If you love the feeling of being outside in absolute comfort, there is no better solution than a screened-in porch. How much does a screened-in porch cost to install?
It costs roughly $1,500 to $3,600 to install a screened-in porch on an already existing structure. If no structure is in place and a roof, frame, and deck need to be installed, the cost can be as high as $35,000 to $65,000+, including labor and materials.
In this article, we’ll be breaking down the costs that go into installing a screened-in porch so that you can create a budget and plan for your design.
What Is a Screened-in Porch?
There is nothing like spending an afternoon out on your porch. However, as soon as the bugs come out and the weather starts to turn, most people find themselves running into the house for cover.
If you want to enjoy being outside while separating yourself from the external environment, you should consider installing a screened-in porch on your property. A screened-in porch is a part of your home that has been closed off with glass or mesh so that the space is separated from the outdoors.
This is the ultimate solution for homeowners who want to spend time outside without actually being outside. Many people who live in regions with seasonal bugs particularly benefit from having a screened porch, given that they can enjoy the view of their property without getting eaten alive.
In addition, a screened-in porch acts as a barrier between you and the outdoors, preventing debris from entering the space and undesirable weather conditions from dampening your mood.
With that said, there are a ton of different designs and concepts for screened-in porches, which greatly affects their aesthetic, as well as their price tag.
How Much Does a Screened-In Porch Cost?
It’s important to understand that the cost of installing a screened-in porch on your property can greatly vary. You can technically take a project like this as far as you want, depending on what your budget is and how intricate you want the design to be.
On average, you should expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $3,600 to install a screened-in section on an already existing porch with a frame and roof.
However, if you are starting the project completely from scratch, the price can go up dramatically, with most homeowners spending anywhere from $35,000 to $65,000 for the entire build.
You need to consider the current layout of your porch, as this will be essential to determine an estimate for the total costs of installing a screened-in section. The bottom line is that having a structure already in place will save you tens of thousands.
Most homeowners who have a structure in place only need to install a screen around an existing frame and roof. This is usually not a complex or difficult build, which results in many people paying around $8.50 to $12.50 per square foot. This ultimately breaks down to about $1,500 for a small-sized porch that is about 144 square feet.
Factors That Influence the Cost of a Screened-In Porch
Having a comfortable and contained porch at home comes at a price, and for most homeowners, it’s well worth it. With that said, installing a screened porch is by no means cheap, which is why many people are looking for any solutions they can find to cut costs.
The best ways to create a well-constructed budget for a screened porch is to understand all of the expenses that go into this kind of project. Let’s take a closer look at the factors that influence the cost of a screened-in porch.
Materials
If there is one thing that will increase the costs of a screened porch, it’s the materials. There are a lot of different material options to consider for this kind of project.
Some materials are better for insulation and practicality, whereas others simply add to the aesthetic of your porch and home.
When you call up contractors to get a quote for installing a screened-in porch, they will work with you to ensure that you pick materials that are in line with your budget. The cost of each material is usually presented by the square foot so that you can get an idea of how much you will spend based on the size of your porch.
These are some of the most common materials used for screened porches and their costs per square foot:
- Fiberglass – $4.50 to $5.50 per square foot
- Aluminum – $5.00 to $7.00 per square foot
- Solar screens – $4.50 to $7.00 per square foot
- Pressure-treated Wood – $10 to $17 per square foot
Roof & Frame
The existing structure that you have in place around your porch will be a crucial factor for establishing costs and creating a budget. The actual construction required to build the screened section is minor compared to what you will spend on building a roof and frame (if required).
Homeowners who already have a roof and frame on their porches can disregard these costs, provided that the structure is in decent shape. If you do not have a structure for your screened porch, this will require constructing one from scratch, which can easily amount to $6,000 to $20,000+ in expenses to build a roof and frame.
Deck
A key component of any patio is its deck. The good news is that most people with existing patios should already have a deck installed, which cuts your costs down significantly.
While the roof and frame are not always standardized on patios, decks generally are. Provided that you are satisfied with the current condition of your deck and it does not require any upcoming repairs, you can disregard this expense.
However, if you need to renovate the deck or build one from scratch, expect to pay around $7,500+ for the installation.
Labor
The cost of labor can be hard to predict given that each contractor has a different rate for this kind of work. On average, labor prices for installing a screened porch will be around $20 to $40 per hour.
All in all, most homeowners pay an average of $4 to $12 per square foot for labor when installing a screened porch. With that said, you need to consider the specs of the project and the complexity of the build.
If you have specialized requirements for your porch and are working with less common materials, this will often result in a higher price tag. Most contractors give generalized price estimates based on the fact that they are working on similar projects with predictable designs.
Size
Given that virtually all cost estimates are provided per square foot, the size of the porch will greatly impact the total costs. Naturally, the larger the screened porch, the higher the price tag.
A bigger porch requires more materials and more time spent to finalize the project, amounting to more labor. A small-sized screened porch on an already existing structure can actually be a very affordable project, provided that reasonably priced materials are selected.
However, a large screened porch that is 200 to 300 square feet or more, can easily double or even triple your total costs. If you want to save money on your screened-in porch, consider the size of the project before you make any commitments.
Complexity
Some screened-in porches are much more intricate and complex than others. Many homeowners like to put a lot of effort and creativity into these projects, resulting in unique designs and the use of high-end materials.
If the building plans for your screened-in porch are complex, this will reflect in the total costs. A project like this may require specialized contractors that will charge you a premium given that the skill level for the work is more advanced.
Permits
Since a screened-in porch is technically classified as an “addition” to your home, a building permit is generally required before you can start the project.
This is a hidden cost that many homeowners often overlook. So long as your area does not have strict zoning laws, a building permit for a screened-in porch should only cost around $150.
Key Takeaways to How Much a Screened-In Porch Costs
It costs roughly $1,500 to $3,600 to install a screened-in porch on an already existing structure.
If no structure is in place and a roof, frame, and deck need to be installed, the cost of a screened porch can be as high as $35,000 to $65,000+.
The most common materials used for building a screened porch include fiberglass, aluminum, solar screens, and pressurized wood, with prices averaging $4 to $17 per square foot.
