Sorry but the logical place for the porch is infront of the sliders where else would you put it to access?IMO a nice deck would be abetter choice since roof over porch on that level will block all the light coming in the house . In fact unless you put something in front of the sliders you would IMO need to remove the sliders and do windows since that IMO is just an accident waiting to happen. I guess the only place for the screen porch is in front of the blank wall what is behind that wall?

Patricia, I know your opinions about decks, but I don't think you live where I live. The reason I want the screen porch offset is because I don't want to block the light from the sliders. I also live in a mosquito infested state so if I ever want to enjoy my deck after about 4:00 PM in the summer I either need to put on massive amounts of DEET or build a screen porch. If you insist that I can do it with cintronella candles and be fine...I'll just tell you now, no.

Virtually every new house in my area has sliders for a future deck, which is what my entire post is about. I'm not going to rip out brand new sliding doors just because for a few months there will be nothing built there yet. I think we can keep the door locked and be fine. Thanks for your concern though. If you actually look at the pictures I included, there will be an open deck in front of the sliders and a screen porch offset in front of the blank wall.

In your sketch, is the only planned access to the screened porch from outside?

@Mark yes, that's correct.

Basically it's a compromise. I don't want to block light, DH (who grew up in the amazingly bug-less SoCal) wants a screen porch. We couldn't get the builder to move the outside access door and change the sliders to windows, so we're trying to work with what we've got and make everyone happy. I get my light, DH gets his screen porch.

We thought about doing deck on top, screen on bottom, but DH wanted the access upstairs.

I think you have already thought of this in your previous discussion on this topic, but here is a sketch of it to help you visualize.

Thanks Mark, I appreciate it! Yes that's what I wanted when I asked the builder to move the door. We've now extended the kitchen into that space where the door would have been so it's not an inexpensive option to change. DH would've popped a vein if I suggested retrofitting doors in afterwards. I considered maybe doing a short screened section outside the sliders but was concerned that it would be awkward or that it would block too much light. Maybe I could revisit that idea though.

We have a bright sunny screened porch added to our 1910 home 2 yrs ago. there are two skylights, north facing. won wonderful light. the adjacent DR is plenty bright. French doors open into the porch. pics

I love screened porches! Mark's ideas and drawings are spot on, also Trailrunner's screened porch looks great!