Well, as lienhard1 says, there are some practical differences. Yes, you will get more weather in a fully-screened porch, but it has a different feel than a room with a half-screen. You also won't catch the breeze the same way, and the look is very different, inside and out. Where will the porch be located - facing which direction? How will the design of it tie into your house? How will it alter the light coming into the house? What will the flooring structure be - a deck, cement, tile, etc? How do you want to furnish it? Do you want essentially indoor-type furnishings and fabrics, or will this be more of a picnic table-style room? If you think that there is ever a chance that you will want to make it a 3-season room by adding doors/windows, then frame it for that now.
Good luck!

valbar12, we posted your design dilemma on our Facebook Fan page and got some great advice there as well. Check it out here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/houzzcom/129309818805. We can't wait to see what you end up doing with your screened porch!

Hi everyone, thanks so much. We're leaning towards a full screen b/c we feel it will just be prettier from the outside and in. A little nervous b/c we really want wood floors in there, but i heard if we use a wood made to wear okay with the elements (like mahogany) we'll be okay. Some maintenance annually but thinking they'll be really pretty. Applying them in a herringbone patter, probably with a dark walnut stain. Coffering the ceiling with white trim work and dark walnut beadboard in between. Will check out the facebook page, thanks! The porch is in the back of our home, off the kitchen, with lots of privacy so full screen will be fine. Planning on possibly a wrought iron small dining table and not sure yet on what kind of furniture for lounging... thanks again!

p.s. I couldn't access the Facebook Fan page? I just sent a friend request, maybe that's why? Will see what happens.. thanks!

valbar12, copy this link here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/houzzcom/129309818805 and "like" the fanpage. hope that helps!

Valbar: your porch idea sounds beautiful and very classic. How about going with columns at the corners, and a wide, chunky base to match - maybe about 12"h - all the way around? That way you would get a very substantial look but would keep some of the rain splatter out.

Vivenne-- sounds beautiful- any pics to show me exactly what you mean? Hoping our porch comes out nice- want it to be a really warm, welcoming room.
Thanks, love classic!

Hi Lesley, the link still isn't working for me- just takes me to my facebook. Tried searching Houzz on FB and found the page but had to 'request to be a friend" so i did... waiting to see if i get 'accepted' : )

Something like this?
<a href=''></a><a style='text-decoration:none;color:#444;' href=' https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-porch-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_726~s_2107'>traditional porch design</a> by <a style='text-decoration:none;color:#444;' href=' http://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractor/austin'>austin general contractor</a> <a style='text-decoration:none;color:#444;' href=' http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/19350/New-Urban-Home-Builders'>New Urban Home Builders</a>

I don't know why the link isn't showing up when I copy and paste. This has been going on for days.

We are contemplating the same thing and have asked friends and neighbors what they like and dislike. We are leaning to a knee wall as we have little ones and a small dog- they tend to push on the bottom of the screening. We have also been told repeatedly that you get more rain and dust (especially while yardwork is being done) without a knee wall.

Search for houzz.com on facebook and "like" the fanpage - we'll look into why the link isn't working. Thanks for letting us know!

Hi valbar12, I have read all the post and I have to say if you are putting any wood floors in they will have to be repaired from the rain and moisture. Your ideas sound beautiful and If you want to protect your wood floor then a knee high wall with a beadboard stained to match all your other wood work would look very classy and protect the rain from directly coming in. My full screen porch is located off my kitchen and is located in the back of my house which you would not think rain would come in but I can't keep anything dry and it's always a mess when it rains. Because of the problem we are redoing it and adding all windows and french doors with hard wood floors. I hope this helps. Keep us posted and good luck.

Hi- was finally able to "like" the fan page- i think i know why there was a problem. When I tried to like the page, i got an error message saying i couldn't access houzz on FB using a secure server, so i switched to unsecure and i'm good! thanks for all the great advice..not sure what to do yet! Keep the ideas/photos coming-- PLLEASE!!! THAnks!

Try making 2 of your walls full height solid walls, and 2 full screen. The full solid walls should be on the direction that the wind blows in from.