Homeowners often have a hard time choosing from one porch enclosure to another. This is because they don’t usually understand the differences between them and rightly so since they’re not construction experts. We’ve put together some questions that you should ask and how their answers can influence your decision.

When selecting a porch enclosure, this should be the first question to ask yourself. Different types of sunrooms or patio enclosures have different purposes and benefits. By knowing what you want from the room or how you intend to use it, the decision becomes much easier. If you simply want something to keep the bugs away in the summer, then a screened room is your best bet. Those who want extra space to be used throughout the year should go for a four-season room.

Not all porch enclosures are suitable for all seasons. Screen rooms, for instance, are mainly for summer use. Three-season rooms are great if you intend to use the room in the fall, summer, or spring, but they aren’t so great during the winter. Four-season rooms are amazing all year round and are practically work as an extension of the house.

If you want something to use all year round, then a four-season room is your best option. But these are often more expensive and take longer to build. Screen rooms are cheaper and more suitable if you simply intend to use the patio during the warmer months of the year or you just want to keep the bugs out.

Try to consider all things before starting the construction. Remember that you’ll need to choose the right furniture and window treatments, considering your local weather. The tools used to design a porch enclosure in an area with lots of snow will differ from those used in a hot and humid dominated state.

Don’t forget to consider how much you have in terms of budget. Take care not to plan a design that’s going to cost way over your budget. It’s just as important to not save too much at the expense of ending up with a sunroom that’s made of poor quality materials.

The height of your sunroom or porch enclosure needs to be taken into consideration, as a minimum of 8 feet is recommended. The shape of the roof is essential too because it’s going to impact the drainage of rain and snow.

Solariums and sunrooms are made completely with glass windows in order to keep the natural light in and to allow people indoors from observing nature. Screened-in porches, on the other hand, allow natural air to flow inside while blocking the entry of bugs and insects. Of course, you can always have a combination of walls and screens if that’s your preference. Building a porch enclosure doesn’t require lots of planning, but you still have to take some time to guarantee that you end up with something that looks great and is of high quality.