October 2010 Newsletter
It feels like summer has let go and fall is finally here! What a wonderful time of year---with the beauty of the fall foliage, the cool crisp air, and the delicious comfort foods of the season. It's also a great time of year to plan that screened porch or sunroom that you've been contemplating. You might not think that you have very many options to consider, but trust me, there are numerous ways to design these areas that can help you get the most enjoyment from them.
You need clear plans for even the most straight-forward spaces and need to consider a variety of questions—
- How will the space relate to the rest of your home?
- How will you use the space?
- Do you want to incorporate a fireplace?
- Do you want skylights?
- What furniture will you have in your space? — you will want to be sure to make it large enough to accommodate the furniture and have room for traffic flow.
- What type of decking or flooring will you use?
- What type of railing and posts will you use for a screened porch?
- Is the porch ceiling going to be painted or will you need to choose wood to be stained?
- Will the space need recessed or sconce lighting or overhead fans or perhaps even a TV set?
I tend to think outside the typical box-shaped screened porch or sunroom and try to design it in a way that will take advantage of any available views of your landscape. This is very important in making a connection to the outdoors.
For screened porches, I like to use a higher grade screening that not only performs better but looks so much better and does not get "wavy" or stretched out looking. Also, notice the spacing of the posts in the pictures of the two screened porches; you don't have to space them as closely together as you might think which enables a much less obstructed view.
These and other considerations take time to work out, but proper planning will ensure that all your needs and wishes are addressed and will result in an accurate cost estimate so you don't face unwelcome surprises in the middle of a project. We'd love to help you plan and develop your project, and can offer over 30 years of expertise that has resulted in delighted clients and numerous award-winning projects. Our goal is to give you the best "product" while providing the ultimate remodeling experience from the beginning stages to the completion. We have a proven team and processes to ensure that our goal is met with every job we undertake.
