Screen rooms are a popular solution for outdoor living in the Pacific Northwest, where homeowners can blend indoor comfort with the outdoor experience to create a unique space they can retreat to after a hard day’s work. Here at Patio Covers Unlimited NW, we help our clients craft screen rooms that offer protection, comfort, and beauty. From design considerations and functional features that make a screen room a delightful space, let’s dive into what it takes to build a year-round addition to your outdoor living space.
Planning the Perfect Screen Room:
Crafting a perfect screen room design requires careful consideration and planning. To start, let’s discuss the primary components of all screen rooms.
Picking Your Location:
First, you have the location. In most cases, homeowners attach their screen room to their house, either building one from scratch using an exterior wall of the home or adding one under an existing patio cover. Of course, you also have the option of designing a freestanding screen room, which may be a preferred choice if you have a pool or a unique property feature you want to build next to or around.
Determining Screen Room Size
The second consideration is size and layout. Of course, opportunities for sizing may be limited. For example, the space you have for a townhouse versus a large property will be different. Let’s break it down a bit:
- Small = 8×10 feet: Suitable for a pair of chairs and a small table.
- Medium = 12×12 feet: Suitable for comfortable seating or dining opportunities.
- Large = 16×20 feet: Suitable for various seating, cooking, dining, and entertainment configurations.
- Extra Large = 300+ square feet: Suitable for expansive design options and amenities.
Once you know your size limitations, if any, you can consider the layout. A common mistake we see homeowners make is picking out items after construction is complete, which can minimize their customization options. If you have a specific furniture or appliance set, design, or size in mind, bringing this to the design table is an excellent idea. Not only will this ensure that these components fit into the space, but the layout and flow are also compatible. For example, if you have a family of 5 and want to have al fresco dining in your screened room, that means a suitable dining table and seating will need to fit.
Therefore, we highly recommend analyzing with your entire family on how you plan to use the screen room space. Here are some of the most common ways homeowners use screen rooms:
- Outdoor dining
- Child play zone
- Pet lounge
- Work-from-home office
- Reading nooks
- Guest entertainment
- Workout, yoga, or meditation
- Protected gardening
- Creative studio
- Free time retreat
Remember, screen rooms are more than just an enclosure—it’s a lifestyle upgrade that adapts to your needs year-round.
Factoring in Orientation
The third aspect to consider with screen room design is orientation. Orientation refers to the positioning of the screen room and how human-made and natural elements will influence the overall experience. Common questions to ponder include:
- How will the screen room flow into and out of a home or onto a property?
- How will the sun hit the screen room over the course of the day?
- How will crosswinds flow through the space?
- How will your privacy be affected? Can you be seen from the street or a neighbor’s property?
A property analysis can determine the answers to these questions, allowing you to incorporate the necessary solutions into your screen room design.
Material and Structural Considerations:
The next aspect when designing screen rooms is the material and structural considerations. Here at Patio Covers Unlimited NW, we only offer materials that withstand the diverse weather conditions of the Tri-Cities, ensuring your screen room is both durable and beautiful.
Our sturdy framing is built with solid materials and construction design techniques to withstand the wear and tear of time and Mother Nature’s elements. Combined with roofing and flooring options that enhance usability, homeowners can rest assured they are getting a long-lasting structure.
Homeowners, in addition to choosing the above materials and design for construction, have the opportunity to select between solar screens, fine mesh, or privacy screens for their screen rooms.
Solar Screens are ideal for homeowners looking to block heat and harmful UV rays. Darker and denser than traditional mesh, they block external visibility, decrease interior temperatures, protect from UV damage, and can even improve energy efficiency. We recommend solar screens for homeowners with west-facing screen rooms that want to mitigate intense afternoon heat and protect their furnishings.
Fine Mesh Screens are the ultimate protection from bugs and critters. Subtle and nearly invisible, fine mesh screens provide superior insect protection, increased airflow, and don’t obstruct views. We recommend fine mesh screens for homeowners with incredible views, those near bodies of water, or with heavy insect populations.
Privacy Screens are the best option for enhanced privacy. Tightly woven, these screens obscure visibility into the screen room from neighbors or passersby. We recommend these screens for homeowners who prioritize privacy, especially in urban residential areas or if you have unpleasant neighbors.
Designing for Comfort and Style:
Once you have selected the positioning, size, layout, and construction choices for your screen room design, it is time to consider comfort and style.
First, consider adding various amenities to your screen room to enhance its functionality and comfort. The most common add-ons include ceiling fans, lighting, and outdoor heaters. These amenities increase user comfort and drive greater use. For example, outdoor lighting allows you to safely utilize your screen room no matter the time of day.
Second, you get to add furniture. When selecting furniture for screen rooms, it is essential to balance comfort and weather resistance. While screen rooms protect furniture from the worst of the elements, they are still exposed to fluctuating temperatures, airborne particles (such as dust and pollen), and sideways rain. We recommend selecting furniture rated for outdoor use, especially pieces that are comfortable, meet your usual seating requirements, and offer extra storage.
Remember, it doesn’t have to just be chairs and tables! You can add day beds, egg chairs, hammocks, bar carts, mini fridges, child-sized furniture, pet lounges, plant towers, game tables, standing lamps, and so much more. The possibilities are endless, so let your imagination run a little wild.
Lastly, you can personalize the design to suit your preferred aesthetic. There is a wide range of options for décor in screen rooms. While we won’t list them all, a few of our favorites are:
- Potted plants, hanging planters, and vertical gardens to bring in natural elements.
- Weather-resistant throw pillows, rugs, and blankets to add comfort.
- Accent tables or shelves for placing drinks, books, or knick-knacks.
- Standing or hanging art to add color and personality.
- Holiday decorations to show seasonal spirit and add charm.
The Benefits of Screen Rooms in the PNW:
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are fortunate to have an incredible outdoor environment. Breathtaking views, abundant wildlife, and stunning flora call to us, inspiring curiosity and fun for all ages. However, while spending time outside is amazing, it is not always convenient. Rain, hot sunshine, wandering little ones, and bugs can turn outdoor time from incredible to awful in seconds. Fortunately, with proper design, a screen room can provide you with numerous functional benefits.
Screen rooms are the ultimate protection from the elements while still getting to be “outside” in the fresh air. Hot sun, light rains, heavy wind, and annoying bugs are all reduced or mitigated when you have screen rooms. This not only makes it more comfortable to be outside, but it also allows for extended usability of outdoor spaces through multiple seasons.
An additional benefit that is often overlooked is the safety that screen rooms provide for families. Screen rooms are a safe place where children and pets can be outside safely; they can’t wander off, and nothing can get inside to cause them harm. You can control the environment without having to worry.
Lastly, screen rooms are an excellent investment for your property. If you are considering selling your home in the future, screen rooms offer a secure return on investment. With more homeowners spending time at home, an excellent screen room design can increase your home’s curb appeal and value.
Custom Screen Room Projects with Patio Covers Unlimited NW
Whether you are a family, retiree, or working professional who values both functionality and aesthetic appeal, we at Patio Covers Unlimited NW are here to provide you with a permanent, high-quality home addition that increases your home’s usable space and comfort.
When you work with us, we are with you every step of the way. From the initial consultation to expert design planning sessions and through the final stage of construction, we focus on craftsmanship, local experience, and client satisfaction. We don’t just tell you what’s available; we help you envision how a screen room can improve your lifestyle and what features would best serve this chapter of your life. With the opportunity of high client involvement and tailored screen room designs, our homeowners end up with customized screen rooms that they enjoy for years to come.
Ready to design your ideal screen room? Contact Patio Covers Unlimited NW for expert guidance and a custom solution built for your lifestyle.
