Whether you have a screened-in or open porch, sometimes we need to cover the windows. But what is the best way to cover porch windows? We've consulted with experts and brought you a list of 6 great ideas to keep the sun and the wind off you when you're sitting on the porch.
Here are some great ideas for covering your porch windows:
- Indoor/Outdoor Curtains
- Awnings
- Roll Up Blinds
- Cordless Sun Sheers
- Clear Plastic Mosquito Curtains
- Mosquito Netting
Each of these has a unique style, so we'll take a look and you can decide which might suit your porch best. We'll also look at some of the costs involved in enclosing your screen porch and the value a screen porch might add to your home. So please, keep reading.
Great Ideas To Cover Your Porch Windows
Whether you need to block the late afternoon sun or create some privacy from a neighbor, there are multiple reasons to look for coverings for your porch windows. Let's take a look at a few ideas and see how and why they might work for your porch.
1. Indoor/Outdoor Curtains
Just like you'd dress the windows inside your home, you can similarly dress the windows and openings on your covered porch. Curtains are easy to install on either a rod or a rope. The colors are limitless and they come in all sorts of fabrics, lengths, and textures.
Do keep in mind that some sort of water-resistant fabric will be best for this type of application and you want to be able to spray it with a mold cleaning or resistant spray if they stay damp.
These indoor/outdoor drapes are waterproof polyester. They provide blocking from the sun and the wind. The tab tops are easy to slide onto rods or even a simple length of rope or wire could work. Shown here in biscotti, they're also available in black, white, grey, and a darker brown.
Click here for these curtains on Amazon.
2. Awnings
Awnings are available in aluminum and canvas. Typically, canvas awnings are ordered from a local awning company and are custom-made specifically for your application. They can be fixed, manually roll up, or automatically roll up with each choice being slightly more expensive than the previous.
Though they don't totally cover your porch screens, they can stop the sun from slanting in and provide additional protection from driving rains. Plus if you choose colors that highlight your home, they can be quite beautiful.
Some canvas retractable awnings are available to buy in standard sizes and colors.
Click here for this 12' x 10' awning on Amazon.
Aluminum awnings are used for similar reasons and some of these can be bought commercially in standard sizes. They have gotten more beautiful over the years and can be a gorgeous architectural accent that adds additional value to your screened-in porch.
3. Roll Up Blinds
PVC blinds that roll-up is another non-intrusive, low-cost option for porch windows. They're easy to install and roll up out of sight when not in use. When down, they create a perfect screen for nosy neighbors or a great block for sun and rain. Because they are PVC, they will not deteriorate as quickly as some other materials might. This makes them great for a porch location.
These woodgrain blinds look like wood or bamboo but are waterproof PVC. In addition, they have a UV rating of 80% to protect you and your porch furniture from the sun's harmful UV rays.
Click here for these blinds on Amazon.
4. Cordless Sun Sheers
Along the same lines as blinds are cordless sun sheers. These large sheers are made specifically for use on outdoor patio locations. They are cordless and feature easy to use cranks for rolling up and down to protect you and yours from the elements.
Click here for this solar shade on Amazon.
5. Clear Plastic Mosquito Curtains
Perhaps not the most elegant of our solutions, but if you're battling bugs, this is a way to have your outdoor room and stay bite-free. These curtains will roll up and snap out of the way on days you don't need them, but if the bugs are making you batty, simply roll them down.
They will stop the wind flow a bit, but you'll still get the nice bright light of being out of doors. Typically, they are finished off with some waterproof colored canvas at the top and the sides.
6. Mosquito Netting
If you want to combat the mosquitos but don't need to be as enclosed as the total plastic enclosure above, then you might try to use mosquito netting curtains. When drawn, these gauzy curtains allow breezes and sunlight but foil the bugs. The filmy white fabric also blows gently in the breeze which can create a romantic feeling on your porch.
This mosquito netting can be hung around a bed or around your porch. How you install it is up to you.
Click here for this netting on Amazon.
How Much Does It Cost To Put Windows In A Screened-In Porch?
Putting windows into an already screened porch is not a typical practice. Normally people will screen a porch and have a door. The screen itself allows plenty of airflow in and out of the porch so that windows aren't necessary. However, maybe you want some sort of pass-through window where you can hand food or drinks to the back yard without opening a door. Or maybe your screened porch doesn't have a door to the outside but you still want exterior access.
Perhaps the most typical reason to put in windows is if your porch is not screened at all and you want to screen it. Porch windows are sold to fit into porch openings and will come on aluminum frames with windows that are screened. Some will also have glass or plexiglass to keep out the weather.
The typical cost to fit a porch with these types of windows is somewhere between $1,500 to $4,000 for 4 windows. Of course, the larger the porch, the higher the cost.
How Much Does It Cost To Enclose A Porch?
Perhaps you want your porch to be more of a sunroom and be able to use it all year round. Framing in an outdoor porch for this kind of use is expensive but potentially worth it as it gives your house more useable space and perhaps even more "countable" square footage. The average costs to fully enclose a porch are between $15,000 and $22,000.
If you're looking for some inspiration, check out these 18 Enclosed And Screened-In Porch Ideas.
Is A Screened-In Porch Worth The Money?
Because we love to spend time outdoors, most things you do outside of your home will improve its value. And screened-in porches are no exception. These lovely outdoor rooms give us a bug-free, enclosed environment to enjoy a beautiful day. They are safe enough from the weather that you can furnish them with upholstered pieces and other knick-knacks without worrying about those items being ruined.
In general, you can expect to recoup about 75% of the cost of installing your screened-in porch when you go to sell your home. But the real value comes in how much you and your family will enjoy spending time there.
Go Sit On The Porch!
Now that you have the sun out of your eyes and the bugs off your skin, it's time to enjoy that beautiful porch of yours. And if you found this post helpful, please check out a few others here at HomeDecorBliss.com below: