Porch of the Week: Retractable Screens Make This Design Flexible
A design-build firm creates a space where a family can enjoy indoor-outdoor living almost year-round
These Charlotte, North Carolina, parents wanted to stay in their existing home, but with three young children, they needed more space. They enlisted ReVision Design/Remodeling to create a bonus room and a full bathroom on their second floor. “As part of the project, they also wanted to increase their indoor-outdoor living space,” project developer Anna Trakas says. Keeping this in mind, the design-build firm created the perfect space for a porch underneath the new rooms. Clever retractable screens provide flexibility for the space, which includes a gas fireplace.
The house had an existing deck that the design-build firm replaced. Wide stairs create an easy flow from the porch to the backyard. “To stay cost-effective, we used pressure-treated pine for the decking,” Trakas says.
After looking at several stain samples, the homeowners chose a rich medium brown. “This color works really well with the existing color of the home’s bricks,” designer Jeremy Lanier says.
Check out our beginner’s guide to get started on your home project
After looking at several stain samples, the homeowners chose a rich medium brown. “This color works really well with the existing color of the home’s bricks,” designer Jeremy Lanier says.
Check out our beginner’s guide to get started on your home project
The focal point of the porch is a ventless gas fireplace. The fireplace is clad in the same siding the designers used on the second-story addition. This provides a consistent look for the exterior architecture and connects the porch to it.
“These homeowners have great taste, and they chose the furniture,” Trakas says. A large outdoor sectional sofa has room for the whole family and creates a lounge-y vibe. When seated at the dining table, one can enjoy the warmth from the fireplace on cooler nights and views of the backyard. The porch is a great spot not only for gathering but also for keeping an eye on the kids playing in the backyard.
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“These homeowners have great taste, and they chose the furniture,” Trakas says. A large outdoor sectional sofa has room for the whole family and creates a lounge-y vibe. When seated at the dining table, one can enjoy the warmth from the fireplace on cooler nights and views of the backyard. The porch is a great spot not only for gathering but also for keeping an eye on the kids playing in the backyard.
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The porch ceiling is tongue-and-groove paneling. “This was a great choice, because it adds visual interest, it looks nicely finished, and it is weather-resistant,” Lanier says.
In addition to the fireplace, two heaters allow the homeowners to use the porch in winter, while a large ceiling fan keeps the space breezy during Charlotte’s hot summers. These elements allow the homeowners to remain comfortable on the porch almost year-round.
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In addition to the fireplace, two heaters allow the homeowners to use the porch in winter, while a large ceiling fan keeps the space breezy during Charlotte’s hot summers. These elements allow the homeowners to remain comfortable on the porch almost year-round.
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In addition to controlling the climate on the porch, the homeowners needed to control the bugs. During mosquito season, screens are a must. The screens on either side of the fireplace are fixed, but the screens on the other two sides of the porch are retractable. On the widest side of the porch, these screens are installed on the columns on either side and pull out to meet in the middle. One screen covers the right side of the porch.
“These pleated screens are a really cool product,” Trakas says. “They are on a track, and they fold up into themselves like an accordion.” The screens are opened and closed manually, and when the homeowners aren’t using them, they tuck right up next to the columns.
Retractable screens: ZigZag2, Genius
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“These pleated screens are a really cool product,” Trakas says. “They are on a track, and they fold up into themselves like an accordion.” The screens are opened and closed manually, and when the homeowners aren’t using them, they tuck right up next to the columns.
Retractable screens: ZigZag2, Genius
Shop for outdoor products
Here is how the porch looks when completely enclosed by the screens. The deck extends beyond the porch on the right and has room for two lounge chairs.
The porch allows the family to enjoy indoor-outdoor living for most of the year. It also provides an inviting place where they can spend more time outdoors.
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The porch allows the family to enjoy indoor-outdoor living for most of the year. It also provides an inviting place where they can spend more time outdoors.
More on Houzz
Read more stories about porches
Browse thousands of porch photos
Hire a landscape contractor
Shop for your outdoor spaces
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Porch at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their three young children
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Size: 360 square feet (33 square meters)
Design-build firm: ReVision Design/Remodeling
The portion of the home with the gray siding is the addition. The bonus room is a flexible space that the homeowners are using as a playroom, but it also can serve as a bedroom or office when the kids are older or for new owners in the future. The second-story addition also includes a full bathroom. Beneath the addition, the new porch checks all the boxes on the homeowners’ wish list. Elements include a fireplace, TV, dining area and lounge area.
A door between the kitchen and the porch is located next to the two windows on the right. “There’s a really easy flow from indoors to out,” Trakas says.
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