Custom deck and porch combination in Lexington.

A porch or screened porch provides a wealth of benefits to make the most of the time you spend outdoors. From giving you a shady spot to escape the sun, or a pop-up summer shower, to lingering at dusk with no worry of mosquitoes thanks to screens. But what if you could take the benefits you enjoy from your covered porch or screened porch to another level? What if you could use the space to your heart’s content without limitations for three, four or even twelve months throughout the year? Archadeck of Central SC wants you to know that in most cases we can convert your existing open or screen porch to a 3-season, 4-season room or sunroom and extend the use and versatility of your space.

If the idea of a porch-to-outdoor-room conversion sparks your interest, here are some points that will have to be addressed:

Use a professional

It is crucial to hire an outdoor structure professional who is knowledgeable about porches, outdoor structures and conversions. Hiring a professional ensures the safety, quality and satisfaction of your project.

Can your porch take the weight?

The first consideration that has to be addressed is the structural integrity of your existing porch. The substructure must be able to accommodate the weight of added walls, in the case of a covered porch, or windows in the case of a sunroom conversion. In either case, the foundation of the porch will have to extend all the way to the corners of the structure. In cases where the foundation does not extend to the corners, amendments must be made to extend the foundation, and new footers will have to be added in order to safely support and hold the weight. Archadeck of Central SC can perform an inspection to determine whether your porch fits the criteria for a conversion. Depending on these results, we will discuss our recommendations as to how to proceed with getting the porch structurally compatible to withstand a 3-season, 4-season or sunroom conversion.

Previous permitting

South Carolina, like many areas of the country, requires everything a builder does to be properly permitted and inspected. This means the previous structure you have, if it passed inspection, should have been deemed sound as a porch. Even if this is the case, it still may not be structurally sound enough for a conversion. Be aware from the beginning that most builders will only warrant the framed portion of the structure that they build. This means if something goes wrong with the substructure as a result of amendments, you cannot use their warranty anymore. This is why we recommend reinforcing the foundation on all the porches we build.

Interior view of four season room in Columbia, SC.

What suits your fancy?

Once the heavy work has concluded and the structural integrity of your porch is deemed a good candidate for a conversion, the question is what do you want? Deciding which type of outdoor room conversion best suits your needs can be difficult. In most cases, this choice will depend on your budget, geographical location and what you plan to do with the room. For example, a four-season room or sunroom conversion serves as an extension of your home’s living area as well as an extension of your outdoor living area. These outdoor rooms give you unobscured views of nature through the extensive use of windows. Sunrooms can be enjoyed year-round even in the event of snow. A sunroom is considered to be a “conditioned space” because it requires an HVAC system just like that of an interior room addition. A four-season room differs from a sunroom in that it is not considered an interior room addition. However, four-season rooms can be outfitted with amenities that provide comfort, such as ceiling fans, space heaters and the like, which can be turned off when not in use.

Choosing the best fit for your home’s architecture, your desired function and your budget are also important. Archadeck of Central SC is the premier outdoor room builder serving Columbia, SC, and the surrounding area.

We can determine if a porch to outdoor room conversion is the best fit for you. Contact us to learn more by calling (803) 603 – 2160 or email us at centralsc@archadeck.net.