We all love spending time in our backyards: barbecuing on the porch, sitting around the fire pit, or maybe just watching the sunset. Although we treasure it in the summer, during the winter our backyards are often neglected and forgotten about. You spent all that money on decks, porches, pools, and spas but can't even enjoy them half the time. Or can you? How do you make the back of your house more accessible year round? The solution may rest in a simple investment: a new patio enclosure.
An Open and Shut Casing
Patio enclosures can come in many different shapes and styles, but the best part about them is their versatility. Instead of leaving your porch or deck exposed to the elements, by building a frame around it you now have a little shelter from the storm and sun. But this doesn't mean you're sacrificing the feeling of the outdoors either. During the summer it can act as a screened-in porch, allowing you to enjoy the fresh air without getting eaten alive by bugs. During thunderstorms you can watch the rain while still staying dry. And on hot nights, you can move the family "outside" to get some sleep in a naturally ventilated room. But patio enclosures come with the option to close. In the winter all you have to do is shut the windows and you now have a climate controlled sanctuary that can act as any other room in the house, with a great year-round view of the outdoors.
Total Climate Control
To make it more energy efficient, there are a few simple things you should consider as you erect your patio enclosure. Since you're encased in glass a lot of the time, you don't want your porch to have a greenhouse effect. Make sure you invest in some kind of window glazing or shade screens to stop the sun from heating up the house and raising your energy bills. Also, think about installing a doorway into this room so it can be shut off from the rest of the house if necessary. Also, you may want to put in a fireplace or stove so that during the winter you can enjoy the cozy atmosphere while watching the snow fall. This addition is supposed to allow you to use your deck during all seasons but if it's not inviting and welcoming, you'll never end up using it, so make sure you design it in such a way as to make it comfortable and alluring all year round.
Read more: http://www.homeadvisor.com/article.show.Patio-Enclosure-Bringing-the-Outdoors-Inside.14651.html#ixzz2eRkZXHJI
