Creating the Perfect Screened-In Porch for North Carolina Weather
North Carolina’s weather can surprise you with chilly mornings, cozy afternoons, and occasional shifts in the temperature throughout the day. Our warm summer days are not so far off, which makes now a perfect time to plan and build a screened-in porch for your home.
Our state’s climate—loaded with heat, humidity, and our fair share of insects—makes a well-designed screen porch a dream project for many. If you like spending time outside but want to avoid troublesome pests, this could be the solution for you.
Thinking of making home upgrades in North Carolina? You’re not alone. Our state’s remodeling industry is worth a whopping $3.4 billion, with many homeowners making changes to both their interior and exterior elements (IBIS World).
For those in search of an easy and highly enjoyable upgrade, a screened-in porch creates a comfortable space around your home while adding more to its beauty and value.
At A&R Remodeling and Construction, we design screen porches for many North Carolina homeowners. Our goal is to help you to enjoy the charm of every season our beautiful state has to offer, without dealing with everyday annoyances.
In this blog, you’ll find the benefits of screened porch ideas, practical design considerations, and ways to optimize your enjoyment of North Carolina’s weather.
The Benefits of a Screened-In Porch in North Carolina
A screened-in porch gives homeowners a relaxing outdoor living space that they can enjoy every season of the year. Built around the right screen porch ideas and features, you can enjoy warmth and functionality while adding exceptional value to your home.
Personal Sheltered Outdoor Space
Homeowners with screen porches can breathe in fresh air without limited exposure to UV, harsh winds, and annoying pests like mosquitos. Just add a pair of comfortable chairs and enjoy your time outside with minimal risk or disruption.
Extended Living Area
Create a cozy nook on your porch for reading, sipping drinks, or entertaining guests al fresco, even when the weather is tricky outside. You’ll maximize your property’s space and find new ways to enjoy your time at home.
Increased Home Value
According to Spotlight NC, exterior improvements are one of the most critical factors in influencing a home’s resale value. Because it offers both functionality and curb appeal, a meticulously designed screened-in porch can be a cost-effective investment in your home.
All Year-Round Functionality
With the installation of the right heating equipment and insulation, your screened porch can function even in winter when everyone else is locked inside their home. A few decorative lanterns, a portable space heater, and a cushy rug can make even the coldest nights more enjoyable.
Practical Design Considerations for North Carolina’s Climate
Now that you’ve made up your mind about building a screened-in porch outside your home consider these important factors to effectively deal with North Carolina’s changing weather:
1. Managing Heat and Humidity
Summers, especially in North Carolina, can be overwhelmingly hot and humid. In fact, the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information has reported our summers are only getting hotter here.
To create a comfortable porch environment, you actually want to use, you’ll likely need to:
Add Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a great screened porch addition that gives way to air circulation and a cool breeze during sweltering days. Go for outdoor-rated ceiling fans designed to withstand moisture and temperature fluctuations of North Carolina’s summer season.
Create a Ventilated Roofing
Another meaningful screened porch addition is building the outdoor space with materials and designs that allow for proper ventilation. Features like vented ridges or soffits give way to heat, keeping the porch’s temperature cooler and enjoyable.
Use Insulated Materials
Insulated roofing panels that reduce heat and cold transfer throughout the space. It will create a cooler atmosphere during peak summer temperatures and a warm, cozy porch space on cold winter days.
2. Protection from Insects
North Carolina’s warm climate is ideal for many different types of insects, especially mosquitoes and ticks. In fact, did you know that our state reported almost 900 cases of tick- and mosquito-borne illnesses in 2023?
To keep your screened in-porch pest-free and your guests safe during the warm months, you’ll likely want to install:
High-Quality Screening
Buy and install durable, fine-mesh screens that stop even the smallest insects from entering your porch, while allowing for unobstructed views and airflow in your covered porch.
Flawless Sealing
Every time you want to spend your time on the screened-in porch, double-check if all entry points, including doors and joints, are completely sealed to close gaps from where insects might come inside the porch.
3. Installing Durable and Weather-Resistant Materials
Installing materials that resist humidity, rain, and temperature changes can prove crucial for your screened porch construction. Other tips for weather-resistance include:
Using Composite or Treated Wood
These materials resist rot, decay, and insect damage, for a very long period of time. This will give your screened porch the benefit of longevity and minimal maintenance over time.
Investing in Rust-Resistant Hardware
In North Carolina’s humid climate, installing stainless steel or powder-coated fixtures for your screened porch is a smart choice to prevent rust and corrosion.
4. Flooring Options
Next up, we recommend choosing and installing flooring for your enclosed porch that is specifically designed to withstand the frequent moisture and temperature fluctuations typical of North Carolina’s weather.
Here are some examples:
Tile Flooring
Tiles are easy to clean and resistant to moisture, making them a practical and attractive choice for screened-in porches. With a variety of styles, colors, and textures available, you can create a custom look that complements your outdoor space while ensuring durability against North Carolina’s fluctuating weather conditions.
Plus, tile flooring is low-maintenance and helps maintain a cool, comfortable surface even on hot summer days.
Composite Materials Decking
This material mimics the appearance of wood but feels exactly like the real thing, offering the best of both worlds. It provides exceptional durability and resistance to the porch’s other construction elements, reducing the risk of scratches and damage.
Additionally, composite decking is low-maintenance, requiring no sanding, staining, or sealing, making it a long-lasting option that can withstand North Carolina’s changing weather without compromising on style. With its variety of colors and finishes, it allows you to create a natural, sophisticated look that complements any outdoor setting.
Collaborate with Local North Carolina Suppliers
When planning to build a screened-in porch, we’re big advocates of sourcing raw materials from trustworthy local suppliers, just as we do at A&R Remodeling and Construction.
Here are a few North Carolina-based suppliers that can provide you with essential raw materials for your project:
1. Capitol City Lumber Company
Located in Raleigh, Capitol City Lumber Company has been serving the Triangle region since 1947. They offer a wide range of building materials, including lumber, wood siding, hardwoods, molding, wood panels, and hardware. Their vast inventory makes them a one-stop shop for both contractors and homeowners alike.
2. Builder’s Discount Center
With multiple locations across North Carolina, Builder’s Discount Center is renowned for its quality materials at competitive prices. They supply a wide range of products suitable for constructing a screened-in porch, such as treated lumber, plywood, and decking materials.
3. Talbert Building Supply
Serving multiple locations in North Carolina, even Durham and Asheboro, Talbert Building Supply offers a broad range of building materials that you’ll need for your screened porch idea. Their product line includes lumber, decking, and other essential supplies. They are known for their quality products and customer-oriented service.
Get Inspired By Local Screened-In Porches
Not sure where to start? Drawing inspiration from existing porches can give your screened porch ideas a footing in reality. Plus, you might stumble across concepts you hadn’t thought of before that you want to incorporate into your project.
Here are some examples to get you started:
1. Southern Living’s Screened-In Porch Collection
Southern Living has some incredible screened porch ideas that blend traditional Southern charm with modern features and natural light. In this screened porch ideas collection, you’ll find designs that compliment North Carolina’s climate, offering practical ideas on layout, furnishings, potted plants, and decor.
2. Pinterest Collections Featuring North Carolina Porches
For a broader range of screened porch ideas, explore Pinterest boards focused on the region. Here, you’ll find a plethora of ideas with real images featuring various styles and ample inspiration for your home improvement project.
Let’s Turn Your Screen Porch Ideas into Reality
A home improvement project is once in a lifetime undertaking for many. Even a simple screen porch requires in-depth research, thoughtful consideration of budget, design elements, climate, building materials, and collaboration with trusted local suppliers.
With everything in the right place, you can create a screened-in porch that not only withstands North Carolina’s climate shifts but also becomes a rewarding extension of your home.
Get Started With Our Cary, NC Team
At A & R Remodeling and Construction, we’re happy to bring your relaxing space to life with quality craftsmanship. Whether you envision a peaceful screened-in porch, a stylish deck, or any custom outdoor feature, our team in Cary, NC, is here to help. Ready to transform your outdoor living area? For more information, give us a call or email your queries today! We’re eager to discuss your screen and deck ideas.
