch into construction, you'll of course have to consider how much the renovation will cost. According to 2020 research by Improvenet, "a wrap-around porch that contains windows and screens can run up to a maximum of $30,000." But this is if you're starting completely from scratch, without an existing porch. The good news: There are a few tricks of the trade that will help keep spending down (or up, if you're looking to make yours large and luxe), and the price tag can be well worth it from an investment standpoint.

Here are three things that will hugely impact the final cost of your screened-in porch project, from the labor involved for the actual installation to design and property taxes.

Location and Property Taxes

Adding a screened porch can absolutely increase your property taxes, and this is the biggest long-lasting expense to consider before calling your contractor. "It depends on which state you live in," clarifies design and renovation consultant Meredith Still, "and if a screened-in porch does increase your property taxes, it would be based on square footage." Since these taxes vary so much from state to state—and even county to county—it's best to do your homework on regional codes and restrictions before you start building (even if you're just adding a screen to an existing porch). The bright side? "I do know that it offers a return on your investment if you ever intend on selling your home," says Still.

Square Footage

The smaller the porch, the more affordable the project will be—because the cost of materials will be lower. Sizing down is one way to minimize costs. If you're just screening in a porch as it already stands, Home Advisor reports that the installation can cost around $2,000: "The total costs $3 to $5 per square foot for materials, and $2 per square foot for labor," for an add-on like this, but "if you want to build a completely new porch with screen, you’ll pay $25 to $120 per square foot for the entire project."

Materials and Decor

If you're dead-set on a certain square footage and comfortable with the potential rise in taxes that the addition will incur, swapping in budget-friendly materials is one more way to stay on budget.

For your flooring...

According to Still, the best decking hands-down is element-resistant ipe wood, but it's going to be a bit more expensive. Tile is also great but can get pricey, too, and there are plenty of other ways to inject color and personality to your porch. If you're budget conscious but love the look of wood flooring, composite can be a great alternative to real wood. And in terms of affordability, concrete is your best bet (if it's too cool for your liking it's easy to hide under a warm area rug). Brick may be a good option for budget-friendly materials if you really want to avoid concrete.

For your screens...

Pre-cut screens are the most affordable option, so mention using them to your contractor and architect before they even start designing plans. If you want any kind of specialty screens (like wind-resistant, if you live in a super windy region, or allergy-proof if you're sneezy), then they'll be a bit more expensive.

The material your screen is made of can also affect the cost. "There are several different screen types ranging from fiberglass, aluminum, premium metals and sun-blocking screens. Fiberglass is the cheapest option but not the best," says contractor Meredith Still. "To ensure the longevity of the interior of your porch, its best to invest in a screen that will prevent bugs, dust, pollen and UV light from invading the space." She recommends shopping from a brand such as Porch Enclosure System, PollenTEC, and Eze-Breeze if you want to see what options exist in those categories.

For furniture...

To keep budget down on the front in, opt for affordable outdoor furniture instead of investing in custom upholstered performance fabrics and high-end pieces. (But if you can manage to splurge on these at the outset, they are a good investment and will last longer!) You could also go antiquing or rummaging through a flea market to find oldies but goodies to decorate your porch. "It is also recommended that you use water-proofing fabric spray to prevent the cushions from retaining water," suggests Build.com project expert Maverick Watson, to ensure your resources lasting as long as possible.

Installation Method

DIY

If you already have an existing porch you'd like to screen in and want to do it yourself, you'll save a lot on labor and really only need to account for the cost of materials. Then you'll just need a stapler, pre-cut screens, and steady hand (or a level). Read more about screening in a porch yourself, here.

Professional

Of course, construction rates will differ from region to region and team to team. But if you're doing any more than a simple screen install you'll definitely want to bring on a licensed contractor and possibly even an architect. Keep the projects size manageable—the smaller the porch, the less time it'll take to build, so the less labor costs will be—and also consult with them on creative ways to cut costs! A good construction team will know how to get crafty without compromising quality.

Live Your Best Porch Life

Minka-Aire Bahama Beige Ceiling Fan

Pottery Barn Malta Lantern Bronze Finish

Serena & Lily Palisades Outdoor Chair

Pigeon Toe Ceramics Disc Wind Chimes

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Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House. When she's not busy writing about interiors, you can find her scouring vintage stores, reading, researching ghost stories, or stumbling about because she probably lost her glasses again. Along with interior design, she writes about everything from travel to entertainment, beauty, social issues, relationships, fashion, food, and on very special occasions, witches, ghosts, and other Halloween haunts. Her work has also been published in MyDomaine, Who What Wear, Man Repeller, Matches Fashion, Byrdie, and more.  

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