Many people who have a deck, porch or patio wish they were able to enjoy their outdoor living space for more months of the year. Enclosing a deck solves this problem by creating an outdoor living space you can use every season, no matter the weather. Overall, the advantages of an enclosed deck include both practical and aesthetic perks.
If you’re thinking about enclosing a deck, patio or other outdoor space, this ultimate guide to deck enclosures will help walk you through the process. Learn what an enclosed deck is, popular deck enclosure ideas, why an enclosed deck is beneficial and how to get started on building one today.
What Is an Enclosed Deck?
As its name suggests, an enclosed deck is any extension of a house, such as a deck or some type of patio area, that has been closed off in some way from the outdoor elements. This shielded outdoor space is typically used for lounging, dining or entertaining guests. The materials used to enclose the deck or patio will vary depending on the purpose of the enclosed area.
The main types of deck enclosures include:
- Screen room: A screen room involves using lightweight screens to provide an unobstructed view of your yard and the surrounding area. Choosing a screen room will keep bugs out of your outdoor lounge area and allow you to enjoy the space for much of the year, aside from cold, harsh or stormy weather.
- Three-season room: A three-season room is a great solution if you want a bit more protection from the elements than a screen room provides. Because a three-season room is enclosed with insulated glass, it does a better job of keeping out wind, rain and other chilly conditions. With a three-season room, you can enjoy your enclosed deck from spring through fall.
- Four-season room: If you’re looking for an outdoor area you can hang out in all year round, a four-season room is the deck enclosure for you. Featuring insulated glass, roofing and flooring, a four-season room has everything you need to stay comfortable while enjoying your yard’s scenery every month of the year. Some four-season rooms even include HVAC systems to ensure the space stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
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What Are the Benefits of an Enclosed Deck?
If you’re interested in expanding your home’s outdoor living space, consider the following advantages of an enclosed deck:
1. Eliminate Pests and Insects
An enclosed deck helps you enjoy your evenings outdoors more by keeping pesky bugs and insects at bay. By putting a wall or screens between you and pests, an enclosed deck ensures you don’t have to go inside early to avoid getting bit, stung or swarmed by any type of insect. With a deck enclosure, you don’t even need to put on bug spray to relax and hang out in your outdoor area all night.
2. Add Value to Your Home
One of the most persuasive arguments for enclosing your deck or patio is that doing so will add value to your home overall. An enclosed outdoor area can add valuable square footage to your house that you’ll be able to use for most of the year, even all year round. As a bonus, you can typically save on foundation costs if your deck is already up to your local building code requirements.
3. Increase Your Privacy and Security
An enclosed deck or patio provides you with a place where you can enjoy your backyard in private. Especially if you add curtains or blinds to the walls of your enclosed space, you can shield yourself from any outside distractions. Enclosing your deck or patio will also give you extra security and protection from the elements, allowing you to sit and appreciate the outdoors regardless of whether it’s raining, snowing or sweltering hot.
4. Reduce Deck Maintenance
A deck or patio that is not enclosed is constantly exposed to natural damage from harsh weather, nearby trees and general wear and tear. Enclosing this area will save you from having to regularly clean leaves or sticks off of your deck, as well as routinely power washing, painting, staining or sealing your deck. Instead, tree branches, leaves, flower buds, pollen and other debris will stay outside where they belong.
Enclosing your deck or patio also means you will no longer need to take your outdoor furniture or cushions indoors to keep them dry each time it rains. You also won’t have to haul all of your outdoor furniture inside once the summer is over, saving you from having to find the space to store it for the winter.
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5. Gain Usable Space All Year Round
An enclosed deck or patio offers protection from both the cold and the heat, so you can use your outdoor living area even when the weather is unpredictable. An enclosed space that uses insulated glass will allow you to stay cozy in the harshest of winters and cool in the hottest of summers. Using coated glass to enclose your deck will also keep out harmful UV rays so your plants can grow safely without getting burnt and your outdoor furniture will never fade.
How to Enclose a Deck
If the patio or deck you want to renovate is already in good condition, you will have no trouble enclosing the area. While you can use a DIY kit to create your enclosed deck or patio yourself, working with a professional installation service is generally far easier and stress-free. When you partner with a service provider like Maryland Sunrooms, you’ll get to come up with a custom design of a deck enclosure that perfectly fits both your outdoor space and your budget.
Regardless of whether you decide to work with a professional or enclose your deck on your own, make sure you keep these deck enclosure tips in mind:
- Consult your local building codes and zoning laws: You may have to apply for a building permit before beginning to construct your enclosed outdoor area. The exact building codes and zoning laws of an area vary from district to district, so be sure to check with your local building authority before starting on your project.
- Consider space requirements: Although it’s easy to get wrapped up in building the biggest, best enclosed outdoor space possible, make sure your enclosure details fit the specs of your existing deck or patio.
- Boost your home’s curb appeal and resale value: Because an enclosed outdoor area is an investment, you will want to make sure you maximize what you get out of what you put into this home renovation. Working alongside an experienced professional will ensure your deck enclosure increases your home’s aesthetic appeal and property value.
Contact Maryland Sunrooms for Your Deck Enclosure Needs
If you’re ready to bask in all the benefits of having an enclosed deck, let Maryland Sunrooms meet all your deck enclosure needs. We’ll handle any permits and inspections you need to guarantee your deck enclosure is structurally sound.
Contact Maryland Sunrooms to get started on crafting your custom deck enclosure today.
Julie Shetter is the Marketing Director at Maryland Sunrooms. She has over a decade of experience in the home improvement and sunroom industry.